1811-06-09 Manumission: Robert

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Identifier
NJS-EVE-00655
Source
Middlesex County Manumissions and Removals, page 161

Manumission of Robert (deed dated 1791-05-20), recorded in Manumissions and Removals Book, p. 161. Middlesex County (N.J.) Records, 1688-1929, Vol. XI (MC 784.1). Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.
Event Description
A copy of the manumission deed for Robert appears in Middlesex County records on p. 161.

The deed was originally issued on May 20, 1791, when Robert was near one year old. In this document, enslaver Elijah Pound of Middlesex County promised Robert freedom when he attained age 21, which would be on June 9, 1811. The document was witnessed by Esther Pound and Jean Runyon. On November 3, 1812, Jean Fitz Randolph (late Jean Runyon), acknowledged the authenticity of the document before judge John Fitz Randolph, who notarized a copy of the document. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) two years later on December 13, 1814.

The locality is not listed in the document related to Robert, but local history records show that the Pound family as well as the parties who witnessed and acknowledged the document are associated with Piscataway.

The following is a transcript of the document as recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk:

"I Elijah Pound of the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey do hereby set free from Bondage my black boy named Robert when he shall arrive at twenty one years which will be on the ninth day of the sixth month Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eleven and do for my self my executors and administrators release unto the said black boy Robert all my right and all claim whatsoever as to his person or to any estate he may acquire hereby declaring the said black boy Robert absolutely free without any interruption from me or any person claiming under me. - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of the fifth month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.-

Sealed and delivered in the presence }
of Esther Pound - Jean Runyon }

Elijah Pound


I Jane Randolph late Jane Runyon do solemnly declare and affirm that I saw Elijah Pound the grantor of this writing sine and seal this instrument and seal it for the yous and purpos therein contained.

Done before me this third day of November 1812 John F. Randolph Justice }

Jean Fitz Randolph"
Event Type
Manumission
Date
June 9, 1811
Location of Event
Piscataway
Related Event
1791-05-20 Promise to Manumit: Robert
Primary Participants

Robert (b. 1790)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01373
Role: Manumitted Person
Age: 21
Status: Transition
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Elijah Pound
Verbatim description from source:
"black boy named Robert"
Additional Participants

Elijah Pound
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00236
Role: Enslaver, Manumitter

Esther Pound
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01742
Role: Witness

Jean (or Jane) Runyon Fitz Randolph
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01760
Role: Witness

John Fitz Randolph
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00133
Role: Judge

William Philips Deare (d. 1826)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00008
Role: County Clerk
Record Contributor
Isaac Guzmán
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event