Title

1818-08-04 Removal: Charles

Identifier

NJS-EVE-00265

Source

Middlesex County Manumissions and Removals, page 273

Removal certificate for Charles (1818-08-04) recorded in Manumissions and Removals Book, p. 273. Middlesex County (N.J.) Records, 1688-1929, Vol. XI (MC 784.1). Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.

Event Description

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Redford Jobs to remove Charles, an enslaved man aged 22, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on August 4, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (John Smith and Joseph McChesney). The document stated that Charles was examined by the judges and consented "to remove and go out of this State to Charleston in the State of Virginia and there to serve for life." The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 5, 1818.

The certificate does not state the name of the enslaver whom Charles would "serve for life" in Charleston (which is located in present-day West Virginia). A typical removal certificate would either explicitly state that the original enslaver intended to relocate and bring the enslaved person along, or else record the name of the new enslaver who would be holding the person in bondage henceforth (usually as the result of a sale). However, this certificate does not provide such information. Thus, the circumstances of Charles's relocation out of New Jersey are uncertain. Redford Jobs was a long-time resident of New Jersey (around the area of West Windsor), and it appears likely that he did not leave New Jersey, but rather sold Charles out of the state.

Event Type

Legal: Removal registration

Date

4 August 1818

Location of Event

West Windsor

County (Modern)

Mercer

County (Historical)

Middlesex

Related Place

Charleston, WV

Primary Participant

Charles (b. 1796)

Enslaver

Redford Jobs

Additional Participant

Joseph McChesney

John Smith [Judge of Common Pleas]

William Philips Deare (d. 1826)

Participant Details

DETAILS FOR PRIMARY PARTICIPANTS:

*** Charles (b. 1796) ***
Role: Relocated Person
Age: 22
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Redford Jobs
Verbatim description from source:
"male slave named Charles aged twenty two years"

==========

DETAILS FOR OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

Redford Jobs
Role: Enslaver - Original or Previous (testified to obtain removal certificate)

Joseph McChesney
Role: Judge

John Smith [Judge of Common Pleas]
Role: Judge

William Philips Deare (d. 1826)
Role: County Clerk

Research Guide

Research Guide: Understanding Interstate Slave Trade & Kidnapping Documents

Browse Records

Browse: Removal Records Index

Record Contributor

Jesse Bayker