New Jersey Slavery Records

Rose, aged 38, was manumitted by James R. McChesney of South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of South Brunswick (Andrew McDowell and Daniel J. Barricklo) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Nathaniel Hunt and Joseph McChesney) on April 9, 1821. The document stated that Rose 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 April 9, 1821, by James R. McChesney and witnessed by Justice of the Peace Robert McChesney. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 14, 1821.

Charles Harris, aged 21, was manumitted by Garret Story of East Windsor, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The deed of manumission was executed on April 21, 1821, by Garret Story and witnessed by Robert Job and Andrew Rowan. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on April 23, 1821. Only the deed of manumission appears in the clerk's book; a certificate of manumission for Charles Harris was not recorded.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Lys Mother: not listed Enslaver of mother and child: Everett Van Auken Location: Newton, NJ Birth date: 25 April 1821 Recorded date: 5 August 1825 Clerk: David D. Chandler The enslaver signed by his mark and is presumed to be illiterate.

Susan was manumitted by Sarah Goelet of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Perth Amboy (Joseph Marsh and Charles Ford) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Skinner and Robert Arnold) on May 2, 1821. The document stated that Susan 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. Susan's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on May 2, 1821, by Sarah Goelet. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on September 24, 1821.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 82 Child: Julia Mother: Bet Enslaver of mother and child: Benjamin Dunham Location: Middlesex County, NJ Birth date: May 3, 1821 Reported date: April 23, 1831 Clerk: T. S. Van Arsdalen The birth certificate does not list a specific location within Middlesex County.

Isabella Brown, aged 38, was manumitted by George Y. Brewster of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Jonathan Freeman, Frazee Ayers, and Moses Martin) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Ichabod Potter and Josiah Ford) on June 2, 1821. The document stated that Isabella Brown 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 June 2, 1821, by George Y. Brewster. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 22, 1821.

Margaret Ward, aged 22, was manumitted by On Ward of East Windsor, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The deed of manumission was executed on July 2, 1821, by On Ward, in the presence of witnesses John C. Ward and Patience Ward. The document was notarized by Justice of the Peace Andrew Rowan. This deed was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 11, 1821.

On July 28, 1821, James Neilson manumitted a Black man named Mark. Although Mark's family name was not recorded on the manumission deed and certificate, other historical records indicate that his name was Mark Harris Sr. This manumission was the result of a long-standing agreement that James Neilson made when he purchased Mark Harris from Benjamin Taylor in 1816. James Neilson had promised to free Mark Harris after a term of service that was supposed to expire on March 12, 1821. The manumission documents were filed in Somerset County, and James Neilson's residence was recorded as the City of New Brunswick in the Township of Franklin, Somerset County. At that time, a large portion of New Brunswick was in Somerset County; the city has since been unified so that the entire city is presently in Middlesex County.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Jude Mother: Poll Enslaver of mother and child: John D. Van Horn Location: Sussex County (locality not specified) Birth date: 3 Aug 1821 Recorded date: 10 Aug 1822 Clerk: Greene

Ruth Ryer (née Ruth Dennis) was manumitted by the last will and testament of Marmaduke Hunt of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey, who died in 1814 when Ruth was a child. Isaac Sayres, the son-in-law and executor of Marmaduke Hunt's estate, brought Ruth Ryer to court to complete the legal process and obtain a certificate of manumission. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Jonathan Freeman and Frazee Ayers) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Josiah Ford and Ichabod Potter) on August 14, 1821. The document stated that Ruth Ryer 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 14, 1821, by Isaac Sayres. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 22, 1821. Ruth's exact age was not recorded in the documents from 1821. Note that Marmaduke Hunt wished for Ruth to be freed when she turned age 18, but New Jersey law required individuals to be at least 21 years old before they were eligible to be legally manumitted. It can be inferred that Ruth was close to age 21 at the time of her manumission. The manumission documents refer to her as "Ruth Ryer formerly called Ruth Dennis," suggesting that she was probably married by this time to a man named Ryer.

Edward, aged 23, was manumitted by Ann Parker 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 (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on August 18, 1821. The document stated that Edward 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 18, 1821, by Ann Parker. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 20, 1821.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Philis Mother: Jane Enslaver of mother and child: Dan Hurd Location: Sussex County (locality not specified) Birth date: 28 Aug 1821 Recorded date: 12 March 1822 Clerk: Greene 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.

Robin, aged 30, was manumitted by George Brown of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The deed of manumission was executed on October 6, 1821, by George Brown in the presence of witnesses Nathaniel F. Bennet and Stout Drake. George Brown appeared before Justice of the Peace Richard Marsh on January 1, 1823, to acknowledge his signature on the deed. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 24, 1823.

Susan Johnson, aged 30, was manumitted by Elijah Davis 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 (Andrew Rowan and William Tindall) on October 6, 1821. The document stated that Susan Johnson 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 6, 1821, by Elijah Davis. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 22, 1821.

Henry Compton, aged 22, was manumitted by Miles Smith 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 (James Dunham and Samuel Stelle) on November 12, 1821. The document stated that Henry Compton 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 certificate was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 15, 1821. The deed of manumission was also executed on November 12, 1821, by Miles Smith and witnessed by Littleton Kirkpatrick and Miles C. Smith. The deed was recorded by Deare years later in June of 1825.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Hannah Mother: Peg or Margret Enslaver of mother and child: Benjamin Westbrook Location: Sussex County (Locality not listed) Birth date: November 13, 1821 Recorded date: December 1, 1821 Clerk: Green

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 68 Child: Julian Mother: Kate Enslaver of mother and child: A.S. Clark Location: North Brunswick, NJ Birth date: December 18, 1821 Reported date: July 22, 1822 Clerk: William Philips Deare

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 70 Child: William Henry Mother: Mary Enslaver of mother and child: Richard Munley Location: North Brunswick, NJ Birth date: December 27, 1821 Reported date: March 21, 1823 Clerk: William Philips Deare

Henry Staats was recorded as a member of the African Association of New Brunswick on January 1, 1822. He paid 50 cents membership dues.

Phillis Neilson was recorded as a member of the African Association of New Brunswick who paid dues during the meeting of January 1, 1822. She paid 25 cents membership dues (the customary 6-month dues for enslaved members of the organization). Her name was recorded in the association's minute book as "Phillis Nelson." At the time of this meeting, she was still an enslaved woman, but she would be manumitted by John Neilson fifteen days later. This is the last time that Phillis's name is recorded in the organization's minute book; she was a member from 1820 to 1822.

Slaveholder John Neilson manumitted Ambo Harris on January 16, 1822. Ambo Harris would have been in her 30s at the time, but her exact age was not recorded on the manumission documents. The manumission certificate refers to her as "female slave named Ambo" and does not list her last name, but other archival documents indicate that her family name by marriage was Harris. The manumission certificate was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of the Township of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and two Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Dunham and Nicholas Booraem Jr.). The original certificate was preserved in the Neilson Family Papers. A manuscript copy of the manumission certificate for Ambo, dated January 16, 1822, appears on page 351 in the Book of Manumissions for Middlesex County; a copy of John Neilson's deed of manumission for Ambo, dated January 18, 1822, appears on page 353. The documents were recorded in the book by Middlesex County Clerk William P. Deare on January 16, 1822, and January 21, 1822. Relatedly, John Neilson also manumitted Phillis Neilson on the same day.

Slaveholder John Neilson manumitted Phillis Neilson on January 16, 1822. Phillis's exact age was not recorded on the manumission certificate, which noted only that she was not over 40 years old as required by New Jersey's law regulating manumissions. Since we know that Phillis was born before 1787 when she was sold with her mother to John Neilson, we can calculate that Phillis would have been between 35 and 40 years old at the time of the manumission in 1822. Only Phillis's first name was recorded on the manumission certificate, but other archival documents from the African Association of New Brunswick indicate that she used the last name Neilson (or Nelson) in the 1820s. The manumission certificate was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of the Township of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and two Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Dunham and Nicholas Booraem Jr.). The original certificate was preserved in the Neilson Family Papers. A manuscript copy of the manumission certificate for Phillis, dated January 16, 1822, appears on page 351 in the Book of Manumissions for Middlesex County; a copy of John Neilson's deed of manumission for Phillis, dated January 18, 1822, appears on page 352. The documents were recorded in the book by Middlesex County Clerk William P. Deare on January 16, 1822, and January 21, 1822. Relatedly, John Neilson also manumitted Ambo Harris on the same day.

Hannah Allen was manumitted by her mother (herself a formerly enslaved Black woman) Sarah Ball of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The manumission registration took place on February 19, 1822. Hannah Allen was an adult at this time, but her exact age was not recorded in the manumission documents. This is one of two manumissions recorded in Middlesex County where the enslaver performing the manumission is a Black person (see also the manumission of George Wiles by Benjamin James). The documents related to Hannah Allen's manumission explain that Hannah had been born into slavery; that is, her mother Sarah Ball was enslaved at the time of Hannah's birth. Sometime after giving birth to Hannah, Sarah Ball gained freedom and then purchased Hannah from her former enslaver (whose name is not noted in these documents). The documents also state that Hannah was married to a free man of color named John Allen, and thus Allen was Hannah's married name. Two documents for Hannah Allen appear in the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions. First, the certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and two Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Nicholas Booraem Jr. and James Dunham) on February 19, 1822. This document stated that Hannah Allen 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. Second, the deed of manumission was executed by Sarah Ball on the same day, February 19, 1822. Sarah Ball signed the document by her mark, i.e. placing an X on the page above her name (which was the form of signing used by persons who could not write their name). The following is the transcript of the deed of manumission as it appears on page 355 of the Middlesex County Book of Manumissions: "Manumission Hannah / Know all men by these presents that I Sarah Ball of the township of North Brunswick in the County of Middlesex for sundry good causes & considerations me thereunto moving have liberated, manumitted & set free my daughter Hannah, the wife of John Allen, a free colored man and therefore usually called Hannah Allen, who was born a slave, and has long since become my property by purchase; which said Hannah is sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity of obtaining a support, and also is not under the age of twenty one years, nor above the age of forty years, as appears by the certificate of the Overseer of the Poor for the said Township of North Brunswick and two of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, filed in the Clerks office for the said county. And I do hereby liberate manumit and set free the said Hannah Allen so that she may enjoy all the rights privileges & immunities of a free person according to the true intent and meaning of the Act of the Legislature in that case made and provided. -- In Witness whereof I the said Sarah Ball have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this nineteenth day of February in the year of one thousand eight hundred and twenty two. -- Sarah X Ball her mark Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of } Geo. F.O. Hauts. Littleton Kirkpatrick }" The deed was notarized by Chief Justice of New Jersey Andrew Kirkpatrick on same day when it was signed, February 19, 1822. Both the deed and the related certificate were received and recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on April 23, 1822.

The following birth record from Gloucester County was transcribed by the Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration. The transcript was originally published in 1940 in the book titled Transcriptions of Early County Records of New Jersey: Gloucester County Series Slave Documents. The transcript is reproduced below as it appeared in that book. Note that Waterford was in Gloucester County at the time, and it is now part of Camden County. GLOUCESTER COUNTY DOCUMENT NUMBER: 7 TRANSCRIPT: State of New Jersey Gloucester County ss I William Tod of the township of Waterford, in the County and state aforesaid, do hereby Certify that on the Seventeenth day of March A D eighteen hundred and Twenty Two, a Male Child aged at this time about one week Named Toby Was born of the body of Biddy a Coloured Woman and Slave of the Subscriber's - Which Certificate is produced to the Clerk of the said County, to be recorded this twenty third day of March A B 1822. William Tod [Verso] Certificate of Male child named "Toby" Slave of Wm Tod filed March 22d 1822 J J Foster Clk Recorded in Book A of Manumissions folio 17. J J Foster Clk

The Middlesex County Book of Manumissions contains a copy of a deed of manumission for Dinah, signed by William DeGroot on March 18, 1822. The deed describes her thus: "Dinah my female slave, being a minor under the age of twenty one years." The deed was witnessed by Thomas [Letson?] and Edmund Dunham and notarized by Justice of the Peace Joseph McChesney. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on March 19, 1822, on page 354 of the book. No certificate of manumission is attached to this deed, and it is uncertain whether Dinah's manumission was ever finalized and made legal. Note that an enslaved person had to be an adult aged at least 21 (and not over 40) in order to be eligible for manumission under New Jersey law. The manumission process required the enslaved person's age and physical and mental ability to be certified by the local Overseer of the Poor and two Justices of the Peace for the county. This means that, if Dinah was a minor in 1822, she could not be officially manumitted under the law at that time. It is possible that William DeGroot would go on to complete the manumission process for Dinah at a later time when she reached age 21, but a certificate of manumission from county officials has not been recorded for her in the county clerk's book. The location of this event is uncertain, but may be Piscataway. The manumission deed for Dinah lists the location as Middlesex County and does not specify a locality. William DeGroot was known to be a resident of the township of Piscataway (based on other county records), and one of the witnesses being Edmund Dunham also points to Piscataway as the Dunham family mostly resided in that township. On the other hand, Justice of the Peace Joseph McChesney, who notarized the deed, worked mostly (though not exclusively) in South Brunswick Township.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Mark Mother: Rachel Enslaver of mother and child: Jos Northrup Location: Newton Birth date: 22 March 1822 Recorded date: 28 Aug 1822 Clerk: Green

Upon the death of her husband Gerardus Beekman in March 1822, the widow Jane Beekman took legal ownership of Charlotte, as was stipulated in Gerardus Beekman's will written in 1814. The will was proved on March 27, 1822, shortly after Gerardus Beekman's death. Charlotte would be 16 years old at this time, and she had 5 years of service remaining until she would be emancipated under New Jersey's gradual abolition law.

Samuel Lee, aged 37, was manumitted by Joseph Stout 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 (William Tindall and Samuel Gulick) on April 12, 1822. The document stated that Samuel Lee 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 April 12, 1822, by Joseph Stout. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 10, 1822.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Eanes Mother: name not listed Enslaver of mother and child: Isaac C. Burrell Location: Sandiston Township Birth date: 13 April 1822 Recorded date: 16 Dec 1822 Clerk: Greene

Margret was manumitted by George T. McDowell and John T. McDowell (acting jointly) both of South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of South Brunswick (Andrew McDowell and Daniel J. Barricklo) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (John Bastedo and Samuel Gulick) on April 13, 1822. The document stated that Margret 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. Margret's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on April 13, 1822, by George T. McDowell and John T. McDowell, in the presence of witnesses Isaac Scudder and John Barricklo. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 3, 1822.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Jim Mother: Dine Dewitt Enslaver of mother and child: Bow Decker Location: Sussex County (locality not specified) Birth date: 12 May 1822 Recorded date: 16 June 1829 Clerk: David D. Chandler The same slip of paper contained another record for a boy named Ben, son of Dine Decker. The place of birth was not specified on the certificate, but Bowdewine Decker was a well-known resident of Wantage, and it can be inferred that the child was born there.

Miller was manumitted by Abraham Schuyler Neilson 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 (Nicholas Booraem Jr. and James Dunham) on May 18, 1822. The certificate identified the enslaver as "Abrm. S. Neilson of the firm James H. Neilson of the Township of North Brunswick." The document stated that Miller 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. Miller's exact age was not recorded in the document. The original certificate was preserved in Neilson Family Papers, held at Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries. A copy of this document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 18, 1822, in his Book of Manumissions on p. 359. The transcript of the original certificate follows: "State of New Jersey Middlesex County to wit, We do hereby certify that On this eighteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty two, Abrm. S. Neilson of the firm James H. Neilson of the Township of North Brunswick in the County of Middlesex aforesaid, brought before us, the Overseer of the poor of the said Township of North Brunswick, and two of the Justices of the Peace of the said County of Middlesex, his male slave named Miller, who on view & examination appears to us to be sound in mind, and not under any bodily incapacity of obtaining a support, and also is not under the age of twenty one years nor above the age of forty years. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day & year above written Abrm. Van Arsdalen } Overseer of the poor of North Brunswick Nicholas Booraem Jr. } James Dunham } Justices of the peace"

Sam was manumitted by William Letson 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 Stelle and James Dunham) on June 1, 1822. The document stated that Sam 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. Sam's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on June 6, 1822, by William Letson in the presence of witness James Dunham and was notarized by John Terhune. The certificate was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 3, 1822, and the deed was recorded by him on June 6, 1822.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 71 Child: Elias Mother: Kate Enslaver of mother and child: Obadiah Burlew Location: South Amboy, NJ Birth date: June 2, 1822 Reported date: July 10, 1823 Clerk: William Philips Deare

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 71 Child: Jane Mother: Bett Enslaver of mother and child: Andrew Bell Location: Perth Amboy, NJ Birth date: July 13, 1822 Reported date: April 14, 1823 Clerk: William Philips Deare The same document also listed the birth of Bett's daughter Daphne, born October 8, 1820.

Benjamin, aged 28, was manumitted by Robert Boggs 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 (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on July 27, 1822. The document stated that Benjamin 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 July 27, 1822, by Robert Boggs. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 27, 1822.

John Annin, aged 25, was manumitted by James Parker (1776-1868) of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The manumission documents listed the man as "John Annin (usually called Jack)." The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Perth Amboy (Joseph Marsh and Charles Ford) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Skinner and Robert Arnold) on August 8, 1822. The document stated that John Annin 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 8, 1822, by James Parker in the presence of James Skinner and Joseph Marsh. The deed was unusually detailed and provided additional information about Jack and about James Parker's reasons for manumitting him at this time. James Parker's deed stated that he had purchased Jack in 1807 from Joseph Annin of Somerset County, New Jersey. At the time of this slave sale in 1807, Jack was a 10-year-old boy, and James Parker promised to manumit the boy on his 25th birthday. James Parker also mentioned in the deed that he chose age 25 to manumit Jack because that was the age of manumission provided for boys born after July 4, 1804, under New Jersey’s gradual abolition law. Because Jack was born in 1797, seven years before gradual abolition began, he was not eligible for manumission under this law, and he was considered a slave for life. Nevertheless, James Parker agreed that Jack should attain freedom at age 25. James Parker was a New Jersey legislator and a supporter of the gradual abolition process. Both the certificate and the deed were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 20, 1822. ----- The following is a complete transcript of pages 364-365 in the Clerk's Book of Manumissions where these documents appear: "364 / Certificate } 
John Annin } 
als. Jack } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } To wit, We do hereby certify that on the eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two, James Parker of the township of Perth Amboy in the said County of Middlesex brought before us two of the Overseers of the Poor of the said township and two of the Justices of the Peace of the said County his slave named John Annin (usually called Jack) who on view and examination appears to us to be sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity of attaining a support and also is not under the age of twenty one years nor above the age of forty years. — In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written.
 Joseph Marsh }
 Charles Ford } Overseers of the Poor of the said township of Perth Amboy — 

James Skinner } 
Robt Arnold } Justices of the Peace for the said County of Middlesex

 Received Aug. 20th, 1822 & recorded by Deare CLK
 
Manumission }
 John Annin } als. Jack } 
To all whom these presents shall come— Whereas I James Parker of Perth Amboy in the said County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey am entitled to the services of John Annin (usually called Jack) as a slave for life having purchased the same of Joseph Annin of Somerset County in the year one thousand eight hundred and seven the said John being then the age of ten years or thereabouts, And it having been always my intentions to manumit and - 365 / - set free the said John at the age of twenty five years the period fixed by law for those who were born since the fourth day of July 1804, and he having now or lately attained that age. Now know all men by these presents that I the said James Parker in execution of my said intention and in consideration of the faithful services rendered me by the said John Annin have manumitted and set free, and by these presents do manumit and set free him the said John Annin my said slave of and from all services due and from all claim and demand whatsoever which I may or can have upon him as a slave as aforesaid - so that the said John Annin shall hereafter be and considered a free man - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundrend and twenty two. — James Parker Signed sealed and delivered } in the presence of } James Skinner - Joseph Marsh } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } Be it remembered that on the eighth day of August 1822 before me James Skinner one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid personally appeared James Parker known to me as the grantor in the written deed of Manumission & to whom I made known the contents thereof - who did acknowledge that he signed sealed and delivered same as his act & deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. — James Skinner Recorded August 20, 1822 & recorded by Deare CLK"

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Albert Francis Grove Mother: Jane Enslaver of mother and child: Mary Coursen Location: Hardwick Birth date: 28 Aug 1822 Recorded date: 19 Nov 1824 Clerk: Greene

Dick, a 16-year-old Black boy, left the house of his enslaver Daniel Woodmansee, near Princeton, on September 1, 1822, in the company of a man named John. Woodmansee published a runaway ad in a New Brunswick newspaper saying that Dick was "stolen away" by John. The notice described Dick as a "mulatto boy" and John as a man of "sandy complexion" with "blue eyes." It is not entirely clear whether Dick ran away to escape bondage with John's help or was kidnapped by John. Daniel Woodmansee offered a reward of $50 for Dick's capture and return and an additional reward of $20 for the capture of John, presumably with the intention of pursuing criminal charges against John. ----- Transcript of the source document: "Seventy Dollars Reward. STOLEN away from the subscriber on the first instant by a man who calls himself John, a mullatto boy by the name of DICK, about five feet five inches high, sixteen years old, his hair cut close to his head—Had on when he went away a mixt roundabout roram hat, patched shirt, tow trowsers, good shoes—Whoever shall take up said boy and confine him in jail so that the owner can get him again, or convey him home shall receive fifty dollars.—A further reward of twenty dollars will be paid for the man who stole the boy. The man is about five feet ten inches high, sandy complexion, blue eyes deep in his head, his left hand somewhat withered—Had on when in this neighborhood working clothes. Daniel Woodmansee. Near Princeton, Sept. 12, 1822"

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Daniel Mother: not listed Enslaver of mother and child: Everett Van Auken Location: Newton, NJ Birth date: 18 September 1822 Recorded date: 5 August 1825 Clerk: David D. Chandler The enslaver signed by his mark and is presumed to be illiterate.

Jack Noe, aged 36, was manumitted by Thomas Moore of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Frazee Ayers and Moses Martin) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Josiah Ford and Ichabod Potter) on October 9, 1822. The document stated that Jack Noe 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 9, 1822, by Thomas Moore. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on November 4, 1822.

Dinah, aged 22, was manumitted by Abraham Nevius 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 Stelle and James Dunham) on October 17, 1822. The document stated that Dinah 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 17, 1822, by Abraham Nevins. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 17, 1822.

An apprentice named Samuel Myers, who was 19 years old, ran away from his master William Conover of Raritan Landing, Middlesex County, NJ, on November 2, 1822. Conover published a runaway notice in a New Brunswick newspaper offering 6 cents reward for Myers's return. Myers was likely a man of African ancestry; he was described by William Conover as having a "dark complexion" and "brown curly hair." ----- Transcript of the source document: "SIX CENTS REWARD. RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 2d inst. an apprentice boy named Samuel Myers, about 19 years of age, five feet six inches high, dark complexion, brown curly hair.—As he took with him a variety of clothing. I will not attempt to describe it. Whoever takes up said runaway and delivers him to me shall receive the above reward. William Conover. Raritan Landing, Nov. 12. 3tp"

Somerset County birth records of enslaved children contain a birth registration document for siblings Dick, Joseph, Lewis, and Samuel. Samuel's information is as follows: Book A, Page 301 Child: Samuel Mother: Flora Enslaver of mother and child: John Joline Location: Princeton Birth date: 1 January 1823 Recorded 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.

Hannah Hendrickson, aged 21, was manumitted by John Rattoone of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Perth Amboy (Joseph Marsh and Charles Ford) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Skinner and Robert Arnold) on January 3, 1823. The document stated that Hannah Hendrickson 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 3, 1823, by John Rattoone. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on January 15, 1823.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 78 Child: Silas Mother: Mary Enslaver of mother and child: Enos Ayers Location: North Brunswick, NJ Birth date: January 8, 1823 Reported date: May 27, 1829 Clerk: T. S. Van Arsdalen Sarah Ayers signed the birth certificate on behalf of Enos Ayers on May 27, 1829, but her relationship to Enos Ayers is not clarified in the document. The same document also reported the birth of children Ellen and Catharine Jane.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 71 Child: George Mother: Maria Enslaver of mother and child: Abraham Dunham Birth date: January 11, 1823 Reported date: August 12, 1823 Clerk: William Philips Deare The birth record describes the mother Maria as an "indented Black girl" and notes that she was bound to Abraham Dunham's son Jonathan R. Dunham for a term of years. This suggests that George was born in the household of Jonathan R. Dunham where Maria was living at that time. The birth certificate does not list a specific location within Middlesex County; however, other historical records about Abraham Dunham indicate that he was a resident of Piscataway. The following is a complete transcript of the document: "Maria / August 12th 1823, I certify that my indented Black girl Maria bound to Son Jonathan R. Dunham for a term of years had a male child born eleventh January eighteen hundred & twenty three named George. Abraham Dunham Received September 1st 1823 & recorded by Deare Clk"

Betsey, aged 34, was manumitted by Robert Boggs of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Manumission documents noted that she was "named Betsey, otherwise called Eve." 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 (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on March 29, 1823. The document stated that Betsey 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 March 29, 1823, by Robert Boggs, in the presence of witness Samuel S. Deare. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on March 31, 1823.

Somerset County Register of Black Children, Manumissions, and Removals, Book A, Page 305, contains a manumission record for Caesar, who was released from slavery on 21 April 1823. Caesar was manumitted by David Kirkpatrick Jr., who lived in the area of Mine Brook in Bernards township. The manumission document states that Caesar was 38 years old at the time of this event. The document was entered into the book by the County Clerk (Isaac Southard) on 7 February 1824. The manumission record was signed by the Overseers of the Poor for the township (John McMurtrey and John Parsells) and Justices of the Peace for Somerset County (William Van Deren and Thomas Whitenack). The certificate of manumission appears on p. 305 and was recorded on 26 May 1823. The deed of manumission signed by David Kirkpatrick (and witnessed by his sons Walter and Hugh) appears on p. 320 and was recorded on 7 February 1824. The certificate and the deed were both executed on 21 April 1823.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Ben Mother: Dine Decker Enslaver of mother and child: Bow Decker Location: Sussex County (locality not specified) Birth date: 11 May 1823 Recorded date: 16 June 1829 Clerk: David D. Chandler The same slip of paper contained a record for another boy named Jim, son of Dine Dewitt. The place of birth was not specified on the certificate, but Bowdewine Decker was a well-known resident of Wantage, and it can be inferred that the child was born there.

Philip St. Clair was manumitted by the last will and testament of Israel Thornal of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The executors of Israel Thornal's estate (Lewis Thornal and Manning Thornal) signed a deed of manumission for Philip St. Clair in May 1823, in the presence of witnesses Jonathan Freeman and David P. Hull. The exact date of the document is uncertain because there is a discrepancy in the dates recorded: the executors wrote out the date May 20, 1823, Judge Ichabod Potter who notarized the document wrote down May 12, 1823. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) in his Book of Manumissions on June 13, 1823. Note that Israel Thornal had died in May 1819, four years prior to Philip St. Clair's manumission. Philip had to wait until he turned 21 to gain freedom because the laws of New Jersey required that candidates for manumission be at least 21 years of age.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 88 Child: Judy Mother: Lydia Enslaver of mother and child: Nehemiah Dye Location: Middlesex County, NJ Birth date: May 28, 1823 Reported date: September 17, 1842 Clerk: Nicholas Booraem The document does not mention a specific location in Middlesex County.

Jane Miller, aged 39, was manumitted by John N. Simpson 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 (Robert McChesney and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on June 12, 1823. The document stated that Jane Miller 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 June 12, 1823, by John N. Simpson. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 13, 1823. Relatedly, John N. Simpson manumitted a 32-year-old man named Richard Miller at the same time.

Richard Miller, aged 32, was manumitted by John N. Simpson 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 (Robert McChesney and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on June 12, 1823. The document stated that Richard Miller 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 June 12, 1823, by John N. Simpson. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 13, 1823. Relatedly, John N. Simpson also manumitted a 39-year-old woman named Jane Miller at the same time.

Cornelius Jaques, aged 24, was manumitted by John D. Jaques of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Jonathan Freeman and Moses Martin) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Ichabod Potter and Richard Marsh) on June 23, 1823. The document stated that Cornelius Jaques 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 December 16, 1823.

Dinah was manumitted by Abraham Schuyler Neilson of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission listed the enslaver's name as "A. S. Neilson of the township of North Brunswick." The certificate was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Nicholas Booraem Jr. and James Dunham) on June 25, 1823. The document stated that Dinah 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. Dinah's exact age was not recorded in the document. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 14, 1823.

Abraham, aged 39, was manumitted by Charles Smith 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 (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on June 27, 1823. The document stated that Abraham 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 June 27, 1823, by Charles Smith. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 1, 1823.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Juliann Mother: Peg Enslaver of mother and child: John VanDeren Location: Sussex County (location not specified) Birth date: 28 June 1823 Recorded date: 19 February 1825 Clerk: Greene The birth of Juliann's older brother Mungo was reported on the same slip of paper.

Sometime before July 8, 1823, a Black woman named Betty ran away from her enslaver Amos Day, of Connecticut Farms in Essex County, New Jersey (present-day Union Township in Union County). Amos Day submitted a notice regarding Betty to a Newark newspaper called the Centinel of Freedom on July 8, but he did not mention how long Betty had been gone by that time. The advertisement is rather unique because Amos Day did not offer any reward for Betty's return, nor requested that Betty be apprehended or jailed. Instead, the ad warned people in the neighborhood not to extend credit to Betty and said that Amos Day had no intention of paying Betty's debts. This was very unusual for runaway ads related to enslaved people, and this kind of notice was usually seen when wives ran away from their husbands. Amos Day's ad suggests that he believed (or knew) Betty did not go very far from his household. Evidently, Betty continued to stay away from Amos Day's house. See another notice related to Betty a year later. ----- Transcript of the source document: "Notice is hereby given, THAT BETTY, a coloured Woman, and a Slave to me, has eloped without my consent. This is to warn all persons not to trust or keep her on my account, as I will pay no debts of her contracting. AMOS DAY. July 8, 1823. 7"

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Hariet Mother: Betty Enslaver of mother and child: Nathan A. Shafer Location: Stillwater Birth date: 14 July 1823 Recorded date: 19 July 1824 Clerk: Greene The name of the child's father is not listed in the document. It is possible that the father was a man named Nun, who was also enslaved by the Shafer family, and who was the father of Harriet's older brother Robert.

Jane, aged 21, was manumitted by Thomas Hill of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Henry Dye) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Andrew Rowan and William Tindall Jr.) on August 7, 1823. The document stated that Jane 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 7, 1823, by Thomas Hill. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 7, 1823.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Tousaint Milford Mother: Dinah Enslaver of mother and child: Samuel Price Location: Sussex County (Frankford Township) Birth date: 13 Aug 1823 Recorded date: 19 Aug 1823 Clerk: Greene The same slip of paper also reported the birth of Tousaint Milford's older brother James Boyer.

Jane, aged 25, was manumitted by Mary Minto 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 (Andrew Rowan and William Tindall Jr.) on August 14, 1823. The document stated that Jane 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 14, 1823, by Mary Minto in the presence of witnesses David J. Dye and Walter M. Skelton. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on August 15, 1823.

Samuel Lawrance, aged 22, was manumitted by John Rattoone of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Perth Amboy (Charles Ford and Joseph Marsh) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Robert Arnold and James Skinner) on August 30, 1823. The document stated that Samuel Lawrance 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 30, 1823, by John Rattoone. The deed provided information about Samuel Lawrance's birthday, stating "coloured Slave Samuel Lawrance will be twenty three years of age on the twenty second day of October next" (meaning October 22, 1823). The certificate and the deed were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 11, 1823.

Simon was manumitted by Edward T. Stelle 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 Stelle and Enoch Fitz Randolph) on August 30, 1823. 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 September 5, 1823 on page 388 of his Book of Manumissions. The deed of manumission was executed on September 2, 1823, by Edward T. Stelle in the presence of witnesses William M. Stelle and Abel Stelle. On March 1, 1825, Edward T. Stelle appeared before Justice of the Peace Nicholas Booream Jr. to acknowledge his signature on the deed, and the deed was then recorded on the same day by Deare in his book on pages 425-426.

Suzan Lawrance, aged 21, was manumitted by John Rattoone of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Perth Amboy (Charles Ford and Joseph Marsh) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Skinner and Robert Arnold) on September 3, 1823. The document stated that Suzan Lawrance 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 September 3, 1823, by John Rattoone in the presence of witnesses John Young and Judge Robert Arnold. The deed described Suzan thus: "female slave named Suzan Lawrance who will be twenty two years of age in July next" (i.e. July 1824). Both the certificate and the deed were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 29, 1823.

Sarah was manumitted by Garret Voorhees of South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of South Amboy (George Snowhill) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Robert McChesney and John Dey) on September 4, 1823. The document stated that Sarah 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 certificate did not list Sarah's age. The deed of manumission was executed on September 4, 1823, by Garret Voorhees in the presence of witnesses James P. Voorhees and Judge Robert McChesney. Both of these documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on September 10, 1823. The copy of the deed of manumission in the Clerk's book described Sarah thus: "negro female slave named Sarah of the age of twenty ___ years or thereabouts," leaving a blank space after the word twenty. It can be inferred that Sarah was probably between the ages of 21 and 29 at the time of her manumission (since 21 was the minimum age required for the manumission process).

Margaret, aged 28, was manumitted by the last will and testament of Peter Vredenburgh (1745-1823) of New Brunswick in the Township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The executors of Peter Vredenburgh's estate (son Peter Vredenburgh and brother-in-law James Schureman) brought Margaret to court to complete the process and obtain a certificate of manumission on September 12, 1823. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of New Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.). The document stated that Margaret 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 by the executors Peter Vredenburgh and James Schureman. The deed lists the date October 12, 1823, but the word "October" may be a mistake here. The certificate and deed were both recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) in his Book of Manumissions on September 16, 1823, and it appears likely that both documents were originally signed at the same time on September (not October) 12, 1823. A man named Tom was manumitted by the executors on the same day.

Tom, aged 26, was manumitted by the last will and testament of Peter Vredenburgh (1745-1823) of New Brunswick in the Township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The executors of Peter Vredenburgh's estate (son Peter Vredenburgh and brother-in-law James Schureman) brought Tom to court to complete the process and obtain a certificate of manumission on September 12, 1823. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of New Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.). The document stated that Tom 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 by the executors Peter Vredenburgh and James Schureman on September 12, 1823. The certificate and deed were both recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) in his Book of Manumissions on September 16, 1823. A woman named Margaret was manumitted by the executors on the same day.

Rachel was manumitted by Jonathan Dayton 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 Stelle and Enoch Fitz Randolph) on September 20, 1823. The document stated that Rachel 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. Rachel's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on October 1, 1823, by Jonathan Dayton in the presence of witness Peter Dayton, and was notarized by Judge Josiah Ford on December 11, 1823. Both of these documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 12, 1823.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Ellen Mother: Pat Enslaver of mother and child: N. Green Location: Hardwick Birth date: 20 Nov 1823 Recorded date: 16 Oct 1824 Clerk: Ephraim Green

Ann, aged 24, was manumitted by Henry Cotheal and David Cotheal (acting jointly), both of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Jonathan Freeman and Frazee Ayers) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Josiah Ford and Ichabod Potter) on November 20, 1823. The document stated that Ann 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 November 20, 1823, by Henry Cotheal and David Cotheal. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on November 25, 1823.

Catherine, aged 35, was manumitted by George Morris in South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of South Brunswick (Andrew McDowell and Daniel J. Barricklo) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Joseph McChesney and Aaron Gulick) on December 6, 1823. The document stated that Catherine 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 December 6, 1823, by George Morris in the presence of John P. Bergen and Judge Joseph McChesney. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 11, 1823.

Rosetta Trunley, aged 22, was manumitted by Lawrence McCombs of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Jonathan Freeman and Moses Martin) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Ichabod Potter and Richard Marsh) on December 13, 1823. The document stated that Rosetta Trunley 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 December 13, 1823, by Lawrence McCombs. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 16, 1823.

Somerset County Register of Black Children and Manumissions, Book B, Page 1, contains a manumission record for Thomas, who was released from slavery on 13 December 1823 in Montgomery. Thomas was manumitted by Richard Stockton, the owner of the Morven mansion in Princeton (then part of Montgomery Township). The manumission document states that Thomas was an adult between 21 and 40 years old, but the exact age was not recorded. The document was entered into the book by the County Clerk (Isaac Southard) on 23 February 1824. The manumission record was signed by the Overseers of the Poor for the township (William Duryea and Peter Voorhees) and Justices of the Peace for Somerset County (William Cruser and John Stout).

Antony, aged 37, was manumitted by Aaron Hassert of New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of New Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on December 18, 1823. The document stated that Antony 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 December 18, 1823, by Aaron Hassert in the presence of witness Caroline Hassert. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on January 2, 1824.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Enos (or Enus) Mother: Yon Enslaver of mother and child: Jacob Hornbeck Location: Sussex County Birth date: 23 Dec 1823 Recorded date: 27 Jan 1824 Clerk: Green This record does not specify the locality within Sussex County. However, other birth certificates filed by Jacob Hornbeck list him as a resident of Sandyston. Thus, it can be inferred that Enos was also born in Sandyston.

Harry was manumitted by James Martin 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 (Enoch Fitz Randolph and William Benjamin Manning) on December 25, 1823. The document stated that Harry 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. Harry's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on December 25, 1823, by James Martin in the presence of witnesses Phineas Fitz Randolph and James Martin Jr. The deed was notarized by Judge Nicholas Booraem Jr on December 30, 1823. Both of these documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 30, 1823.

Henry Staats was recorded as a member of the African Association of New Brunswick on January 1, 1824.

George Ross was manumitted by Robert R. Ross of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Frazee Ayers and Jonathan Freeman) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (John Harriott and William Benjamin Manning) on March 27, 1824. The document stated that George Ross 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. George Ross's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on March 27, 1824, by Robert R. Ross. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 4, 1824.

In April 1824, Peter Cuff ran away from Benjamin Field. About two months later, in June 1824, Benjamin Field submitted a runaway advertisement to the New Brunswick newspaper the Fredonian. The ad ran weekly until the end of November, pointing to Peter Cuff's success in evading capture. The ad did not list the place of residence for Benjamin Field, but it can be assumed to be in the vicinity of New Brunswick. There were two adult men named Benjamin Field living in that area in the 1820s, and both were associated with Bound Brook, Somerset County. Thus it can be inferred that Peter Cuff ran away from Bound Brook. ----- Transcript of the source document: "$20 REWARD. RANAWAY from the subscriber on Monday [blank space] day of April, a negro man named PETER CUFF. Said negro is about 5 feet 6 inches high, had on when he went away, a blue surtout coat, mixed vest and panaloons. All persons are forbid harboring him under the penalty of law. Benjamin Field. June 7, 1824 86-tf"

Pompey was manumitted by Lewis D. Stelle 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 Stelle and Enoch Fitz Randolph) on April 5, 1824. The document stated that Pompey 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. Pompey's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on April 5, 1824, by Lewis D. Stelle. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 8, 1824.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Mary Mother: Rachel Enslaver of mother and child: Joseph Northrup Location: Sussex County (locality not specified) Birth date: 6 April 1824 Recorded date: 13 May 1826 Clerk: David D. Chambers The locality is not specified on this birth certificate. However, another birth certificate submitted by Joseph Northrup for Mary's older brother, Mark, indicates that Northrup was a resident of Newton; thus, it can be inferred that Mary was born in Newton.

Peter was manumitted by Gilbert S. Van Pelt, the executor of the will of Guisbert Sutphen of South Brunswick, NJ. Gilbert S. Van Pelt brought Peter to court to obtain a certificate of manumission on April 10, 1824. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of South Brunswick (Andrew McDowell and Daniel J. Barricklo) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Samuel Gulick and Aaron Gulick). The document stated that Peter 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. Peter's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on April 10, 1824, by Gilbert S. Van Pelt in the presence of witness George A. McDowell. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on April 22, 1824.

David was manumitted by John DeBow 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 (James Dunham and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on May 4, 1824. The document stated that David 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. David's exact age was not recorded in the document. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 5, 1824.

Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 81 Child: Catherine Wallace Mother: Julia Ann Wallace Father: George Wallace Enslaver of mother and child: Ellen Clark Location: Middlesex County, NJ Birth date: May 15, 1824 Reported date: January 31, 1831 Clerk: T. S. Van Arsdalen The birth certificate does not list a specific location within Middlesex County.

William Boen, a Black Quaker and member of the Mount Holly Monthly Meeting, died on 12 June 1824. He was 89 years old. The Society of Friends published memoirs of his life ten years later, which included the text of an obituary notice. As noted on p. 18 of the memoirs: "His weakness continued to increase until he passed quietly away, on the night of the 12th of the 6th month, 1824, in the ninetieth year of his age; and we doubt not, he has entered into his heavenly Father's rest." The following passages on p. 13-14 of the memoirs discuss William Boen's death: "When William was drawing near the close of his long and exemplary life, his bodily powers failed through weakness, and the decay of nature; but his mind was preserved clear and tranquil. At this season, he was frequently visited by a friend, who, on one occasion, made some remarks respecting the calm and peaceful state of mind, which he appeared to enjoy, and inquired of him by what means he had attained to such a happy state. William, in accordance with his common expression of trying all things by the mind, gave this short and comprehensive answer: 'By keeping the mind easy,--and resisting every thing that made it uneasy.' Soon after his death, the following obituary notice, appeared in one of the public papers: 'Died, near Mount Holly, on the 12th instant, in the ninetieth year of his age, William Boen, (alias Heston) a coloured man. Rare, indeed, are the instances that we meet with, in which we feel called upon to record the virtues of any of this afflicted race of people. The decreased, however, was one of those who have demonstrated the truth of that portion of scripture, that "of a truth God is no respecter of persons; but in everynation, they that fear him and work righteousness, are accepted with him.' He was concerned, in early life, 'to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God;' and by a close attention to the light of Christ within, and faithfully abiding under the operation of that blessed spirit of Divine grace in his soul, he was enabled, not only to bear many precious testimonies faithfully, to the end of his days, but also to bring forth those fruits of the spirit which redound to the glory of God, and the salvation of the soul. He was an exemplary member of the religious Society of Friends; and as he lived, so he died,--a rare pattern of a self-denying follower of Jesus Christ. He had no apparent disease,--either of body or mind; but, as he expressed himself a short time before his death, he felt nothing but weakness: which continued to increase, until he gently breathed his last; and is, no doubt, entered into his heavenly Father's rest. 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.' 6th month, 1824."

Samuel, aged 38, was manumitted by Thomas Blackwell of South Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of South Brunswick (Samuel Gulick and Daniel J. Barricklo) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (John Bastedo and Aaron Gulick) on June 12, 1824. The document stated that Samuel 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 June 12, 1824, by Austin D. Blackwell, as agent for Thomas Blackwell (Austin was Thomas Blackwell's son). These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 15, 1824.

On June 14, 1824, enslaver Amos Day submitted a notice that a Black woman named Betty had left his household without his consent. Day lived at Connecticut Farms in Essex County, New Jersey (present-day Union Township in Union County). Day did not offer a reward for Betty's return. This was a follow-up notice as Amos Day had already informed the public a year earlier, in July 1823, that Betty had left. It appears likely that Betty stayed away the whole time, although this is uncertain (it is possible that Betty had come back to Amos Day's house and then left again in the interim). In this second notice, Day offered to sell Betty for $10 to anyone who wished to buy her. This might allow a pathway for Betty, or whoever was harboring her, to officially buy her freedom if they could come up with the $10 price. ----- Transcript of the source document: "NOTICE. WHEREAS a coloured Woman named BETTY, a slave owned by the subscriber, is absent without my consent; notice is therefore given forewarning all person from harbouring said slave or employing her without my permission as they will be prosecuted to the rigour of the law.—Any person wishing to purchase said slave can have a bill of sale for ten dollars. AMOS DAY. Connecticut Farms, June 14, 1824. 5-3w"

The following manumission record from Gloucester County was transcribed by the Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration. The transcript was originally published in 1940 in the book titled Transcriptions of Early County Records of New Jersey: Gloucester County Series Slave Documents. The transcript is reproduced below as it appeared in that book. This is a unique document that illustrates how Daniel Clark (also known as Benjamin Clark) escaped from Delaware and sought freedom in New Jersey. He settled in Newton Township, Gloucester County (this is now Camden and the surrounding area in Camden County). There, he raised $140 from "benevolent persons" who collected money to help pay for his freedom. He paid this $140 and agreed to pay an additional $160 over time, for a total of $300, as his freedom price. His enslaver, Ignatius Taylor, signed the manumission deed on 16 June 1824, freeing Daniel Clark and stipulating that Clark still owed a bond of $160 for the remainder of his price to be paid at a later date. The document also mentions that Daniel Clark was originally enslaved by a man named Jenifer Taylor before he became the legal property of Ignatius Taylor in 1810. GLOUCESTER COUNTY DOCUMENT NUMBER: 46 TRANSCRIPT: Know all Men by these Presents, That Whereas Daniel Clark otherwise called Benjamin Clark a black man Slave born in the county of Kent in the State of Delaware in the month of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty one the Slave of Jenifer Taylor and by him given & delivered to me the Subscriber sometime about the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten absconded from me, and is now residing in the Township of Newton in the County of Gloucester and State of New Jersey - And Whereas divers benevolent persons have contributed the Sum of one hundred and forty dollars for the purpose of affecting his Manumission Now therefore know ye That I Ignatius Taylor of the County of Kent in said State of Delaware in consideration of the Said Sum of one hundred and forty dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and of the further Sum of one hundred and Sixty dollars agreed to be paid by the said Daniel Clark otherwise called Benjamin Clark, and for which I acknowledge the receipt of his bond in Satisfaction of. Do hereby on this sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four Manumit liberate and Set free And by these Presents have manumitted, liberated and set free, the said Daniel Clark otherwise called Benjamin Clark and do hereby fully discharge and acquit the Said Daniel Clark otherwise called Benjamin from all services or demand of Services hereafter to be claimed by me or any person claiming under me And I do hereby for myself my heirs executors & administrators and assigns covenant and agree to & with the said Daniel Clark otherwise called Benjamin Clark that I have not Sold or conveyed him to any person Whatever and that I have full and perfect authority to Manumit him from Slavery - In Witness Whereof I have hereto set my hand and Seal the day and year above written - Ign. Taylor Sealed and Delivered ) in presence of ) Interlineations and erasures made before Syning Jenifer Taylor J H Sloan Be it remembered that on the Sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four personaly appeared before me the. subscriber one of the Masters of the court of Chancery of the State of New Jersey Ignatius Taylor the grantor named in the foregoing manumission I being Satisfied he is the grantor therein named and having first made known to him the contents thereof who acknowledged that he Syned Sealed and delivered the Same as his voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein named J H Sloan M.C. [Verso] Manumission of Benjn Clark Received July 1 1824 and Recorded in the Clerks Office of Gloucester County at Woodbury in Liber A of Manumissions folio 20 &c J J Foster Clk.

Jeremiah, aged 34, was manumitted by John R. Van Liew 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 (Nicholas Booraem Jr. and James Dunham) on June 19, 1824. The document stated that Jeremiah 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 June 19, 1824, by John R. Van Liew. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on June 19, 1824.

The following manumission record from Gloucester County was transcribed by the Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration. The transcript was originally published in 1940 in the book titled Transcriptions of Early County Records of New Jersey: Gloucester County Series Slave Documents. The transcript is reproduced below as it appeared in that book. The transcript has several sections that are represented with dotted lines, which are assumed to represent damaged or illegible sections of the document. GLOUCESTER COUNTY DOCUMENT NUMBER: 47 TRANSCRIPT: 1824 Gloucester County: [ .......] hereby certify that on this first day of July in [.......................... .......] Rachel Ireland of the Township of Eggharbour in said County of Gloucester Brought before us Two of the Overseers of the poor of the said Township and two of the Justices of the peace of the said County her slave named Levina Jackson who on View and Examination appears to us to be sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity of obtaining a support and also not under the age of twenty one years nor above the age of forty years IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written. Joseph Scull ) two of the overseers of the poor for the Edward Risley ) Township of Eggharbour. Jos: Risley ) two of the Justices of the peace Daniel Baker ) for Gloucester County Recd March 14 1825 J.J. Foster C1k [Verso] Manumission Rachel Ireland

After the death of Samuel Price of Sussex County, New Jersey, the inventory of his estate was taken on July 20, 1824. The inventory listed four Black people, including a woman whose name was not recorded. The unnamed woman is presumed to be Dinah, who was the mother of the two young boys listed in the inventory as Jim and Milford. A partial transcript of the inventory was published by a genealogy researcher in the record for Samuel Price in the Find a Grave database. The transcript is as follows: "1 coulourd woman $30.00 1 coulourd boy nam'd Harry $30.00 1 coulourd boy named Jem (Jim) $5.00 1 coulourd boy named Milford $1.00"

Mary Richardson, aged 28, was manumitted by Robert Karson of East Windsor, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The deed of manumission was executed on July 24, 1824, by Robert Karson in the presence of witnesses listed as Jane Carson and James Reynolds. The deed was notarized by Andrew Rowan. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 26, 1824.

Jane Stelle, aged 34, was manumitted by Jacob Parker of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseers of the Poor of Woodbridge (Jonathan Freeman and Moses Martin) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Josiah Ford and Richard Marsh) on September 6, 1824. The document stated that Jane Stelle 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 September 6, 1824, by Jacob Parker. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1824.

Richard was manumitted by James T. Dunn 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 (John Gillman and William B. Manning) on November 29, 1824. The document stated that Richard 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. Richard's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on November 30, 1824, by James T. Dunn in the presence of witnesses Eliza Dunn and Judge William B. Manning. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on December 2, 1824.

Francis, aged 27, was manumitted by Daniel Brunson 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 (James Dunham and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on January 19, 1825. The document stated that Francis 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 19, 1825, by Daniel Brunson. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on January 29, 1825.

Hannah, aged 21, was manumitted by Thomas Hill 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 (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on January 29, 1825. The document stated that Hannah 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 29, 1825, by Thomas Hill. The deed noted that Hannah had turned age 21 on December 25, 1824. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on February 17, 1825.

Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains the following record: Child: Suky Mother: Yon Enslaver of mother and child: Jacob Hornbeck Location: Sandyston, NJ Birth date: 22 Feb 1825 Recorded date: 10 Oct 1825 Clerk: Greene

Richard Wescoat purportedly signed his will on his deathbed on 9 March 1825. The will was subject to a family dispute in probate court. The location listed on the will is "Hamilton Township, Gloucester County." Richard Wescoat was a well-known resident of Mays Landing, an unincorporated community within Hamilton Township. This township is now part of Atlantic County, but was part of Gloucester County at the time of this event. Seven enslaved people are mentioned by name in the will. Luce Ship was bequeathed to Richard Wescoat's wife. Jin and Bet were to be set free, and the remaining four people, named Jill, Eliza Ann, Charles, and Josh, were to be sold. The following is a transcript of the relevant passages that mention enslaved people: "I Richard Westcoat of Hamilton Township, Gloucester County, and State of New Jersey being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this for my last Will & Testament. First. I give and bequeath to my wife Margaret Wescoat the place where I now live during her natural life. I likewise give and bequeath to my wife all the goods in the house where I now live together with a coloured woman called Luce Ship. ... Sixth. It is my will and desire that my Black Girls Jin and Bet to be set free, and that the other two Black Girls named Jill and Eliza Ann be sold by my Executors also the two Black Boys named Charles and Josh."