Violet (b. 1782)

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This person of African descent has 1 related event in the database, listed at the bottom of this page.
Identifier
NJS-PER-01401
Given Name
Violet
Birth Date
1782
Sex
Female
Biographical Description
Violet was a Black woman, born around 1782, who was enslaved by Ezekiel Smith Sr. (1736-1804) of West Windsor, NJ. Ezekiel Smith Sr.'s last will and testament stipulated that Violet should be manumitted when she reached age 33. Violet was about 22 years old when Ezekiel Smith Sr. died in October 1804. After Ezekiel Smith Sr.'s death, Violet would go on to serve Smith's widow Elizabeth Jackson Smith (1746-1816) until Elizabeth's death. Violet finally attained freedom on May 3, 1817, when Ezekiel Smith Jr. (the son, heir, and executor of the will of Ezekiel Smith Sr.) filed manumission documents with Middlesex County officials. The manumission documents indicate that Violet was 35 years old by that time, so it appears that Ezekiel Smith Jr. held Violet in bondage two years longer than his father's will instructed.
Keywords
African descent person
Places
West Windsor
Enslaved by
Ezekiel Smith Sr. (1736-1804)
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
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Resource class
Agent