Clara Harris (b. 1812)
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This person of African descent has 1 related event in the database, listed at the bottom of this page.
This person is related to Rutgers University history. See our research guide Rutgers University & Slavery for more information about finding university affiliates and archival sources in our database.
- Identifier
- NJS-PER-00010
- Given Name
- Clara
- Family Name
- Harris
- Birth Date
- September 14, 1812
- Sex
- Female
- Biographical Description
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Clara was a woman of African descent who was born in New Brunswick, NJ, on September 14, 1812, to parents Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Clara's parents were both enslaved at the time of Clara's birth, but Ambo would eventually become free when enslaver John Neilson manumitted her.
Clara's birth was reported to the Middlesex County Clerk by enslaver John Neilson, who was the legal owner of her mother Ambo. Under New Jersey's gradual abolition law, Clara was considered a "slave for a term" of 21 years, and she was bound to serve John Neilson and his heirs until the year 1833 when she would become eligible for emancipation.
Clara was the oldest of Ambo and Mark Harris Sr.'s four children. Her younger siblings were Ann, Eliza, and Mark Jr. - Keywords
- African descent person
- Rutgers University history
- Places
- New Brunswick
- Enslaved by
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John Neilson (1745-1833)
- Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker
- Linked Events
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Primary Participant in:
- 1812-09-14 Birth: Clara Harris (Role: Child)