1821-07-28 Manumission: Mark Harris Sr.

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01091
Source
Somerset County Register of Black Children, Manumissions, and Removals, Book A, Page 279
Somerset County Register of Black Children, Manumissions, and Removals, Book A, Page 280

Somerset County Register of Black Children, Book A, Page 279-280. Somerset County Clerk's Office.
Event Description
On July 28, 1821, James Neilson manumitted a Black man named Mark. Although Mark's family name was not recorded on the manumission deed and certificate, other historical records indicate that his name was Mark Harris Sr.

This manumission was the result of a long-standing agreement that James Neilson made when he purchased Mark Harris from Benjamin Taylor in 1816. James Neilson had promised to free Mark Harris after a term of service that was supposed to expire on March 12, 1821.

The manumission documents were filed in Somerset County, and James Neilson's residence was recorded as the City of New Brunswick in the Township of Franklin, Somerset County. At that time, a large portion of New Brunswick was in Somerset County; the city has since been unified so that the entire city is presently in Middlesex County.
Event Type
Manumission
Date
July 28, 1821
Location of Event
New Brunswick
Related Place
Franklin (Somerset County)
Preceding Event
1816-10-15 Sale: Mark Harris Sr.
Primary Participants

Mark Harris Sr. (b. 1791)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00014
Role: Manumitted Person
Age: 30
Status: Transition
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Neilson (1784-1862)
Verbatim description from source:
"my Mulatto slave named Mark aged about thirty years"
Additional Participants

James Neilson (1784-1862)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00009
Role: Enslaver, Manumitter

William Philips Deare (d. 1826)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00008
Role: Witness

Andrew Brown (d. 1822)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02554
Role: Overseer of the Poor
Comment: Overseer of the Poor of Franklin Township

Jeromus Rappleyea (d. 1831)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02449
Role: Overseer of the Poor
Comment: Overseer of the Poor of Franklin Township

John Terhune
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01771
Role: Judge
Comment: Justice of the Peace for Somerset County

Josiah Stout
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02555
Role: Judge
Comment: Justice of the Peace for Somerset County
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event