1796-04-28 Sale / Term Indenture / Promise to Manumit: James

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01165
Source
Indenture for James for 15 years, sold by Anne Hart to Peter Gordon

Indenture for James for 15 years, sold by Anne Hart to Peter Gordon, April 28, 1796.
Event Description
On 28 April 1796, Anne Hart, widow of the Rev. Oliver Hart of Hopewell, transferred a Black boy named James to a new master named Peter Gordon of Trenton, binding James to serve Peter Gordon for a term of 15 years. James was 10 years old at this time, and Ann Hart signed a document that promised James freedom after 15 years of service to Peter Gordon, i.e., at age 25. James's term would end on 28 April 1811.

It can be inferred that this document was part of a sale transaction and that some money probably exchanged hands, but the consideration that Anne Hart received from Peter Gordon for James's indenture was not recorded in this document. There was likely a separate bill of sale or contract created as part of this transaction, but it was not preserved in the State Archives. Anne Hart's husband, the Rev. Oliver Hart (a Baptist minister), had died four months prior, and his will stipulated that Anne should sell most of his property and invest the money in trust for their young son. The sale of James appears consistent with the Rev. Oliver Hart's instructions for his estate.

James's new master was Peter Gordon, a shopkeeper, postmaster, and politician in Trenton. Peter Gordon was a former neighbor of the Hart family, having maintained a store and farm near the Baptist Church in Hopewell for many years before relocating to Trenton.

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Transcript of the source document:

"State of New Jersey
Hunterdon [?]
I Anne Hart widow of the Revd. Oliver Hart of the Township of Hopewell in said County of Hunterdon deceased—
To all whom it may concern send Greeting—
Whereas I have this day bound my Negro Slave called James of the age of Ten years old or thereabouts, to Peter Gordon of Trenton in sd County, Shopkeeper, to serve with him His Heirs or assigns for the term of fifteen years from the day of the date hereof. Now know ye that I the said Anne Hart have at the expiration of the term aforesaid, liberated, manumitted, and set free and discharge the said James from all slavery or servitude to be required of him by me or by any other person claiming by from or under me after the expiration of the term aforesaid. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this Twenty eighth day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety Six — 1796.
Anne Hart

Witnesses
Silvester Doyles
Chas. Gordon

[reverse side]

31.
Manumission
of Negro — James
Slave to the Reverend
Oliver Hart Decd

Recorded

Recorded in the "Records of the County of Hunterdon" Book A. folio 93. This 5 day of March 1797.
Stockton Clerk"
Event Type
Sale
Term Indenture
Promise to Manumit
Date
April 28, 1796 – April 28, 1811
Location of Event
Hopewell (Mercer County)
Trenton
Primary Participants

James (b. 1786)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02713
Role: Indentured Person
Age: 10
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Anne Sealey Grimball Hart (1741-1813)
- Peter Gordon
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Slave called James of the age of Ten years old or thereabouts"
Additional Participants

Anne Sealey Grimball Hart (1741-1813)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02701
Role: Enslaver, Grantor
Comment: Grantor of the indenture agreement, presumed Seller

Peter Gordon
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02498
Role: Enslaver, Grantee
Comment: Grantee of the indenture agreement, presumed Buyer

Oliver Hart Sr. (1723-1795)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02702
Role: Enslaver, Deceased
Comment: deceased husband of the Grantor/Seller Anne Hart

Silvester Doyles
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02712
Role: Witness

Charles Gordon
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02711
Role: Witness
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event