1810-06-27 Term Indenture / Promise to Manumit: John Leake
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01972
- Source
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Indenture agreement for John Leake, son of Jack Leake, to serve William Garrison and Ruth Leake Garrison for 10 years
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Indenture agreement for John Leake, son of Jack Leake, to serve William Garrison and Ruth Leake Garrison for 10 years, June 27, 1810. Archival location: Cumberland County Historical Society. Archive File L5.1.
- Event Description
-
On 27 June 1810, a Black man named Jack Leake signed an agreement with William Garrison and Ruth Leake Garrison (William's wife) pertaining to Jack's son John, who was 14 years old at this time. The agreement stipulated that John, who had been born into slavery, would serve the Garrisons for another 10 years from the date of the agreement, and that he would be set free on 27 June 1820 at the age of 24. The agreement was signed in Deerfield, Cumberland County.
The Garrisons were the heirs of Nathan Leake Esquire (Ruth's father), who had died in 1790, freeing Jack by his will. While Jack had been free since 1790, Jack's wife and children remained the property of the estate of Nathan Leake, and Jack worked throughout his life to secure freedom for his family. This indenture agreement with a promise to manumit John was one of the documents that helped secure freedom for Jack's sons. The agreement effectively changed 14-year-old John's status from a slave for life into the status of an indentured servant or apprentice. Along with his freedom at the end of his term at age 24, John was to receive clothing apparel and a holiday suit.
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Transcript of the source document:
"A Memorandon of an Agreement made this 27th Twenty Seventh day of June one Thousand Eight Hundred and ten 1810 Between William Garrison & Ruth his wife of the Township of Deerfield in the County of Cumberland State of New Jersey of one part and Jack Leake of County and State aforesaid of the other part —
Witnesseth that Whereas John the Son of Said Jack Leake and Hannah his wife negros Slaves - of Nathan Leake Esqr decd and that the said John was Born a slave and is now the property of said William Garrison and Ruth his Wife the heirs of Nathan Leake Esqr decd and as the said John is now this day fourteen years of age and now living with said William Garrison and Ruth his wife; Now these are to certify that the said William Garrison and Ruth his wife both agree with the said Jack Leake to set the said John his Son free when he Shall arrive to the age of Twenty four years old which will be in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty 1820 and at the expiration of said term to give to said John one suit of apparel set for Holiday ware beside his usual wareing cloaths. To which Terms the said Jack Leake acknowledged himself to be fully content and satisfied as witness our hands the day and year first above mentioned.
William Garrison
Ruth Garrison
Jack Leake X his mark
In the presence of
Hetty Lummis
Hannah Leake
For Jack to Keep
[verso]
Artical of agreement
between
Wm Garrison & wife and Jack Leake
June 27th 1820 John Leak will be free" - Event Type
- Term Indenture
- Promise to Manumit
- Date
- June 27, 1810 – June 27, 1820
- Location of Event
- Deerfield
- Preceding Event
- 1790-12-20 Will (of Nathan Leake): Jack Leake
- 1791-11-21 Sale / Promise to Manumit: Tubel Leake
- 1793-04-18 Sale / Manumission: George Leake
- 1799-06-14 Manumission: Hannah Leake
- Following Event
- 1814-03-21 Term Indenture: Thomas Leake
- Primary Participants
-
John Leake (b. ca. 1796)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04428
Role: Indentured Person
Age: 14
Status: Transition
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Garrison (1747-1819)
- Ruth Leake Garrison (1776-1823)
Verbatim description from source:
"John the Son of Said Jack Leake and Hannah his wife negros / the said John is now this day fourteen years of age and now living with said William Garrison and Ruth his wife"
Comment: to be free in 10 yearsJack Leake
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04423
Role: Parent
Age category: Adult
Status: Free
Comment: father of John, signed indenture agreementHannah Leake
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04425
Role: Parent
Age category: Adult
Status: Free
Comment: wife of Jack Leake and mother of John - Additional Participants
-
William Garrison (1747-1819)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04431
Role: Enslaver, GrantorRuth Leake Garrison (1776-1823)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04430
Role: Enslaver, GrantorNathan Leake (1728-1790)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04424
Role: Former Enslaver Mentioned
Comment: deceasedHetty Lummis
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05482
Role: WitnessHannah Fithian Leake (1742-1824)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04421
Role: Witness - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker