1795-07-03 Advertisement: American Black man

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01046
Source
Slave sale ad for a Black man, by Mr. Bovis

Slave sale ad for a Black man, by Mr. Bovis, "FOR SALE," Daily Advertiser, July 4, 1795, p. 3.
Event Description
On July 3, 1795, Mr. Bovis published a notice for the sale of a farm and an enslaved Black farm worker. The location of the farm was indicated as "in Pleasant Valley, one mile from Princeton." The ad referred to the Black man as "an American negro" thus indicating that he was born in North America (rather than brought to New Jersey from Africa or the Caribbean).

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Transcript of the source document:

"FOR SALE,
A FARM situated in Pleasant Valley, one mile from Princeton, containing 172 acres of Land, viz 30 in wood, 40 in thick meadow, the rest grain ; a large commodious house, lately put in repair with out out houses, a good garden, and orchard well stocked ; a chaise, wagons. 5 horses, 2 yoke oxen, some cows and young calves a flock of sheep, pigs turkeys, geese, fowls, and pigeons, fanning and garden utensils, a carpenters chest of tools, and an American negro, who is well acquainted with the business of a farm ; the whole in the best state, and a good crop on the premises, consisting of corn, barley, wheat, oats, hay, flax, and potatoes, with sufficient supply of water. To prevent trouble, about 2000l. Is expected for the same. Terms of payment, will be made agreeable to the purchasers. For further particulars, apply to Mr. Bovis, the proprietor, or the estate, or to Mr. Johnson, Attorney, at Mr. Robert’s Stockton, near Princeton New Jersey.
July 3"
Event Type
Advertisement
Date
July 3, 1795
Location of Event
Princeton
Primary Participants

American Black man
Role: Advertised Person
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Mr. Bovis
Verbatim description from source:
"an American negro, who is well acquainted with the business of a farm"
Additional Participants

Mr. Bovis
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02480
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser

Mr. Johnson
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02482
Role: Agent for Enslaver
Record Contributor
Indy Davis
Princeton & Slavery Project
Resource class
Event