New Jersey Slavery Records

Violet, aged 35, was manumitted by the last will and testament of Ezekiel Smith Sr. of West Windsor, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Note that the will of Ezekiel Smith Sr., who died in 1804, actually stipulated that Violet should be manumitted when she reached age 33, but the manumission documents filed in 1817 noted that Violet was aged 35 at the time, so it appears that her manumission was delayed by two years. The executor of Ezekiel Smith Sr.'s estate (his son Ezekiel Smith Jr.) brought Violet to court to complete the process and obtain a certificate of manumission. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of West Windsor (Henry Dye) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Moses Morris and Samuel R. Hamilton) on May 3, 1817. The document stated that Violet was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was signed on May 3, 1817, by executor Ezekiel Smith Jr. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 14, 1817.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 70 Child: Robert Mother: Violet Enslaver of mother and child: Jonathan Rowland Location: Woodbridge, NJ Birth date: May 12, 1817 Reported date: April 8, 1823 Clerk: William Philips Deare The document stated that the enslaver was a farmer. The same document reported the birth of Robert's sister Derinda alias Belinda.

On June 12, 1817, Henry Rutgers manumitted a Black man named Thomas Boston. This manumission took place in New York City where Henry Rutgers resided. The manumission was certified by mayor Jacob Radcliff and Richard Riker, the Recorder of the City of New York. The deed of manumission and the accompanying certificate have been preserved by the New-York Historical Society as part of the New-York Manumission Society records collection. See the linked manumission source for the complete transcript of the document.

Around July 1817, Abraham Sherrit, a 23-year-old Black man, ran away from his enslaver Joseph Clark. Clark was a sea captain in charge of the brig Friendship that sailed between Montserrat and New York, and Abraham Sherrit had worked as a steward aboard this vessel. Abraham Sherrit absconded while the brig was docked in New York. Joseph Clark had to leave Abraham Sherrit behind when he sailed out of the port, but he relied on a business associate of his, a merchant named Robert Lenox, to search for Abraham Sherrit. This merchant, Robert Lenox, was a trustee of Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey). Lenox published a runaway ad offering a reward for Abraham Sherrit's capture. ----- Transcript of the source document: "TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD, WILL be paid for apprehending and securing (so that his master may get him again) a black man named ABRAHAM SHERRIT, a slave to the owner of the brig Friendship, of Montserrat, Joseph Clark, master, of which vessel he was stewart. He is a good looking young man of about 23 years of age, 5 feet 4 inches high, and dresses neatly. He has remarkable thick ancles, (the effect of disease) which he endeavours to conceal by his long trowsers. All persons are forbid harbouring the said runaway, and masters of vessels are requested not to ship him. Application in the absence of the master of the said brig to be made to ROBERT LENOX, Esq. july 8--1m"

On the 4th of July, 1817, a young Black woman named Jane, aged 19, ran away from John T. Little's plantation in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey. ----- Transcript of the source document: "Ten Dollars Reward. RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 4th inst. a Negro Girl named JANE, 19 years of age, about 5 feet 4 inches high, has a scar on one of her jaws and on one arm. Had on and took with her a white cambric shirred hat, a black caliminco do, a blue and white domestic gingham frock, calico do, black linsey do, calf skin shoes and sundry other articles. Any person who will take up said girl and return her to the subscriber or confine her in jail, shall receive the above reward and reasonable charges. JOHN T. LITTLE Shrewsbury, Monmouth, New-Jersey, July 11th 59-3w"

Richard Barkelew (or Buckelew), aged 25, was manumitted by Abraham S. Barkelew of the township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Abraham S. Barkelew's family is associated with the area of North Brunswick township known today as South River, and this manumission probably took place there. The certificate of manumission, which spells the last name of Richard and his enslaver as Barkelew, was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Samuel Willet and Jacob Van Wickle) on July 29, 1817. The document stated that Richard Barkelew was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission, which spells the last name of Richard and his enslaver as Buckelew, was signed by the enslaver on July 29, 1817. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 29 and July 30, 1817.

In August 1817, Thomas Titus, together with his wife Sarah TenBroeck Titus, purchased a small farm from Ferdinand Van Dyke for $50. Thomas was approximately 32 years old at this time. The Titus family would go on to farm this land for decades. They had been formerly enslaved by Gerardus Beekman. The farm was purchased during a transitional period when Thomas was establishing a free household. (Beekman had agreed to manumit Thomas on March 1, 1817, but the official manumission certificate was not issued until April 13, 1818.) See the related record for the Titus Farm, where a historical marker has been erected to preserve the memory of the Titus family.

Enslaver Dr. William Van Deursen of New Brunswick (alumnus and long-time trustee of Queen's College, now Rutgers University) sold Dinah, age 22, to Jacob Klady, a New Brunswick landholder who intended to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana and take Dinah with him. At the time of the sale, Jacob Klady promised to manumit Dinah if she served obediently for 15 years in Louisiana. This promise was probably made by Klady in order to gain Dinah's consent for the relocation, since New Jersey law required registering the consent of an enslaved person before that person could be taken out of the State of New Jersey. Around the same time, William Van Deursen's brother Staats Van Deursen also sold a woman named Phillis to Jacob Klady for relocation to Louisiana.

Rob, aged 39, was manumitted by George H. Stout of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Asa Runyon and Thomas Hance) on August 1, 1817. The document stated that Rob was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was executed on August 1, 1817, by George H. Stout. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 9, 1817.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 81 Child: Sally Mother: Jane Enslaver signed: Austin D. Blackwell Location: Mapletown, NJ Birth date: August 10, 1817 Reported date: November 17, 1830 Clerk: T. S. Van Arsdalen The record also contains the names and dates of birth for the child’s 5 siblings. Note that this document was submitted by enslaver Austin D. Blackwell in 1830, many years after Jane’s children were born. Although this is not mentioned in this document, Austin was too young to have been Jane’s enslaver at the time when the children were born, and it can therefore be inferred that Austin’s father Thomas Blackwell (the head of the Blackwell household) was Jane’s original enslaver during her childbearing years. It appears that Thomas failed to report the children’s births as the law required, and Austin finally submitted birth records to the Middlesex County Clerk in 1830, five years after his father’s death. Note that the date “November 8th 1820” that appears in the transcript below is likely an error made either by Austin Blackwell or by the County Clerk, considering that two other dates on the document indicate that it was signed in November 1830 (not 1820), and the document appears in the Clerk’s book on page 81 alongside other records from 1830. The following is a complete transcript of the document: "Charles was born September 6th 1809 Letty was born February 1st 1811 Alexander was born May 29th 1812 Sam was born January 20th 1814 Phebe was born June 8th 1815 Sally was born August 10th 1817 all of the same mother Jane Dated November 8th 1820 Austin D. Blackwell I do hereby certify that the above names is taken from the family record Dated Mapleton November 17th 1830 Austin D. Blackwell Recd November 22, 1830 & recorded by T. S. Van Arsdalen Clerk"

In 1817, William Van Deursen, a physician in New Brunswick and a graduate of Queen's College (now Rutgers University) sold Dinah to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Jersey landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a plantation. Klady took Dinah to Louisiana with him. Dinah was aged 22 at this time. Before Klady was allowed to take Dinah out of the State of New Jersey, Dinah had to appear in court and give her consent to move with Klady. It appears that Dinah used this as an opportunity to negotiate with Klady for her freedom before giving her consent. On August 30, 1817, William Van Deursen brought Phillis to the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Jacob Klady to take Dinah to Louisiana where she would serve Klady as her new enslaver. According to this removal certificate, Klady promised to manumit Dinah if she served him obediently for 15 years in Louisiana. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Fitz Randolph). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1817. A complete transcript of the removal certificate follows: "Dinah } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } On the 30th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Dinah the female servant of Doctor William Van Deursen of the city of New Brunswick, in the county and State aforesaid, being a slave for life, was privately examined before us Thomas Hance and John Outcalt two of the Justices of the Peace, and Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for sd County, which sd slave Dinah upon her sd examination did say that she was near twenty two years of age, that she is perfectly satisfied and willing to leave the place of her present residence and remove with Jacob Klady to the State of Louisiana and that she prefers to serve the said Jacob Klady to the service of her present master – all which we do hereby certify and that the said Dinah is a slave for life – and that the said Jacob Klady has and does hereby promise and engage that if the sd slave Dinah shall behave in an obedient and orderly manner and serve him honestly and faithfully for the space of fifteen years from the date hereof she shall at the expiration of that time be manumitted & set free. – In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names the day and year above written. – Thos. Hance Jno. Outcalt – Received October 8, 1817 recorded by Deare clk"

In 1817, Staats Van Deursen (Treasurer of Queen's College, later Rutgers Univesity) sold Phillis to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Jersey landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a plantation. Klady took Phillis to Louisiana with him. Phillis was aged 22 at this time. Around the same time, Staats Van Deursen's brother William Van Deursen sold a woman named Dinah to Jacob Klady for relocation to Louisiana.

In 1817, James Smith of Middlesex County, NJ, sold Ben to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Brunswick landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a plantation. Klady took Ben to Louisiana with him. Ben was aged 18 at this time. On September 23, 1817, James Smith brought Ben to the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Jacob Klady to take Ben to Louisiana where Ben would serve Klady as his new enslaver. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Fitz Randolph). The document stated that Ben was examined by the judges and consented to move with Jacob Klady to Louisiana. It additionally stated that Ben had no parents living in the state of New Jersey (i.e. parental consent was not obtained for Ben's move). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1817.

In 1817, Staats Van Deursen (Treasurer of Queen's College, later Rutgers Univesity) sold Phillis to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Jersey landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a cotton plantation. Klady took Phillis to Louisiana with him. Phillis was aged 22 at this time. On September 23, 1817, Staats Van Deursen brought Phillis to the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Jacob Klady to take Phillis to Louisiana where she would serve Klady as her new enslaver. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Fitz Randolph). The document stated that Phillis was examined by the judges and consented to move with Jacob Klady to Louisiana. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1817. A complete transcript of the removal certificate follows: "Phillis } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } On the 23rd day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Phillis the negro slave of Staats Van Deursen of the city of New Brunswick, in the county and State aforesaid, aged twenty two years was privately examined before us Thomas Hance and John F. Randolph two of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Middlesex, and on her examination did state and acknowledge to us that she was twenty two years old and that she was perfectly willing to leave the service of her present master and to remove with Jacob Klady to the State of Louisiana and that she would rather go with and serve the said Jacob Klady than continue with her present master. All of which we do hereby certify. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written. - Thos. Hance John F. Randolph. - Received October 8th, 1817 recorded by Wm. P. Deare CLK"

Somerset County birth records of enslaved children contain the following record: Child: Betty Mother: Unnamed Enslaver of mother and child: John Kirkpatrick Location: Bernards Township, NJ Birth date: October 28, 1817 Reported date: July 9, 1818 Clerk: Samuel Swan

Ellen Kinsey, aged 30, was manumitted by Isaac Lawrence of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Asa Runyon and Thomas Hance) on October 29, 1817. The document stated that Ellen Kinsey was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was executed on October 29, 1817, by Isaac Lawrence. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 29, 1817.

Hepzibeth, aged 37, was manumitted by Ezekiel Kinnan of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (John Outcalt and Thomas Hance) on November 13, 1817. The document stated that Hepzibeth was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was executed on November 13, 1817, by Ezekiel Kinnan. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on November 13, 1817.

Joseph Cooper Esq. wrote his will on 27 November 1817 in Newton Township, Gloucester County (present-day area of Camden and its surroundings in Camden County). The will was probated on 3 December 1818, shortly after Cooper died. The will mentions one enslaved person and stipulates that she should be free at age 21: "Item I give and bequeath unto my Slave Cornelia McLaughlin a coloured woman her absolute Freedom from Slavery when she shall attain the age of twenty one Years so that she and her Issue shall be and remain free from Slavery for ever." The executors named in the will were wife Elizabeth Cooper, nephew William Cooper (son of Joseph's brother Samuel), and Richard M. Cooper (a more distant cousin).

Clara Voorhees, who was born into slavery in New Jersey in 1793, attained freedom sometime in the 19th century. The date and circumstances of her manumission are questionable. According to the obituary of Clara Voorhees, published after her death in 1892, Clara and her twin sister Flora were sold by Matthew Rue to John Joline with the stipulation that "they were to become free on reaching the age of twenty-five." The obituary thus suggests that Clara Voorhees and her sister became free at age 25 (circa 1818). A manumission certificate for Clara has not been located to date. However, the Somerset County Clerk's Office has a manumission certificate for her sister Flora Stryker, who was set free by John Joline in 1833, aged about 39 or 40. Considering the fate of her sister Flora, Clara Voorhees may have been older than 25 when she became free.

Flora, aged 34, was manumitted by Peter I. Bergen of West Windsor, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of West Windsor (Henry Dye) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Redford Jobs and John Smith) on January 2, 1818. The document stated that Flora was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 18, 1818.

In January 1818, John Bray of New Brunswick, NJ, advertised the sale of an enslaved Black girl, aged about 12 years. Under the Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, this girl was considered a slave for a term of 21 years; she would become eligible for emancipation at age 21. John Bray's advertisement specified that the sale would be for a term of 9 years, the remaining time of the girl's service before emancipation. The following is a transcript of the ad as it appeared in the January 18, 1818, issue of the Fredonian: "FOR SALE, Nine years service of a Black Girl, Near twelve years of age. Enquire of the subscriber— WHO HAS TO LET, A three story brick fire-proof HOUSE, Situate in Albany-street, nearly opposite to the State Bank; built on the modern plan, calculated for a STORE in front, and posing superior convenience; of which possession may be immediately had. ALSO, Several other Houses, Calculated for Merchants, in Church, French, Washington, King and Queen streets, possession of which will be given on the first of May. JOHN BRAY. January 8."

Somerset County birth records of enslaved children contain two separate records for Baas, son of Merriam, enslaved by Andrew Howell. The certificates have a 1-month discrepancy in the date of birth. Baas was born either on January 16 or February 16, 1818. The first slip of paper submitted by his enslaver, Andrew Howell, is filed in Certificates of Births of Black Children and Slaves, 1818-1840, Series 1, Item 19. It states: "On the 16 January 1818 was born male negro child named Baas of the negro woman slave Merriam property of Andrew Howell. [signature] A. Howell 1 September 1818" The second slip of paper was signed about three months later and filed in Certificates of Births of Black Children and Slaves, 1818-1840, Series 1, Item 54. County Clerk Samuel Swan copied this record into his register (Book A) on page 238. This record states: "Negro male child named Baas born the 16 February 1818. Mother negro woman slave for life named Merriam property of [signature] A. Howell 28 Nov 1818" Neither slip of paper listed Andrew Howell's place of residence, but he was well known as a resident of Bridgewater township, so it can be assumed that Baas was born in that area.

Maryah, aged 28, was manumitted by Peter Runyon Jr. of Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Piscataway (Ephraim Runyon and John Dayton) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Samuel Drake and George Boice) on January 26, 1818. The document stated that Maryah was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was executed on January 26, 1818, by Peter Runyon Jr.. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on January 27, 1818.

Tone, aged 38, was manumitted by Peter Runyon Jr. of Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Piscataway (Ephraim Runyon and John Dayton) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Samuel Drake and George Boice) on January 26, 1818. The document stated that Tone was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was executed on January 26, 1818, by Peter Runyon Jr.. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on January 27, 1818.

On January 27, 1818, a 21-year-old Black man named Turner Coxe ran away from his enslaver Samuel L. Howell in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Turner Coxe ran away from Howell's farm, known as the Marlborough Farm, which was located in the vicinity of Woodbury in Deptford Township. Turner Coxe headed north and got to Shrewsbury, where he found some assistance in the weeks following his escape. Upon receiving information from Shrewsbury, Howell believed that Coxe was planning to make his way to New York. ----- The following is a transcript of the original runaway ad that Samuel L. Howell submitted to Relf's Philadelphia Gazette, and Daily Advertiser, on January 30, 1818: "Twenty Dollars Reward. RAN AWAY from the subscriber on Tuesday afternoon, 27th inst, a negro servant named TURNER COXE, aged 21 years, about six feet high, short bodied but stout, is very round shouldered, and has a slow lounging gait. His face is round, slightly marked with the small pox, and exhibits a recent scar over the left eyebrow; his countenance when in good humour, is remarkably pleasant; when spoken to, he is generally a little abashed and he assumes an insignificant smile, showing his teeth very much, and exhibiting his embarrassment by a variety of awkward gestures — Said servant once belonged to Mrs. Hughes at Cape May. His dress when he left the Subscriber, was a round jacket, waistcoat, and loose trousers of coarse grey cloth, a common wool hat, about half worn, with a broad ribbon round it and a pair of thick laced boots. It is probable however, that he will vary his dress, as it is believed he wore under his cloths a white waistcoat, and a pair of grey over-all pantaloons, which button on the seams as far as the knee. He took with him also, a watch which belonged to another servant of the Subscriber. Whoever will apprehend the said Run-away and secure him, that the subscriber may again get possession of him, shall receive the above reward. All persons are forbid harboring said Runaway, or taking him off at their peril. N.B. In case of his arrest, information may be sent either to Mr. Thomas Clayton, No. 126 South Front street, Philadelphia, or to the subscriber residing near Gloucester Point, New-Jersey." ----- The following is a transcript of the updated ad that Samuel L. Howell submitted three weeks later to the Trenton Federalist: "20 Dollars Reward. RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 27th ultimo, a negro servant named TURNER COXE, aged 21 years, about six feet high, long limbed, round shouldered, and tolerably muscular. He is round faced, of about the middle grade of blackness, somewhat marked with small pox, exhibits a slight scar on his left eye brow from a recent wound, and when spoken to evinces embarrassment, usually assuming an unmeaning sort of smile, and showing a fine white set of teeth. His dress when he left the subscriber, was a round jacket waistcoat, and loose trousers of common grey cloth, a pair of thick laced boots, and a half worn wool hat with a broad light colored ribbon round it. But he may probably vary his appearance in this respect, as it is believed he wore under this dress a white waistcoat and a pair of grey overall pantaloons, which button up the seams as far as the knees. It is believed that the said run-away is shaping his course to New-York, as he has been traced within a few days past as far as Shrewsbury, in which neighborhood he seems to have found friends and to manifest a disposition to tarry a little until his funds are recruited. Whoever will apprehend the said servant and safely lodge him in any jail in this state, shall receive the whole reward and all reasonable charges, on apprising the subscriber of having so done. SAMUEL L. HOWELL Marlborough Farm, Gloucester county, N.J. Feb, 18, 1818. 92-3t"

On 27 January 1818, a Black woman named Mariah Thomas was manumitted by John Sheppard of Greenwich Township, Cumberland County. The original manumission certificate signed by two Overseers of the Poor of the township and two Justices of the Peace for the County has been preserved at the Cumberland County Historical Society. The following is a full transcript of the certificate: "Cumberland County to wit. We do certify on this twenty seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen John Sheppard of Greenwich in the county of Cumberland & State of New Jersey brought before us two overseers of the poor of the said township of Greenwich & two of the Justices of the Peace of the said County of Cumberland his slave named Mariah Thomas who on view & examination appears to us to be sound in mind & not under any bodily incapacity of obtaining a support & also is not under the age of twenty one years nor above the age of forty years in witness hereof we have hereunto set our hands the day & year above written Job Stiles } Reuben Hunt } Overseers of the poor James B. Hunt } John Mulford } Justices of the Peace [verso] Certificate Mariah Thomas Received January 29th 1818. And recorded in Book C of miscellaneous records in the Clerks office of Cumberland County Page 80 Ebenzr Seeley - Clk" Additionally, a copy of the manumission deed signed by John Sheppard was entered by the County Clerk into Book C of Miscellaneous Records, page 80. The manumission deed stated that John Sheppard "Have liberated, manumitted, and set free my negro slave called Mariah Thomas, at the age of 21 years or thereabout, and discharge her from all services."

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 86 Child: Tabitha Stout Mother: Jane Enslaver of mother and child: Asher Applegate Location: East Windsor, NJ Birth date: February 6, 1818 Reported date: August 9, 1836 Clerk: Nicholas Booraem The birth registration was delayed by eighteen years and did not occur until after the deaths of the original enslaver Asher Applegate and his wife Sarah Applegate. Executor Abijah Applegate signed the birth certificate on August 9, 1836, on behalf of the estate of his father Asher Applegate.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver James Brown to remove Lidiann, an enslaved woman aged 22, together with her daughter Harriet Jane, aged 3 years 4 months 28 days, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 10, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lidiann was examined by the judges and consented to move from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, "there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan as his slave." According to the certificate, James Brown appeared before the judges, but Charles Morgan did not. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818 on p. 237 of the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals. A related document, dated April 23, 1818, appears on p. 241 listing Harriet Jane among the young children who were sent to Louisiana, with her mother's name there listed as Lidia. Lidiann and Harriet Jane were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

Manumission of Simon, a Black man enslaved by James Morgan of South Amboy, NJ, was registered on February 11, 1818. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of South Amboy (Matthias Mount) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (John Outcalt and Jacob Van Wickle) on February 11, 1818. The document stated that Simon was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. Simon's exact age was not recorded in the document. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 25, 1818. Note that Simon did not actually obtain freedom at this time, but rather was taken to Louisiana to toil in bondage for Charles Morgan, the brother of Simon's original enslaver James Morgan. See the related removal registration for Simon, which was issued on the same day, February 11, 1818, by the same judges (John Outcalt and Jacob Van Wickle). Simon was one of the victims of the notorious slave trading ring operated by Judge Jacob Van Wickle and Charles Morgan.

A removal certificate for a Black woman named Margaret Coven (age unspecified) was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 11, 1818, authorizing Coven's move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt) and recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) three months later on May 20, 1818. This document is unusual. Removal certificates were typically issued for people who were enslaved because their consent was required before their enslavers could take them away from New Jersey to another state. Margaret Coven, however, is listed in the removal certificate as "a free coloured woman." The certificate stated that she "did declare that she was desirous to go with Colonel Charles Morgan of the Parish of Point Coupee in the State of Louisiana and there to serve in the capacity of a servant for the term of ten years." This removal certificate suggests that Coven would be an indentured servant in Louisiana. This removal certificate is found among the group of documents prepared by Judge Jacob Van Wickle to facilitate the business of his notorious slave trading ring. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting Black New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. Charles Morgan was Jacob Van Wickle's brother-in-law. Relatedly, on February 11, 1818, the same judges issued a removal certificate for Simon, who was also listed as a "freeman" bound for Louisiana where he would serve Charles Morgan as an indentured servant.

A removal certificate for an adult Black man named Simon (age unspecified) was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 11, 1818, authorizing Simon's move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt) and recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) three months later on May 20, 1818. This document is unusual. Removal certificates were typically issued for people who were enslaved because their consent was required before their enslavers could take them away from New Jersey to another state. Simon, however, is listed in the removal certificate as a "Coulored freeman." Simon had been enslaved by General James Morgan of South Amboy, but he obtained a manumission from his enslaver on February 11, 1818. On the same day, then, a removal certificate was issued by the same judges who had signed Simon's manumission certificate. The removal certificate stated that the judges examined Simon and that he "did declare that he was desirous of leaving his present place of residence and go with Colonel Charles Morgan of Point Coupee in the State of Louisiana and there to serve him in the capacity of a servant for the term of two years two months & eighteen days." This removal certificate suggests that Simon would be an indentured servant in Louisiana, serving Charles Morgan, who was the brother of Simon's original enslaver. This removal certificate is found among the group of documents prepared by Judge Jacob Van Wickle to facilitate the business of his notorious slave trading ring. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting Black New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. Charles Morgan and James Morgan were Jacob Van Wickle's brothers-in-law.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Sarah, an enslaved woman aged 21, together with her infant daughter Diannah, aged 7 months, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 12, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Sarah was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Sarah and Diannah were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

Elsy Murray, a 20-year-old black woman, ran away from her enslaver Peter Bogart of Princeton, NJ, on February 13, 1818. She could read well and had a pass for 2 days. She had a brother near Piscataway, and Peter Bogart supposed that someone harbored her around that area. The enslaver submitted a runaway ad to the New Brunswick newspaper Fredonian in April, over two months after Elsy Murray ran away from him. He offered a reward of 20 dollars for Elsy Murray's return and also announced that he was willing to sell her. ----- Transcript of the source document: "Twenty Dollars Reward. RAN AWAY, from the subscriber, in Princeton, on the 13th February last, a female negro slave named Elsy Murray, about 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, of about the middle grade of blackness; reads very well, and is intelligent—Had on when she went away a red plaid gingham gown, Germantown shawl, green silk bonnet, and plum colored shoes. She had a pass for two days only, and is believed to be in the neighborhood of Piscataway as she had a brother living in that quarter. All persons are forwarned harboring her at their peril. Any persons apprehending her and lodging her in any gaol in this state so that the subscriber may get her again, shall receive the above reward. PETER BOGART. April 30. tf. N.B. The subscriber will sell the above slave for reasonable price; she is an excellent house wench."

A removal certificate is a document authorizing an enslaver to relocate (remove) an enslaved person out of the state of New Jersey. The following removal certificate was found among Somerset County Clerk's records. Record location: Book A, Page 211 Reason for relocation: enslaved person is sold out of the state and will be taken away by the buyer Enslaved person: Mark, aged 30 Enslavers involved: Frederick Stryker, who sold Mark to Thomas Nesbitt Jr. Original place of residence: Franklin, Somerset County Destination: Mississippi Judges who authorized this removal: Andrew Howell and Dickinson Miller Date signed by the judges: 14 February 1818 Date recorded by the county clerk: 28 April 1818 County clerk: Samuel Swan Note that the buyer who was taking Mark to Mississippi was originally a resident of Bridgewater, Somerset County. The next page (p. 212) has a related certificate for Sarah Ann who was also taken away by Thomas Nesbitt.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 64 Child: Peter Mother: Sarah Enslaver of mother and child: Dinah Voorhees Location: North Brunswick, NJ Birth date: February 15, 1818 Reported date: April 22, 1819 Clerk: William Philips Deare The following is a complete transcript of the document: "64 Peter } I Dinah Voorhees of the Township of North Brunswick, in the county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey certify that a black child named Peter was born of Sarah in my house on the fifteenth day of February 1818 — Witness my hand this twenty second day of April 1819. — Dinah Voorhees Received April 22d, 1819 recorded Deare clk"

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Florah, an enslaved woman aged 23, and her daughter Susan, aged 7 months, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 26, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Florah was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818, on p. 236 of the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals. A related document, dated April 23, 1818, appears on p. 241 listing Susan among the young children who were sent to Louisiana. Florah and Susan were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

Removal certificates authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Hager, an enslaved woman aged 29, and her children Roda (age 14), Augustus (age 4), and Mary (age 2), from the State of New Jersey were issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County, dated February 26, 1818. The certificates were signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The documents stated that Hager and her children were examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate for Hager, Roda, Mary, and Augustus was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818, on p. 234 of the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals. Another separate certificate for Roda appears on p. 232. A related document, dated April 23, 1818, appears on p. 241 listing Mary and Augustus among the young children who were sent to Louisiana. Hager and her children were among the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Rachel, an enslaved woman aged 22, together with her infant daughter Rozenah, aged 6 weeks, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 26, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Rachel was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Rachel and Rozenah were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Elminah, an enslaved girl aged 14, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Elminah was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that Elminah had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Elminah was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove George, an enslaved boy aged 16, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that George was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that George had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. George was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Harrey, an enslaved boy aged 14, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Harvey was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that Harrey had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Harvey was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove James, an enslaved man aged 21, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The man's name was written as "Jams" in the certificate. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that James was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. James was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Moses, an enslaved person aged 16, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Moses was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that Moses had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Moses was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Peter, an enslaved person aged 15, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Peter was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that Peter had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Peter was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Susan Watt, an enslaved person aged 35, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on February 27, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Susan Watt was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Susan Watt was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Sam Johnson, an enslaved man aged 32, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 1, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Sam Johnson was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Sam Johnson was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Betty, an enslaved woman aged 22, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 9, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Betty was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Betty was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Boss, an enslaved person aged 19, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 9, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Boss was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that Boss had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Boss was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Christeen, an enslaved woman aged 37, together with her two daughters Diannah (age 9) and Dorcas (age 1), from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 9, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Christeen was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The removal certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818, on p. 233 of the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals. A related document, dated April 23, 1818, appears on p. 241 listing Diannah and Dorcas among the young children who were sent to Louisiana. Christeen and her daughters were among the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Claresse, an enslaved woman aged 22 and 6 months, together with her son Hercules, aged 2 years 10 months and 7 days, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 9, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Claresse was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818 on p. 235 of the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals. A related document, dated April 23, 1818, appears on p. 241 listing Hercules among the young children who were sent to Louisiana. Claresse and Hercules were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Lidia, an enslaved girl aged 18, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 9, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lidia was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document stated that Lidia had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Lidia was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Pat, an enslaved woman aged 22, from the State of New Jersey, was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 9, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Pat was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 20, 1818. Pat was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate for a Black boy named Dick was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 13, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Benajah Mundy and John Outcalt). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on March 13, 1818. According to the removal certificate, Dick was 16 and a half years old and was enslaved by a man named Stephen Mundy, a resident of Piscataway, who planned to move to New York State. The certificate stated that Dick was examined by the judges and consented to move with Stephen Mundy to New York. The judges noted that Dick had the status of a "slave for the term," that his term of service would expire at age 27, and that he had 9 and a half years remaining on his term of service before he would be eligible for emancipation. The judges further noted that Stephen Mundy promised to manumit Dick one year sooner, provided that Dick would serve him obediently for 8 and a half years. Dick was a minor, and parental consent would normally be required from one of his parents in order to issue a removal certificate. The certificate noted that Dick said "that he has not to the best of his knowledge any parent now living in the State of New Jersey or elsewhere," and thus the parental consent was not obtained for Dick's move. The certificate does not mention Stephen Mundy's exact destination, but additional historical research has confirmed that Mundy moved to the village of Caneseraga in Allegany County, New York. Another removal certificate filed in Middlesex County a week later indicates that Stephen Mundy also took a Black boy named Aaron with him to New York. See the related event for Aaron (Identifier NJS-EVE-00198).

A removal certificate for a Black boy named Aaron was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 21, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on March 21, 1818. According to the removal certificate, Aaron was 13 years old and was enslaved by a man named Henry Suydam, a resident of New Jersey (town and county not specified). The document stated that Aaron was examined by the judges and consented to move to New York State with a different enslaver named Stephen Mundy. It can be inferred from this document that Henry Suydam sold or otherwise transferred Aaron to Stephen Mundy. Aaron's relocation to New York with Stephen Mundy would result in family separation from his mother Peggy. According to the removal certificate, Peggy also appeared in court to give parental consent allowing Stephen Mundy to take her child out of the State of New Jersey. Peggy was likely also enslaved by Henry Suydam, although her enslavement status is not explicitly stated in the document. The certificate does not mention Stephen Mundy's exact destination, but additional historical research has confirmed that Mundy moved to the village of Caneseraga in Allegany County, New York. Additional research also indicates that Stephen Mundy's wife was named Ann Suydam, and thus Henry Suydam must have been an in-law of his. Another removal certificate filed in Middlesex County a week earlier indicates that Stephen Mundy also took a Black boy named Dick with him to New York. See the related event for Dick (Identifier NJS-EVE-00197).

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Dorcus, an enslaved girl aged 16, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 28, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Dorcus was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document also stated that Dorcus had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Dorcus was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Leta, an enslaved person aged 21, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 28, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Leta was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Leta was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Margaret, an enslaved woman aged 21, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on March 31, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Margaret was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Margaret was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

On April 5, 1818, Peter ran away from his enslaver James T. Clarke, who lived in Trenton, New Jersey. Clarke published a runaway ad describing Peter as a "negro boy," but Peter's age was not mentioned, and he may have been a boy or a young adult. Clarke supposed that Peter may have gone toward Asbury, Sussex County, where he had a brother living in the household of Col. McCullough. ----- Transcript of the source document: "15 Dollars Reward. RANAWAY from the subscriber, on Sunday the 5th inst. a NEGRO BOY named Peter, about five feet eight inches in height, yellowish complexion, and a singular dent or depression in his forehead below where the hair terminates, which he usually attempts to comb over it. Had on greyish roundabout and common woolsey trowsers of yellow colour. Whoever returns said boy shall be entitled to above reward and all reasonable expenses. He had a brother living with Col. McCullough of Asbury, Sussex county, a short time since, and may possibly have gone that away. JAMES T. CLARKE. Trenton, April 16, 1818. 99-3w"

A removal certificate is a document authorizing an enslaver to relocate (remove) an enslaved person out of the state of New Jersey. The following removal certificate was found among Somerset County Clerk's records. Record location: Book A, Page 212 Reason for relocation: enslaved person is sold out of the state and will be taken away by the buyer Enslaved person: Sarah Ann, aged 21 Enslavers involved: Elijah Chamberlin, who sold Sarah Ann to Thomas Nesbitt Jr. Original place of residence: Middlesex County Destination: Mississippi Judges who authorized this removal: Andrew Howell and Dickinson Miller Date signed by the judges: 7 April 1818 Date recorded by the county clerk: 20 April 1818 County clerk: Samuel Swan Note that the seller, Elijah Chamberlin, was from Middlesex County, but the buyer, Thomas Nesbitt, was originally from Bridgewater, Somerset County. The certificate was authorized by the Somerset County Court of Common Pleas. The previous page (p. 211) has a related certificate for Mark who was also taken away by Thomas Nesbitt.

Somerset County birth records of enslaved children contain the following record: Book A, page number: 239 Child: Nell Mother: Gin Enslaver of mother and child: Andrew Brown Location: Somerset County (locality not specified) Birth date: 13 April 1818 Recorded date: 7 January 1819 Clerk: Swan Although the locality was not listed on this birth certificate, other county records indicate that Andrew Brown was a resident of Franklin Township. Thus, it can be inferred that the child was born there.

Thomas Titus was manumitted by Gerardus Beekman of South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Gerardus Beekman and Thomas Titus both appeared in court to obtain a manumission certificate. The certificate was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of South Brunswick (Andrew McDowell and John Barricklo) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Nathaniel Hunt and John Bastedo) on April 13, 1818. The document stated that Thomas Titus was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. Thomas Titus's exact age was not recorded in the document; however, other historical sources indicate that he would have been about 33 years old at the time. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 3, 1818. See related events for Thomas Titus, which indicate that Gerardus Beekman promised to manumit him on March 1, 1817, after a 15-year term of service. The manumission paperwork was not finalized until April 1818, but historical evidence suggests that Thomas Titus was already living as a free man in 1817, considering that he bought a farm with his wife Sarah in the summer of 1817.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Elizer, an enslaved girl aged 19, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Elizer was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document also stated that Elizer had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Elizer was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Frank, an enslaved man aged 21, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Frank was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Frank was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Harey, an enslaved man aged 22, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Harey was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Harey was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Hester, an enslaved girl aged 18, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Hester was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document also stated that Hester had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Hester was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Jack, an enslaved boy aged 16, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Jack was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The document also stated that Jack had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Jack was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Jane, an enslaved woman aged 25, together with her son John, aged 4, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Jane was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Jane her son John were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Mary Davis, an enslaved woman aged 23, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Mary Davis was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Mary Davis was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove Peter, an enslaved man aged 21, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought Peter before the judges and that Peter was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. When making a copy of the certificate into his bound volume, the County Clerk also appended this notation at the bottom of the record, suggesting that the original document had been altered: "The name Nicholas Van Wickle erased before the name Lewis Compton." Peter was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Phillis, an enslaved woman aged 25, together with her son Charles, aged 1 year and 6 months, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Phillis was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Phillis and Charles were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Silvey, an enslaved woman aged 30, together with her infant son Jacob, aged 18 months, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Silvey was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. A notation appended at the bottom of the certificate stated, "The said male child to serve to the age of twenty five years." This was an acknowledgement that baby Jacob was eligible for emancipation at age 25 according to New Jersey's gradual abolition law. However, the move to Louisiana would deprive Jacob of the promise of freedom at age 25 because enforcing his rights under northern gradual abolition laws would be nearly impossible in the Deep South. Silvey and Jacob were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove Betsey, an enslaved woman aged 22, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 29, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought Betsey before the judges and that Betsey was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Betsey was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Garret Story to remove James (or Jams), an enslaved boy aged 16, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 29, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Garret Story brought "his male servant, named Jams aged sixteen years" before the judges and that James was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle or either of them "for and during the term of four years ten months & sixteen days." The terminology used in the certificate suggests that James was probably born outside of New Jersey and was treated as an indentured servant, or a so-called slave for a term of 21 years, under the gradual abolition rules of his home state (the laws of Connecticut and Rhode Island stipulated that male children of enslaved mothers were eligible for emancipation at age 21). The document also stated that James had no parents in the State of New Jersey (thus parental consent was not obtained for his move). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. When making a copy of the certificate into his bound volume, the County Clerk also appended this notation at the bottom of the record, suggesting that the original document had been altered: "The name 'Nicholas Van Wickle' is erased before the name Garret Story." James was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Peter F. Hendry to remove Sam, an enslaved boy aged 16, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 29, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Peter F. Hendry brought Sam before the judges and that Sam was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle or either of them. The document also stated that Sam had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. When making a copy of the certificate into his bound volume, the County Clerk also appended this notation at the bottom of the record, suggesting that the original document had been altered: "The name Nicholas Van Wickle is erased before the name Peter F. Hendry." Sam was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove William, an enslaved person aged 22, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on April 29, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought William before the judges and that William was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. When making a copy of the certificate into his bound volume, the County Clerk also appended this notation at the bottom of the record, suggesting that the original document had been altered: "The name Nicholas Van Wickle is erased before the name Lewis Compton." William was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

On 14 May 1818, Charles escaped from his enslaver, William M. Griggs, near Princeton, NJ. Griggs submitted a runaway advertisement seeking Charles with a reward of 20 dollars for his return. ----- Transcript of the source document: "Twenty Dollars Reward. RUNAWAY from the Subscriber near Princeton, New Jersey, on Thursday the 14th of May, a NEGRO MAN named Charles, about 26 or 27 years of age, five feet ten or eleven inches high, a slovenly swinging walk, treats his shoes crooked, had a cut on the toes of the right foot so that his middle toes are crumpled up or on the top of the others, and very fond of smoking the pipe; stout build, broad shoulders, dark complexion and of but few words. Had on and took with him one fur hat, one long blue coat, one black gray linsey coatee, one waistcoat of the same, one yellow with black stripes and white bone buttons, one pair of old bottle green velvet pantaloons, one pair of new striped tow trowsers, one pair of old lace boots. Whoever will take up said negro and deliver him to the subscriber, or secure him in any gaol so that I may get him again, shall be entitled to the above reward and reasonable charges paid. WILLIAM M. GRIGGS. May 14th, 1818. 7.3wpd."

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Amey, an enslaved woman aged 22, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 15, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Amey was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Amey was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Nicholas Van Wickle to remove Henry, an enslaved man aged 21, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 15, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Henry was examined by the judges and consented to move with Nicholas Van Wickle from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Nicholas Van Wickle and Charles Morgan or either of them (although only Nicholas Van Wickle appeared in court according to the certificate). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Henry was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove James, an enslaved man aged 32, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 15, 1818. The man's name was written as "Jams" in the certificate. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought James before the judges and that James was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. James was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Peter Hendry to remove Juda, an enslaved woman aged 26, together with her son Samuel, aged 2 years and 4 months, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 15, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Peter Hendry brought Juda before the judges and that Juda was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Juda and Samuel were two of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove George, an enslaved boy aged 18, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 20, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought George before the judges and that George was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The document also stated that George had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. George was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove Hannah, an enslaved girl aged 16, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 20, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought Hannah before the judges and that Hannah was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The document also stated that Hannah had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Hannah was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Peter F. Hendry to remove Sam, an enslaved man aged 32, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 20, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Peter F. Hendry brought Sam before the judges, and that Sam was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Sam was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver David F. Labaw to remove Nancy, an enslaved woman aged 22, together with her infant son, aged 2 days, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 21, 1818. The baby's name was not recorded in the certificate. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that David F. Labaw brought Nancy before the judges, and that Nancy was examined by the judges "separate and apart from her said master" and consented to move from Middlesex County, NJ, to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, "there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle." The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Nancy was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Dine Mother: Jin Enslaver of mother and child: Dan Hurd Location: Sussex County (locality not specified) Birth date: 22 May 1818 Recorded date: 23 Nov 1818 Clerk: Green The record does not specify the locality within Sussex County, but as Dan Hurd was known to be a resident of Sparta in Hardyston township, it appears likely that the child was born around that area.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Samuel Gordon to remove Peter, an enslaved boy aged 17, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Samuel Gordon brought "his male servant Peter aged seventeen years" before the judges and that Peter was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle or either of them "for and during the Term of Eleven years from the first day of May next." The terminology used in the certificate suggests that Peter was treated as an indentured servant, or a so-called slave for a term of 28 years, under the gradual abolition rules of a neighboring state (the laws of New York and Pennsylvania both stipulated that male children of enslaved mothers were eligible for emancipation at age 28). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. When making a copy of the certificate into his bound volume, the County Clerk also appended this notation at the bottom of the record, suggesting that the original document had been altered: "The name Nicholas Van Wickle is erased before the name Samuel Gordon." Peter was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove Hannah, an enslaved girl aged 14, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 23, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought Hannah before the judges, and that Hannah was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The document also stated that Hannah had no parents in the State of New Jersey. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Hannah was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

A removal certificate authorizing enslaver Lewis Compton to remove Jack, an enslaved man aged 21, from the State of New Jersey was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on May 23, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Jacob Van Wickle and John Outcalt). The document stated that Lewis Compton brought Jack before the judges and that Jack was examined by the judges and consented to move to Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, there to serve Colonel Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1818. Jack was one of the victims of the slave trading ring that revolved around Judge Jacob Van Wickle. Van Wickle and his associates exploited loopholes in New Jersey law in order to enrich themselves through the interstate slave trade. In 1818, Van Wickle falsified many removal certificates, signing the certificates without the consent of the enslaved people named in the documents, and then putting enslaved New Jerseyans on ships bound for Louisiana. The details listed in the removal certificates issued by Jacob Van Wickle in 1818 are questionable. The dates of the supposed court appearances, the recorded ages, and the family circumstances of the enslaved individuals listed in the documents might have been falsified. Particularly in the case of enslaved children, Van Wickle was known to add years to their ages, and he also may have falsely recorded that children did not have parents in New Jersey. This was done to circumvent the New Jersey law that required parental consent before enslaved minors could be taken out of the state.

In June 1818, Charles Morgan and Lewis Compton were indicted in Middlesex County on misdemeanor charges in connection with the trafficking of a Black man named Claus out of the state of New Jersey without his consent. Additionally, a constable named James Edgar was indicted on a misdemeanor charge of aiding and abetting Lewis Compton in his scheme to illegally take Claus away from New Jersey. Claus had been taken to Louisiana aboard the brig Mary Ann, departing New Jersey on March 10, 1818. The brig Mary Ann carried over 30 Black people to Louisiana, but only some of them were named as victims in the criminal case that arose from this incident of slave trafficking. Claus was the only adult victim named in the indictments related to the brig Mary Ann. His age at the time of these events is not known, but the indictments described him as "being of full age," i.e., an adult over the age of 21. In addition to Claus, the grand jury in Middlesex County handed down indictments related to nine children under the age of 10 who were taken away on the Mary Ann. (See the linked Criminal Action event for extensive information about the nine children victims.) All of the victims were already in Louisiana by the time these indictments were handed down in June 1818. Note that, while many removal certificates were filed in Middlesex County for the Black people who were taken away on the brig Mary Ann, there was never a removal certificate filed for Claus. His disappearance from New Jersey without any legal paperwork recording his consent to go away to Louisiana attracted scrutiny and served as one of the key elements of the state's case against the defendants. ----------- ARCHIVAL LOCATION OF THE SOURCES. These sources were digitized by the New Jersey State Archives in 2023 and gathered together in the Van Wickle Slave Ring Digital Collection (aka Documents at the New Jersey State Archives relating to the Van Wickle Slave Ring). Documents related to Claus include four separate items from different archival series. 1. Indictment against Charles Morgan, late of South Amboy Township, for misdemeanor, charged with taking away Claus. This document was found in the following series: Department of Education, New Jersey State Library, Bureau of Archives and History Manuscript Collection, 1680s-1970s (Control number: SEDSL006). The indictment was part of the records of the Court of Oyer and Terminer for Middlesex County, in Box 1-22, Folder 81. Note that the indictment against Charles Morgan variously refers to Claus as a "servant for a term of years" or a "slave for life" on the same page. The indictment for Charles Morgan was signed by Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, Theodore Frelinghuysen, and witnesses Aaron Hassert, John Young, James Skinner, Abraham Webb, John Disbrow, Thomas Dey, and David Bloomfield. The foreman of the grand jury was James Parker. 2. Indictment against James Edgar, late of Perth Amboy Township, for misdemeanor, charged with aiding and abetting Lewis Compton in taking and carrying away Claus. This document was found in the following series: Department of Education, New Jersey State Library, Bureau of Archives and History Manuscript Collection, 1680s-1970s (Control number: SEDSL006). The indictment was part of the records of the Court of Oyer and Terminer for Middlesex County, in Box 1-26, Folder 47. The indictment for James Edgar was signed by Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, Theodore Frelinghuysen, and witnesses Aaron Hassert, John Young, James Skinner, Abraham Webb, John Disbrow, and Thomas Dey. The foreman of the grand jury was James Parker. 3. Memorandum concerning the removal of slaves from Perth Amboy on March 10, 1818. This document appears to be an unofficial record of witness statements relating the circumstances whereby Claus, a black man enslaved by Lewis Compton, came to be consigned to Charles Morgan and put onto the brig Mary Ann bound for New Orleans. Witnesses listed here are James Skinner, John Young, Abraham Webb, Aaron Hassert, and John Disborough. This document was found in the following series: Department of Education, New Jersey State Library, Bureau of Archives and History Manuscript Collection, 1680s-1970s (Control number: SEDSL006). This document is in Box 1-39, Folder 34. 4. Record of default on recognizance of $1250 (i.e., failing to appear in court) for two indictments against Lewis Compton in the matters of Claus and John. (John, a 3-year-old boy, was a different victim of Lewis Compton and Charles Morgan, taken to Louisiana on the sloop Thorn in May 1818.) This document was found in the following series: Supreme Court of New Jersey Case Files, 1704–1844 (Control number: SSV00001). This document is filed as Case No. 34789*.

In June 1818, Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle were indicted in Middlesex County on misdemeanor charges in connection with the trafficking of nine Black children out of the state of New Jersey without their consent. Arrest warrants were then issued on June 13, 1818, ordering Nicholas Van Wickle to be brought to the Middlesex County Court of Oyer and Terminer in New Brunswick on December 8, 1818, to answer the charges. Charles Morgan was known to be in Louisiana by the time of these court proceedings, and no arrest warrants were issued for him. The victims of slave trafficking named in these indictments were taken to Louisiana aboard the brig Mary Ann, departing New Jersey on March 10, 1818. The brig Mary Ann carried over 30 Black people to Louisiana, including the parents of some of the children, but the parents were not named as victims in the indictments. The nine children were between the ages of 6 weeks and 9 years. These children were considered slaves for a term of years and they were supposed to eventually gain freedom under New Jersey's gradual abolition law (rather than being enslaved for life). Due to their status as slaves for a term and their young age, their movement from the state of New Jersey attracted legal scrutiny. The indictments stated that the children were taken away without their consent, notwithstanding legal paperwork (i.e., removal certificates signed by Judge Jacob Van Wickle) that Charles Morgan and Nicholas Van Wickle had obtained saying that the young children consented to move to Louisiana. The state alleged that the children were too young to truly consent. In addition to these nine children, another person who was named as a slave trafficking victim was an adult man named Claus. He was the only adult person named as a victim in this series of indictments. See the related Criminal Action event for Claus for details about his situation. All of the victims were already in Louisiana by the time these indictments were handed down in June 1818. ----------- ARCHIVAL LOCATION OF THE SOURCES. These sources were digitized by the New Jersey State Archives in 2023 and gathered together in the Van Wickle Slave Ring Digital Collection (aka Documents at the New Jersey State Archives relating to the Van Wickle Slave Ring). The indictments were found in the New Jersey State Archives in the following series: Middlesex County, Court of Common Pleas: Court of General Quarter Sessions, Case Files, 1741-1888 (Control number: CMICP002). These indictments were part of Middlesex County Sessions, June 1818, in Box 96. The arrest warrants were found in the New Jersey State Archives in the following series: Department of Education, New Jersey State Library, Bureau of Archives and History Manuscript Collection, 1680s-1970s (Control number: SEDSL006). The warrants were part of the records of the Court of Oyer and Terminer for Middlesex County, in Box 1-22, Folder 83. ----------- FORMAT OF THE DOCUMENTS. The indictments and arrest warrants were issued on standard printed forms, with the names of the victims and the accused defendants written in by hand. A transcript of the documents for the boy named Augustus is provided below for reference. All of the documents for the other children followed the same format and were signed by the same attorneys and witnesses. The indictments were signed by Theodore Frelinghuysen, the Attorney General for the State of New Jersey. The foreman of the grand jury was James Parker. The witnesses are also listed on the indictments. Transcript of indictment in the case of the State of New Jersey v. Charles Morgan: "Middlesex County, ss. THE Grand Inquest of the State of New-Jersey, and for the body of the county of Middlesex, upon their oath present; that Charles Morgan late of the township of South Amboy in the county of Middlesex on the tenth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen, at the township of South Amboy aforesaid in the county aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction of this Court, unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly a certain Negro boy called Augustus of the age of four years or thereabouts a servant for years before that time of one Nicholas Van Wickle did take and carry away from and out of the State of New-Jersey, with a design and intent the place of residence of the said Negro boy Augustus to change, without the consent of the said Negro boy Augustus being previously obtained and testified upon private examination, before two Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Middlesex, in which he the said Negro boy Augustus then resided, contrary to the form of the Statute in such case made and provided; and against the peace of this State the Government and dignity of the same. [signatures] Theo Frelinghuysen Atty Genl Witnesses. Jacob Van Wickle David Bloomfield John Disbrow Thomas Dey Aaron Hassert James Skinner" --- Transcript of indictment in the case of the State of New Jersey v. Nicholas Van Wickle: "Middlesex County, ss. THE Grand Inquest of the State of New-Jersey, and for the body of the county of Middlesex, upon their oath present; that Nicholas Van Wickle late of the township of South Amboy in the county of Middlesex on the tenth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen, at the township of South Amboy aforesaid in the county aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction of this Court, unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly a certain Negro boy called Augustus of the age of four years or thereabouts then & there being a servant for years of him the said Nicholas Van Wickle did dispose of to one Charles Morgan, he, the said Charles Morgan, then not being an inhabitant of the State of New-Jersey, with a design and intent that the place of residence of the said negro boy Augustus should be thereby changed, without the consent of the said negro boy Augustus being previously obtained and testified upon private examination, before two Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Middlesex, in which he the said Negro boy Augustus then resided, contrary to the form of the Statute in such case made and provided; and against the peace of this State the Government and dignity of the same. And the Jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do further present, that the said Nicholas Van Wickle on the tenth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen, at the township of South Amboy aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, and within the Jurisdiction of this Court, wilfully, unlawfully and knowingly, did send away a certain Negro boy called Augustus of the age of four years or thereabouts then & there being a servant for years of him the said Nicholas Van Wickle from and out of the State of New-Jersey, with a design and intent, that the place of residence of the said Negro boy Augustus should be thereby changed, without the consent of the said Negro boy Augustus being previously obtained and testified upon private examination, before two Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Middlesex, in which he the said Negro boy Augustus then resided, contrary to the form of the Statute in such case made and provided; and against the peace of this State the Government and dignity of the same. [signatures] Theo Frelinghuysen Atty Genl Witnesses. Jacob Van Wickle David Bloomfield John Disbrow Thomas Dye Aaron Hassert James Skinner" --- Transcript of the process on indictment for misdemeanor (arrest warrant) against Nicholas Van Wickle: "MIDDLESEX, ss. — The State of New-Jersey, to the Sheriff of Middlesex, or to any Constable of said County, Greeting: We command you to take Nicholas Van Wickle if in your bailiwick and bring him before our Court of Oyer & Terminer & General Gaol Delivery to be holden at New Brunswick in and for the said County, on the second Tuesday of December next at the hour of ten in the forenoon of that day, or cause to find sufficient sureties for his appearance at the said Court, at the time aforesaid, to answer a certain Indictment against him for a misdemeanor in disposing of and sending away from & out of this State Negro Boy Augustus a servant for years without consent &c. and if not before taken, that then so so as he shall be taken, you safely keep, and bring before the next Sessions to be holden thereafter for the said County, on the first day thereof, or cause to find sufficient sureties for his appearance at the said Court, to answer as aforesaid; and have you then there this writ. Hereof fail not at your peril. WITNESS Andrew Kirkpatrick Esquire, Presiding Justice of our sd Courts at New Brunswick aforesaid, the thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen. [signatures] Frelinghuysen Atty Genl Deare CLK"

In 1818, when Salley was 25 years old, her enslaver Daniel Perrine of Middlesex County, New Jersey, sold her to a man named Peter Tiernan, with the understanding that Tiernan was planning to take Salley to Virginia. The impending sale was recorded in a removal certificate dated June 1, 1818. The sale likely took place on that day or shortly thereafter.

On June 1, 1818, enslaver Daniel Perrine brought Salley, an enslaved woman aged 25, before the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Salley's removal from Middlesex County, New Jersey, to Virginia. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Outcalt). The removal certificate stated that Daniel Perrine was planning to sell Salley to a man named Peter Tiernan, and that Salley was examined by the judges and consented to move with Peter Tiernan to Virginia. It appears that Tiernan did not appear in court, but he was mentioned in the document. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on the same day, June 1, 1818. The record only mentions the state of Virginia and does not list a more specific destination for Salley and Peter Tiernan.

Somerset County birth records of enslaved children contain a birth registration document for siblings Dick, Joseph, Lewis, and Samuel. Lewis's information is as follows: Book A, Page 301 Child: Lewis Mother: Flora Enslaver of mother and child: John Joline Location: Montgomery township Birth date: 20 June 1818 Reported date: 20 February 1823 Clerk: Isaac Southard This certificate lists Montgomery township as the place. John Joline was a well-known innkeeper in Princeton (then considered part of Montgomery township), and Flora's children were born there.

On the night of the June 24, 1818, Tine escaped from her enslaver, Barnt DeKlyn of Bow Hill Mansion near Trenton. She ran away with a Black man named Charles, who was probably a free man. DeKlyn published a runaway ad describing Tine and Charles. ----- Transcript of the source document: "Twenty Dollars Reward. RAN AWAY from the subscriber on the night of the 24th and 25th inst. a Mulatto or Yellow Woman, named Tine, or commonly so called; her clothes cannot be described as she had a variety with her, and may change her dress. She took with her a feather bed, bedstead, & c. and went off with a black man, who called himself Charles while in the employ of the subscriber, but may answer to some other name. The woman is of middle size, neither tall nor stout, quick spoken, and very pert in making answers to any question. The black man is of middling stature, smart and active, brought up as a house servant and lately lived with Mr. Edmund Burk of Trenton has hostler. Any person who will apprehend her and confined her in any jail in the state, so that the subscriber can get her again, shall receive above reward. BARNT DEKLYN. Trenton, June 27, 1818. 9.3w"

According to a removal certificate issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on July 22, 1818, George Farmer of Middlesex County, NJ, sold an enslaved woman named Hannah Grene, aged 21, to one James K. Cook, a resident of Virginia. Relatedly, James K. Cook planned to buy Hannah Grene's daughter Rebecca Ann from John Smock. For more information about these events, see the related removal registration event for Hannah Grene and Rebecca Ann (Identifier NJS-EVE-00264).

According to a removal certificate filed in Middlesex County on July 22, 1818, James K. Cook, a resident of Virginia, planned to buy Rebecca Ann, a 4-year-old Black girl, from enslaver John Smock of Monmouth County. James K. Cook intended to take Rebecca Ann and the girl's mother, Hannah Grene to Virginia. For more information about these events and the people involved, see the related removal registration event for Hannah Grene and Rebecca Ann (Identifier NJS-EVE-00264).

On July 15, 1818, John Archer, a 16-year-old apprentice, ran away from his master, Richard Archer, in Bridgetown, New Jersey (now part of Rahway, Union County). Richard Archer published a runaway ad for John Archer. The ad mentioned that John Archer had a "dark complexion," but did not explicitly state his racial background, and it is uncertain whether John Archer was of African ancestry. ----- Transcript of the source document: "SIX CENTS REWARD. WHEREAS John Archer, aged about 16 years, of dark complexion, having on a blue oat and dark velveteen trousers, left me, without cause, about the 15th of July last, this is to give notice, that he is my lawful apprentice and I do offer the above reward to any person who will give information of said boy to subscriber. All persons are forbid harboring or employing said boy; and any person who will secure him in jail, or return him to his master, shall have all charges paid. RICHARD ARCHER. Bridge-Town, Nov. 30, 1818. 13"

A removal certificate authorizing the relocation of Hannah Grene, an enslaved woman aged 21, from the State of New Jersey to Virginia was issued by the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County on July 22, 1818. The certificate was signed by two judges (Robert McChesney and Thomas Hance) and was subsequently recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 27, 1818. The document stated that Hannah Grene's enslaver George Farmer of Middlesex County brought Hannah Grene before the judges, as was required by law before an enslaved person could be taken out of the state. George Farmer planned to sell Hannah Grene to an enslaver named James K. Cook, a resident of Virginia. The law required Hannah Grene's consent for this move. The certificate states that Hannah Grene agreed to go to Virginia, but there was a condition attached: she was willing to go if James K. Cook would also purchase and take with him Hannah Grene's daughter Rebecca Ann, aged 4, who was currently enslaved by John Smock of Monmouth County. The document also noted that Rebecca Ann was eligible for emancipation at age 21 under New Jersey's gradual abolition law. This document suggests that, faced with an untenable situation, Hannah Grene took steps to prevent permanent separation from her daughter. Although 4-year-old Rebecca Ann's legal status as a slave for a term of 21 years was recorded in this document, relocation to Virginia was extremely dangerous for a child in her position, because it would be nearly impossible for her to enforce her rights under New Jersey's gradual abolition law once she reached adulthood in the South. Additionally, if Hannah Grene gave birth to any children in Virginia, they would be enslaved for life. The removal certificate listed George Farmer as a resident of Middlesex County, but did not specify the locality. However, other historical records confirm that George Farmer was a well-known resident of Piscataway and had a large estate called Belle Vue near the Raritan River (around the area of present-day Highland Park). It can be inferred that Hannah Grene lived at Belle Vue prior to her relocation to Virginia. The following is a complete transcript of the removal certificate: "Removal } Hannah Grene } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County} Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and eighteen, Captain George Farmer of the said county of Middlesex in New Jersey brought before us Robert McChesney and Thomas Hance two of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County his female slave named Hannah Grene aged between twenty one and twenty two years - and the said Hannah being by us examined separate and apart from her said Master declared that she was a slave for life and that she was willing and freely consented to remove and go out of this State with James K. Cook a resident in the State of Virginia (to whom her said master is about the sell her) and to reside with the said James K. Cook rather than continue with and serve her present master - provided that he the said James K. Cook purchases and takes with her female child named Rebeca Ann aged four years on or about the fifth day of April last past now belonging to John Smock in the County of Monmouth in New Jersey which said female child was born under the Abolition Act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey by virtue of which act she the said female child will become free and entitled to freedom at the age of twenty one years. - In Testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written. Robert McChesney } Thos. Hance } Judges Received July 27th 1818 & recorded by Deare CLK"

Somerset County birth records of enslaved children contain the following record: Book A, Page 244 Child: Alfred Mother: Jude Enslaver of mother and child: Peter Voorhees Location: Montgomery Birth date: 25 July 1818 Reported date: 16 March 1819 Clerk: Samuel Swan

Mark Harris Jr. was born on July 27, 1818, in New Brunswick, the son of Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Ambo's enslaver John Neilson reported Mark's birth to the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare). The following is a transcript of Mark's birth record in the County Clerk's register: "I certify that Mark born of Ambo my col'd servant woman (by Mark her husband) was born in New Brunswick 27 July 1818 New Brunswick County of Middlesex State of New Jersey. - John Neilson Received May 3d 1820 recorded by Deare Clk"