1814-08-18 Will (of Gerardus Beekman): Thomas Titus, Charlotte Titus
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-00480
- Source
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Will of Gerardus Beekman, South Brunswick, NJ
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Will of Gerardus Beekman, South Brunswick, NJ, August 18, 1814.
- Event Description
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Will of Gerardus Beekman of South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, was signed on August 18, 1814. A codicil was added on May 27, 1818. The will was proved on March 27, 1822, after the decease of Gerardus Beekman.
Item 3 mentioned Charlotte, a Black girl who had the status of a slave for a term in the Beekman household. The will stipulated that Charlotte should serve Beekman's wife Jane Beekman until she was eligible for emancipation. Item 5 recorded Beekman's promise to manumit a Black man named Thomas upon the expiration of a 15-year term which began on March 1, 1802 (i. e. on March 1, 1817). Additional research has confirmed that the man mentioned is Thomas Titus, and the girl is his daughter Charlotte Titus. Gerardus Beekman was still alive at the expiration of Thomas's term of service, and he made good on his promise to manumit Thomas during his lifetime.
The following is a transcript of the relevant passages from the will:
"3rd. I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Beekman the sum of Eight hundred dollars, to be paid unto her by my Executors, as soon as my property can be sold, or as soon as possibly can be done — I also bequeath unto he said Jane Beekman my wife, one of the best feather beds, with all its furniture, also my writing desk, the largest dining Table, the looking glass, half a dozen silver tea spoons, and the negro girl Charlotte to serve until free by law.
...
5th. I will that my negro man Thomas shall have his freedom after serving my heirs, or any man he shall choose, so long a time as to make fifteen years from the first day of March Eighteen hundred and two." - Event Type
- Will
- Date
- August 18, 1814
- Location of Event
- South Brunswick
- Preceding Event
- 1802-03-01 Term Indenture / Promise to Manumit: Thomas Titus
- Primary Participants
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Thomas Titus (ca. 1785-1849)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01080
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 29
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Gerardus Beekman (1736-1822)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro man Thomas"
Comment: to be liberated on March 1, 1817, and until then to serve "my heirs, or any man he shall choose"Charlotte Titus (b. 1805)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00920
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 8
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Gerardus Beekman (1736-1822)
- Jane Beekman (1755-1841)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro girl Charlotte"
Comment: to serve wife Jane Beekman until age of emancipation by law (21) - Additional Participants
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Gerardus Beekman (1736-1822)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00282
Role: Enslaver, TestatorJane Beekman (1755-1841)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01293
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: wife of Gerardus Beekman to inherit Charlotte - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker