James (b. 1786) · New Jersey Slavery Records

Research Tips: This person of African descent has 1 related event in the database, listed at the bottom of this page.
Identifier: NJS-PER-02713
Given Name: James
Birth Date: 1786
Sex: Male
Biographical Description: James was a Black boy born circa 1786. He was enslaved in the household of the Baptist minister Oliver Hart and his wife Anne Hart in Hopewell, Hunterdon County (in present-day Mercer County), New Jersey. After the death of Oliver Hart, Anne Hart sold James (then aged 10) to Peter Gordon of Trenton, stipulating that James should become free at age 25, after 15 years of service to Peter Gordon. Peter's new enslaver was a merchant, postmaster, and politician who lived in Trenton at the time of this sale. Peter Gordon was well acquainted with the Hart family because, prior to relocating to Trenton, he had a farm and store near the Rev. Hart's Baptist Church in Hopewell for many years. Peter Gordon probably knew James since his birth.
Keywords: African descent person
Places: Hopewell (Mercer County); Trenton
Enslaved by: Anne Sealey Grimball Hart (1741-1813); Oliver Hart Sr. (1723-1795); Peter Gordon
Record Contributor: Jesse Bayker
Linked Events: Primary Participant in:

1796-04-28 Sale / Term Indenture / Promise to Manumit: James (Role: Indentured Person)