1829-04 Transfer: Ager Welch

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01978
Source
Quitclaim deed for Jane alias Agar Welch, by the heirs of David Sheppard

Quitclaim deed for Jane alias Agar Welch, by the heirs of David Sheppard, 1829. Archival location: Cumberland County Historical Society. Archive File S39.
Event Description
A young Black woman named Jane alias Ager Welch was enslaved by David Sheppard, who died in 1827. Ager Welch would have likely resided in the David Sheppard House in Bridgeton or his house in rural Fairfield Township (both houses still exist today). David Sheppard died without a will and left a large estate with multiple properties throughout Cumberland County, including the two aforementioned houses and several farms. Following David Sheppard's death, his heirs divided up his large estate and decided that Ager Welch would henceforth serve Ercuries L. Sheppard, one of David Sheppard's sons. The other heirs signed a quitclaim deed in April 1829, giving Ercuries L. Sheppard all rights to hold Jane in slavery in his household.

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Transcript of the source document:

"Know all men by these present that we Joseph Sheppard, Thomas Bilderback, Gideon Flanagin, William Walker all of the county of Salem in the State of New Jersey and Providence L. Sheppard, Isaac Sheppard and Mary Hann of the county of Cumberland and State aforesaid do severally for a valuable consideration the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged release and forever quit-claim unto Ercurious L. Sheppard all our right title and interest of in and to a certain coloured female servant named Jane Alias Agar Welch late the property of David Sheppard of the county of Cumberland aforesaid who died Intestate, the said Ercurious L. Sheppard to have and enjoy the use & service of said servant free from all interruption or molestation from us the said Joseph Sheppard, Thomas Bilderback, Gideon Flanagin, William Walker, Providence L. Sheppard, Isaac Sheppard, & Mary Hann provided the said Ercurious L. Sheppard shall forever hereafter
save us harmless from all costs & charges that may in any wise accrue relating to said
servant ~ In Witness whereof we have hereunto severally set our hands & seals the [blank space] Day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty Nine ~

Joseph Sheppard
Thomas (his X mark) Bilderback
William S Walker
Gideon S Flanagin
Mary Hann
Isaac A Sheppard
Providence L Sheppard

Signed Sealed & delivered
in presence of
by Joseph Sheppard and Thomas Bilderback } Ellis Ayres
also by William S Walker and Gideon S Flanagin in presence of } Ellis Ayres

[verso]
Ercurious L. Sheppard

The Ares of David Sheppard
to Ercuries L Sheppard
respecting a servant girl"
Event Type
Transfer
Date
April 1829
Location of Event
David Sheppard House, Bridgeton
David Sheppard House, Fairfield
Primary Participants

Ager Welch (b. 1813) {alias Jane}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05495
Role: Transferred Person
Age: 16
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- David Sheppard (1757-1827)
Verbatim description from source:
"coloured female servant named Jane Alias Agar Welch late the property of David Sheppard of the county of Cumberland aforesaid who died Intestate"
Additional Participants

David Sheppard (1757-1827)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05490
Role: Enslaver, Deceased
Comment: former enslaver whose estate is being divided

Ercuries L. Sheppard (1793-1859)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05498
Role: Enslaver, Acquiring Heir
Comment: new enslaver

Joseph Sheppard (1786-1838)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05499
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

Thomas Bilderback (1797-1858)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05500
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

William Sheppard Walker (1806-1864)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05501
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

Gideon S. Flanagin
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05506
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

Mary Sheppard Hann (1800-1885)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05502
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

Isaac Alpin Sheppard (1806-1863)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05503
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

Providence L. Sheppard (1788-1860)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05504
Role: Releasing Heir
Comment: signed quitclaim

Ellis Ayres
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05507
Role: Witness
Comment: signed as witness for the heirs who lived in Salem County
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event