1802-09-14 Manumission: Richard

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Identifier
NJS-EVE-00063
Source
Middlesex County Manumissions and Removals, page 39

Manumission of Richard (certificate dated 1802-09-14), recorded in Manumissions and Removals Book, p. 39. Middlesex County (N.J.) Records, 1688-1929, Vol. XI (MC 784.1). Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.
Event Description
Richard was manumitted by Miles Smith of Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Piscataway (David Coriell Jr., Edward Griffith) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Abraham Schuyler, Elijah Phillips) on September 14, 1802. The document stated that Richard was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. Richard's exact age was not recorded in the document. This manumission was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on November 1, 1802.

Richard was described in the manumission certificate as a "servant" rather than "slave." The use of the term "servant" here suggests that Richard likely negotiated a limited term indenture agreement with Miles Smith at the conclusion of which Richard expected to gain his freedom.
Event Type
Manumission
Date
September 14, 1802
Location of Event
Piscataway
Primary Participants

Richard
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00508
Role: Manumitted Person
Age category: Adult
Status: Transition
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Miles Smith
Verbatim description from source:
"servant named Richard "
Additional Participants

Abraham Schuyler
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00055
Role: Judge

Elijah Phillips
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00056
Role: Judge

David Coriell Jr.
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00026
Role: Overseer of the Poor

Edward Griffith
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00025
Role: Overseer of the Poor

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

Miles Smith
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00064
Role: Enslaver, Manumitter
Record Contributor
Isaac Guzmán
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event