1816-10-15 Sale: Mark Harris Sr.

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00016
Source
Bill of sale for Mark, sold by Benjamin Taylor to James Neilson

Bill of sale for Mark, sold by Benjamin Taylor to James Neilson, October 15, 1816. Archival location: Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries. Neilson Family Papers, 1768-1908 (MC 933). Box 4, Folder 45: J & J Neilson - Papers relating to purchase of slaves.
Event Description
Benjamin Taylor sold Mark (Mark Harris Sr.) to James Neilson for $200 on October 15, 1816. The buyer and seller both lived in New Brunswick, NJ. William P. Deare and Joseph Dunn signed the bill of sale as witnesses. The bill of sale describes the enslaved man as a "mulatto slave" and does not list Mark's last name. Other archival documents indicate that Mark's family name was Harris.

Mark was approximately 25 years old at this time. As part of the slave sale contract, James Neilson promised to manumit Mark "at the expiration of five years from the date 12 March 1816." The mention of the 5-year term suggests that Mark probably entered into a 5-year agreement with Benjamin Taylor and was promised his freedom before he was sold to James Neilson.

Five years prior to this sale event, Mark Harris Sr. married to Ambo, an enslaved woman in the Neilson household. Ambo and Mark Harris had several children together. When James Neilson purchased Mark Harris, the Harris family was unified in the Neilson household, and Mark could come live with his wife and children who also served the Neilsons.

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The following is a complete transcript of the bill of sale:

[FRONT PAGE]

Know all men by these presents, that I Benjamin Taylor Junr of the city of New Brunswick in the state of New Jersey, Mariner, for the sum of two hundred dollars to me in hand paid by James Neilson of the city and State aforesaid, Merchant, have and do bargain and sell unto the said James Neilson his executors administrators and assigns my mulatto slave called and known by the name Mark aged about twenty five years; To have and to hold the said slave Mark to the said James Neilson his executors administrators and assigns forever; and I have this day delivered the said slave into the posesion of the said James Neilson and I do warrant and will defend the said James Neilson in the peaceable posesion of said slave against me and all persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

Benjn Taylor

Sign sealed & delivered in the presence of } Wm P. Deare

[BACK PAGE]

I do hereby covenant and engage to and with the written named Benjn Taylor Jnr his executors administrators & assigns that at the expiration of five years from the date 12 March 1816 I will manumit and set free the written named Mark from slavery and servitude. —Witness my hand & seal this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

James Neilson

Sign sealed & delivered in the presence of } Joseph Dunn
Event Type
Sale
Date
October 15, 1816
Location of Event
New Brunswick
Following Event
1821-07-28 Manumission: Mark Harris Sr.
Primary Participants

Mark Harris Sr. (b. 1791)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00014
Role: Sold Person
Age: 25
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Benjamin Taylor Jr.
- James Neilson (1784-1862)
Verbatim description from source:
"mulatto slave called and known by the name Mark aged about twenty five years"
Additional Participants

Benjamin Taylor Jr.
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00017
Role: Enslaver, Seller

James Neilson (1784-1862)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00009
Role: Enslaver, Buyer

William Philips Deare (d. 1826)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00008
Role: Witness

Joseph Dunn
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01774
Role: Witness
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event