1730 Sale: Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00023
Source
A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, As Related by Himself

Gronniosaw, James Albert Ukawsaw. A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, As Related by Himself. Bath, Somerset, England: Printed by W. Gye in Westgate-Street, and sold by T. Mills, Bookseller, in King’s-Mead Square, 1772. Page 12.
Event Description
According to Ukawsaw Gronniosaw's autobiography, his enslaver "Mr. Vanhorn" sold him to "Mr. Freelandhouse" for 50 pounds. The date of this sale event is approximate; it would have taken place in the late 1720s or early 1730s.

See p. 12 in Gronniosaw's book:
"Mr. Freelandhouse, a very gracious, good Minister, heard it, and he took a great deal of notice of me, and desired my master to part with me to him. He would not hear of it at first, but, being greatly persuaded, he let me go, and Mr. Freelandhouse gave £50. for me."

Historians have definitively identified the Rev. Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen as the purchaser (Mr. Freelandhouse). Research by Ryan Hanley and Helene van Rossum identified Cornelius Van Horne as the likely seller. See Van Horne's biographical profile for additional information about him and his connection with Frelinghuysen that makes him the likely subject of Gronniosaw's narrative.

As the result of this sale, Gronniosaw moved from Cornelius Van Horne's plantation, which was located adjacent to the Raritan Church (present-day area of Finderne in Bridgewater, Somerset County), to Rev. Frelinghuysen's home near the Three Mile Run Church.
Event Type
Sale
Date
1730
Date Certainty
Approximate
Location of Event
Finderne, Bridgewater (formerly Raritan)
Three Mile Run, New Brunswick
Primary Participants

Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (ca. 1710-1775)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00350
Role: Sold Person
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Cornelius Van Horne (1693-1770)
- Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1747)
Additional Participants

Cornelius Van Horne (1693-1770)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00352
Role: Enslaver, Seller

Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1747)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00351
Role: Enslaver, Buyer
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Helene van Rossum
Resource class
Event