1814-09-23 Will (of William Manning): Phebe, Rachel, Nell, Peter, Jacob, Tom, Hetty, Harry

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00295
Source
Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 42 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 13, 1814-1817)

Hutchinson, Elmer T., ed. Documents Relating to the Colonial, Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey. Archives of the State of New Jersey, 1st series. Vol. 42. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 13, 1814-1817. Trenton, NJ: MacCrellish and Quigley, 1949. Page 272.
Event Description
The will of William Manning of Piscataway, Middlesex County, NJ, was written on September 23, 1814, three days before his death. The will was signed by his mark and witnessed by John Dayton, David Clayton, and Reuben Drake. It was proved on October 10, 1814, by brother Thomas Manning and nephew William B. Manning, executors of the estate. A copy of the will abstract was published in the Calendar of Wills, Vol. 13, 1814-1817.

The will enumerates bequests of thousands of dollars in cash and substantial landholdings in New Jersey and Ohio. William Manning passed most of his estate to his brother Thomas Manning and his nephews William T. Manning (Thomas's son) and William B. Manning (son of brother Benjamin, deceased). He provided substantial support for his wife Anna during her widowhood and made numerous bequests to his sisters and other extended family as well as a gift of $700 to the Presbyterian Church of Metuchen.

William Manning's will mentioned 8 Black people who were enslaved in his household and provided that all of them should gain freedom at a future date, except for Phebe, who was an older woman (likely over the age of 40 and too old to be legally manumitted). Phebe would live with Manning's wife Anna, and $52 annually was set aside to support Phebe from Manning's estate. Manning also left money for four of the enslaved people mentioned, which would be paid to them when they were liberated.

The following is a list of provisions related to all of the enslaved people mentioned in William Manning's will: to wife Anna, "$52 yearly for the support of my black woman, Phebe, during her life," also "time of my girls Rachel and Nell and the boy, Peter, until they are liberated." Additionally, "Negro boys, Jake and Tom, to be liberated on May 1, 1818; Peter on May 1, 1830, and Rachel and Hetty and the little boy, Harry, when they become 25 years. Nephew, William T. Manning, to have Peter and Nell after death of my wife until they are free. Jake and Tom to have $100 each, when freed, and Rachel and Hetty to have $50 as soon as Executors see fit."
Event Type
Will
Date
September 23, 1814
Location of Event
Piscataway
Following Event
1814-10-15 Manumission: Hetty
1814-10-15 Manumission: Jacob
1814-10-15 Manumission: Tom
1814-10-15 Manumission: Rachel
Primary Participants

Phebe
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00740
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Older Person
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
- Anna Merrill Manning
Verbatim description from source:
"my black woman, Phebe"
Comment: provided to wife Anna $52 yearly for the support of Phebe for life

Rachel (b. ca. 1790)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00736
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 24
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
- Anna Merrill Manning
Verbatim description from source:
"my girl Rachel"
Comment: to be liberated at age 25 and to receive $50, to serve wife Anna until liberated

Nell
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00738
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
- Anna Merrill Manning
- William T. Manning
Verbatim description from source:
"my girl Nell"
Comment: to be liberated at age 25, and until then to serve wife Anna, and after Anna's decease to serve nephew William T. Manning

Peter
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00739
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
- Anna Merrill Manning
- William T. Manning
Verbatim description from source:
"boy Peter"
Comment: to be liberated on May 1, 1830, and until then to serve wife Anna, and after Anna's decease to serve nephew William T. Manning

Jacob (b. ca. 1792)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00742
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 22
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro boy Jake"
Comment: to be liberated on May 1, 1818, and to have $100 when freed

Tom (b. ca. 1792)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00743
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 22
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro boy Tom"
Comment: to be liberated on May 1, 1818, and to have $100 when freed

Hetty (b. ca. 1791)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00744
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 23
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
Verbatim description from source:
"Hetty"
Comment: to be liberated at age 25 and to receive $50

Harry
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00741
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Child
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- William Manning (1740-1814)
Verbatim description from source:
"the little boy, Harry"
Comment: to be liberated at age 25
Additional Participants

William Manning (1740-1814)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00198
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Anna Merrill Manning
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00229
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: wife of the testator

William T. Manning
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00735
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary

Thomas Manning (1753-1819)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00231
Role: Executor or Administrator

William Benjamin Manning (1786-1847)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00232
Role: Executor or Administrator
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event