1756-09-02 Sale: Caesar

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01051
Source
Bill of Sale for Caesar, sold by John Livingston to Aaron Burr Sr

Bill of Sale for Caesar, sold by John Livingston to Aaron Burr Sr, September 2, 1756.
Event Description
On September 2, 1756, Aaron Burr Sr bought an enslaved Black man named Caesar from John Livingston of New York. At this time, Aaron Burr Sr was serving as the president of Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey). In consequence of this sale, Caesar would relocate from New York to Princeton.

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Transcript of the source document:

"Know all Men by these Presents, That I John Livingston of the City of New York Merch. For and in Consideration of of the Sum of Eighty Pounds Current money of the Province of New York to me in Hand paid at and before the Ensealing and Delivery of these Presents, by The Rev. Mr. Aaron Burr President of the College of New Jersey the Receipt whereof I do hearby acknowledge, and myself to be therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid: Have Granted, Bargained, Sold, Released, and by these Presents do fully, clearly, and absolutely grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Mr. Aaron Burr his heirs assigns a Certain Negro Man named Caesar.

To Have and to Hold the said Negro Man Caesar unto the said Mr. Aaron Burr his Executors, Administrators and Assigns for ever. And I the said John Livingston for Myself, my Heirs, Executors Administrators, do covenant and agree to and with the above - named Aaron Burr His Executors, Administrators and Assigns, to warrant and defend the Sale of the above - named Negro Man named Caesar against all Persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof I hereunto set my Hand and Seal Second Day of September Annoq; Dom. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Six

Jno Livingston [seal]

Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of
Jos. Forman
John G. Lansing"
Event Type
Sale
Date
September 2, 1756
Location of Event
New York City, New York
President's House (Maclean House at Princeton University)
Primary Participants

Caesar
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02506
Role: Sold Person
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- John Livingston (1709-1791)
- Aaron Burr Sr. (1716-1757)
Verbatim description from source:
"A Negro Man named Caesar"
Additional Participants

John Livingston (1709-1791)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02505
Role: Enslaver, Seller

Aaron Burr Sr. (1716-1757)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02507
Role: Enslaver, Buyer

John G. Lansing
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02508
Role: Witness

Joseph Forman
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02509
Role: Witness
Record Contributor
Larissa Jimenez Gratereaux
Princeton & Slavery Project
Resource class
Event