P
Page
Matilda Page38 mf, “FN,” $600RE, “unknown” (1850 Natchez census)
Paris
Mary Eliza Paris, Certificate of Freedom, 1827
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book P
Pgs.708-9
Mary Eliza Paris to Certificate of Freedom
United States of America
To all to whom these presents shall come greeting. The Bearer whereof Mary, Eliza, Paris, who has made her mark hereto in my presence, to wit, Mary, Eliza, Paris her mark the person named and described in the annexed affidavit under the hand of Peter Lohra of Philadelphia Notary Public having produced unto me satisfactory proof that she is a native of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania, and is a free born woman of colour. These are to pray all whom it may concern to permit the said Mary, Eliza, Paris to pass wheresoever her lawful pursuits may call her freely and without tel?? or molestation in going staying or returning and to give to all friendly aid and protection In faith and testimony whereof, I Joseph Watson Esqr. Mayor and Sheriff Magistrate of the City of Philadelphia have her to set my hand and have caused the seal of said city to be affixed the twenty seventh day of June 1825
Joseph Watson Mayor
p. 709
United States of America. Be it known that on the day of the date hereof before me peter Lohra of Philadelphia Notary Public, by lawful ? duly commissioned and sworn and by law authorized to administer oats, and affirmations personally appeared Mary Eliza Paris the wife of Nicholas Paris of Natchez in the State of Mississippi aged twenty years or thereabouts of the height of five feet one in inches light yellow complexion long black hair and black eyes and has a small mole over her left eye brow who being by me duly sworn according to law did declare and say that she is native of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and is a free born woman of colour
Mary Eliza her Paris
X
Mark
[More details not transcribed but this was recorded on the 27th of June 1825 and then recorded 5 Dec 1827 by Woodson Wren]
Parker
Rebecca Parker1 male –10; 1 male 10-24; 1 female –10; 1 female 36-55 (1840 Natchez census)
Sarah Parker1 male –10; 1 female –10; 1 female 10-24; 1 female 36-55 (1840 Natchez census)
W. Parker1 male 24-36; 1 female 36-55 (2 female slaves 10-24 and 36-55) (1840 Natchez census)
N. Parker60 bf, “FN,” “unknown.” (1850 Natchez census)
Eliza Parker35 mf, washerwoman, MS, w/Alex, 10 mm; James, 7 mm; Mary, 3 mf; Byron, 2 mm (1860 Natchez census)
In a tavern w/2 wm 40, tavernkeeper from NY, J. White and John Coming, 23 barkeeper from Ireland, Charlotte White, 30wf from Germany and their kid, Frances, 6wf and John, 1wm; Thomas Taylor, 14wmJames Parker, 20mm, “FN,” MS (1850 census)
Rebecca Lewis's emancipation, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book T
P. 323
Rebecca's emancipation
Whereas it is my intention and Desire to set free and emancipate a female slave Rebecca in consideration of her uniform good conduct and past services: Wherefore Know all men by these presents that I Adam Bingaman of the county of Adams and State of Mississippi; have ?? constituted and appointed by these presents do make constitute and appoint Jacob Broadwell of Cincinati in the State of Ohio my true and lawfull attorney for me and in name to take charge of my said slave Rebecca otherwise called Rebecca Lewis of yellow or mulatto complexion about five feet [blank] inches high formerly belonging to Wm Parker of the City of Natchez Miss, and to pursue all necessary and lawful means to affect her manumission or emancipation and to secure the same according to laws of the State of Ohio in such case made and provided and generally for me and in my name to do all every act or acts in the law needful and necessary to be ? in and about the premises so as effectually to secure the freedom of said slave as fully and amply to all intents and purposes as I myself, might or would do if personally present Hereby ratifying, and confirming and by the presents allowing all and Whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name lawfully, do or cause to be done in and about the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in Natchez this [blank] day of March A.D. 1832
A.L. Bingaman
[More details not transcribed, but Rebecca was taken to Cincinnati and recorded]
Petition of William Parker to the Mississippi State Legislature, 1817-1839
in Race, Slavery and Free Blacks: Petitions to Southern Legislatures and County Courts microfilm collection, Series I: Legislative Petitions, PAR #11000008.
William Parker, a free man of color, asks permission to remain in Mississippi. Parker states that he arrived before the enactment of the law "prohibiting the emigration of Free negroes and Mulattoes into this State." He avers that he has accumulated property and remains married to a slave in the state.
Result: referred to committee
Rebecca Parker Will, 1840
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 2
P. 270
23 September, 1840“I will and bequeath unto my two children Ellenora and Peter my horse and all my household furniture of every Kind to ensure to their benefit and use as follows; that is to say I wish that my Executors hereinafter named shall sell for the best prices that can be obtained all the property aforesaid and after paying all my just debts and funeral Expences to use apply and divide the surplus or residue of the money to-wards the clothing and supporting of my children equally. I will and desire that my two children namely James and William be well provided for as contemplated by the will of William Parker Jr. and that they be put out to some good trade under the direction of their guardian hereinafter appointed-the reason why nothing is herein devised to them being the belief that they are sufficiently provided for by the will of said Parker. And I do hereby commit the Guardianship of all my children aforesaid untill they respectively attain the age of Twenty one years unto my trusty friend Eli Montgomery with a desire that he execute the trust hereby conferred in the best possible manner for the interests of my said several children,” (Will book 2, 270).
Parker Children Mary, Martha, and William, apprenticeship papers, August 1844
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board of Minutes Records
1832-45
Maria-- August, 1844“Ordered that the Overseer of the Poor bind out Mary Parkeraged 16 years Martha Parker aged about 13 years, and William agedabout 11 years, unto Maria Parker until the said Mary and Martha shall be eighteen years of age, respectively and the said William 21 years of agethey all being free mulatto children; and that the said overseer execute indentures of apprenticeship, and require the said Maria to enter in the covenants directed by law in this behalf.”
State v. Lemle, Marks, 1855
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 26
File 85
[Not transcribing all the forms associated with this case]
The State of Mississippi Personally appeared before the
Adams County undersigned Justice of the
Peace in and for said County
Joseph S. Holmes, and made oath that one Marks Lemle, did in said County of Adams on the 24th day of January 1855. Commit an Assault & Battery upon one Richard Parker, a free person of Color, Contrary to the peace and dignity of the State of Mississippi
Sworn to and Subscribed
before me this January 25th JS Holmes
AD 1855
Rob Wood?
To any lawful officer to Execute and Return
You are hereby Commanded to arrest the above named Marks Lemle, and him bring before me furtherth [sic] to be proceeded against according to Law,
Given under my hand seal at Natchez
this January 25th 1855 Rob Wood
Summons as witnesses in the above stated case, on the part of the State, William Sanks
Given under my hand and seal at Natchez this January. 25th 1855
Rob Wood
[HNF: A free Mulatto named Richard Parker was assaulted by the defendant. Plead guilty, fined $5]
Parkins--Perkins
Lucy Ann Parkins1 female 36-55 (1840 Natchez census)
Patience
George Cochran Will, 1803
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 1
Pgs. 11, 13
Eighth. The manumission of the negro boy Gloster. I wish to take him at the age of twenty five years conferring his present at Lexton? A compliance with which I enjoin upon my executors, and it is my further wish and desire that before he arrives at the age of twenty five years aforesaid he be taught to read and write and at the time of his manumission that the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be laid out in the purchase of land for his use inalienably to descend to such of his children as may be bourne free, or that may have obtained their freedom before his death but in failure of this contingency and that none of his children should be in the enjoyment of freedom at his decease, then the same to invest in the first corporarity? In the corporation of the first Town, legally incorporated within the present county of Claiborne the annual profits to be applied to the relief of the aged and infirm amongst the free people of colour within the said County, this [illegiblebut maybe to his?] mother Patience it is my desire she be manumitted within six months? After my decease if then in the possession of my said Brother or his heirs with permission to ?? [remain?] on the family if she may so desire and in case of inability either from age or infirmity to provide for her support I enjoin upon my said brother that a reasonable provision be made therefore
Patrick
Sally Bledsoe, Colored Woman, to Corbin Patrick, 1840
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book not recorded
Pgs. 54-5
Sally Bledsoe, Colored Woman, to Corbin Patrick
To all to Whom these presents may ComeKnow Ye that I Sally Bledsoe, (a free woman of Color) of the City of Natchez in the State of Mississippi, being prompted by motives? Of humanity as well as by the industry, sobriety, and good moral deportment of my male Slave, Corbin Patrick, of about forty years of age, and of rather light complexion, has determined to emancipate, and set free the said slaveand for this purpose have nominated, constituted, and appointed Joseph H. Street my true and lawful attorney in fact; and by these presents, do nominate, constitute, and appoint him the said Joseph H. Street with full power and authority to take charge of said Male Slave Corbin Patrick, to transport or cause to be transported, to Cincinnati in the State of Ohio, or to the any other State where he can by the Law of Such State be legally emancipated, and there to make, execute, and acknowledge any Deed, Instrument of writing or other document on which by the Laws of the State, or Territory where the said Male Slave Corbin Patrick may be carried, for the purposes aforesaid, may be required. And I do hereby give full power and authority to Joseph H. Street, my said attorney in fact by the means aforesaid, or in any other manner to emancipate, set free & forever discharge and absolve from servitude and involuntary labour the said male slave Corbin Patrick. And I do further vest full power and authority in said Joseph H. Street my attorney aforesaid, to appoint another attorney with full power to carry into effect the object aforesaid. And I hereby recognize and acknowledge all acts done by my said attorney and such Substituted Attorney in and by virtue of these presents, as if I were personall present, and performing the same.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and seal at the City of Natchez, in the State of Mississippi, this ____ day of June Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty
her
Sally Bledsoe
Mark
[There is more…records of the act being recorded in Cincinatti the following year (1841), etc.]
Patterson
Rachel Patterson1 fpc (Census of 1816, Adams County)
Free Papers of Lewis Patterson, 1807
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book D
P. 309
Recorded the 27th March 1807
Benjamin Leaman Clerk A.C.C.C.
These are to certify to whom it may concern that the barer? Lewis Patterson a native of Africa at the Massa lion?? Of slaves at the colony of Cayanne by decree of the National Convention did by and with the consent of his former master Mr. Duporie and the government agent of the coliney leave Cayanne with me as a free man and that No person whatever has a rite to hold him a slave
Robert Palmer
The above is a Black with a remarkable strake of gray hiar [sp] ?? Black on top of his head, _____, ______, ______,
He left Cayanne with me in the year 1796 in the month in the month [sic] of October and has ever since Repossed [reposed?] with in my knowledge
R. Palmer
New York 26th May [date obscured]
Received and Recorded the 8th day of April 1807 Benjamin Leaman
Payne
William St. John Elliot’s will, 1855
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 2
P. 15
I also give & bequeath to my beloved wife all the negroes I die possessed of except Willis Douglass & family, including his step son Charles Paynewho I desire shall have all the privileges of freed peopleand be under the special protection of Mrs. Elliot or some one of my blood relativesWillis having the choice of selectionand sincerely hope no one of my kinspeoplewill consider it an unreasonable request to give protection & care to a faithful old servant of mineIt is also further my wish in the settlement of my Estate provision should be made by some suitable investmentso as to insure Willis Douglas three hundred dollars per annumduring his lifetimeThe principle to revert at his death to the Catholick female Orphan Asylum of Natchez
[Not all transcribed, just details concerning African Americans]
Pendergrass
William Pendergrass, free papers, 1808
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book E
p. 174
State of N Carolina The bearer hereof William Pendergrass (a free man of Coular) was raised
Person County by honest Parents, and has supported the character of an honest,
Industrious, peacible Sitizen [sic], and one who behaves himself as a man of Coular Ought, and being Desierous to remove himself to some parts of the western County we therefore recommend him to the good sitizens of the Country? For protection, November 10th, 1805
Jno. W. McGehee, J.P.
State of Tennessee Jno. Holloway, J.P.
Davidson County The above is duly recorded among the Records of said County this 2?9th of December 1807
Andrew Ewing
Perkins
“Yesterday Ann Perkins that was Commited to Jail some 3 days ago was tried under Habeas CopusShe prooved that She was of Indian Decent and Came of[f] ClearMr T. Armatt was her CouncilSaunders & Thatcher V.S. HerShe was put in by a ___ ____ by the name of Sandy ParsonsHis witness [was] Peter Lardence” (20 Aug, 1841, Johnson Diary).
Perry (alias John)--
Perry (alias John, black) v. Johnson, James et al, 1810
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 43
File 14
To the Honorable the Judges of the Superior Court of Law and Equity for the Mississippi Territory in and for the County of Adams---
The Petition of Perry ^ otherwise called John a Mulatto Man now being in the County of Adams in the Mississippi Territory in the possession of James Johnston of said County and claimed by him as a slave for life humbly sheweth
That he this petitioner was born a slave & the property of one Martha Griffith of New Castle County in the State of Maryland about the Month of September in the Year Seventeen hundred & eighty two That he was transferred by Gift to one Benjamin Griffith about the autumn of the year 1788 That in the year 1796 he this Petitioner was sold by the said Benjamin Griffith to one John Carnaan of Cecil County in the State of Maryland for the sum of one hundred Dollars to serve him until he this petitioner should arrive at the age of twenty five Years at which time he was to be freeAnd this Petitioner further shews that it was expressly agreed by and between the said Benjamin Griffith & the said John Carnaan that he this petitioner should be free on his arrival of the said age of twenty five years and that he hath long arrived at that ageThat he this petitioner was
soon after he came to the possession of the said John Carnaan was sent to the State of Georgia his name changed to John by which name is now commonly called and that since that time he hath been transferred to a number of persons until he at length came to the possession of the said James Johnston who now claims him as a slave for lifeThis petitioner further shews that the said James Johnston is now about to remove from this Territory & to carry this petitioner with him whereby this Petitioner fears he may be permanently deprived of his freedom--- Your petitioner therefore prays that the said James Johnston & all & every other person & persons claiming any title to him as a slave whenever such persons may be discovered/ may be summoned to appear before this honorable court to answer the premises and that the said James Johnston and all such other persons when discovered may be compelled by decree of this Honorable Court to set your petitioner at liberty & release him from all claim to his services as a slave or otherwise to control him without his assentAnd that in the meantime the said James Johnston shall enter into Bond with approved security in such sum as this Honorable Court shall direct (in conformity with the act in that can be made & provided)/conditioned that the said James Johnston shall have this petitioner forthcoming & subject to the order which this court shall make respecting him and that he abide the Judgment which shall be
rendered by the court in the premises and this petitioner will ever pray
L. Harding counsel for Petitioner
Ordered by the Court on examination of the petition of a Mulatto man named Perry/otherwise called John/claiming his freedom that summons issue against James Johnston to appear at the next court and answer the said petition and that he enter into Bond with approved security in the penal sum of five hundred dollars conditioned according to the provision of the statute in that case made & provided
And the said Deft by Charles B. Green his atty comes and defends the ?? and injury ? &c. and saith that the said Petitioner is not free in manner and form as he sets forth in his said Petition, but is a slave for life, and this he prays may be ?? of by the Country &c.
Ch. B. Green
Atty for Defs.
And the sd. Pltff doth the like & c J. Thompson for Pltff
[A few more documents, untranscribed, and it extends into Aug. 1811 but the outcome is unclear]
Perry
Abner Mardis to Perry, emancipation, 1816
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book I
P. 197
Abner Mardis
To Received to be recorded 13th December 1816
Perry
Know all men by these presents that I Abner Mandis at present of the parish of Concordia State of Louisiana by virtue of the proceedings had and done before the parish court of said parish aforesaid do in consideration thereof manumit & set free and release from slavery a certain mail [sic] slave named Perry Thirty years of age hereby impowering the said Perry to act for himself in all cases in as full free and ample manner as if he had been born free and the said Abner Mandis do hereby covenant and oblige himself to nourish and maintain said emancipated slave when said slave shall be in want oweing to old age sickness insanity or any proven infirmity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of April 1816 Abner Mandis
[more details not transcribed, but finalized by judge Jno Perkins on the 5th April 1816]
Perry, Martha
Martha Perry3 fpc (Census of 1816, Adams County)
Martha Perry4 fpc (Census of 1818, Adams County)
Peter
Peter, a free black man v. Peter Lamothe, 1823
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book N
P. 163
Peter, a free black man v. Peter Lamothe
Parish Court
For the Parish
The City of
New Orleans March
?th 1819. Present the Honble James Pitot.
This cause came on for trial before the court the jury being waived by the defendants ?, and the Court being satisfied from the documents and evidence exhibited, and now on file in cause that the plaintiff is entitled to his freedom. It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that he be forthwith set at liberty and discharged from the custody and controul of the defendant, and forthwith to go at large and enjoy all the rights and privileges appertaining to free men of colour under the laws of the State of Louisiana.
I do hereby certify the above. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at the City of New Orleans the day month and year first aforesaid
Thos L. Kennedy Clk
[Judge Pitot signed…a few more details not transcribed and then recorded at Natchez on 28th May 1823 by Robert Piggot in for Woodson Wren]
Phebe
Phebe, Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 20
Special March Term 1832
Ordered by the Court that the application of the following named free negroes and mulattoes stand continued till next Term [2 words, illegiblesomeone’s name?] Eliza Bosack, Livinia, John Stewart, Phebe, Charles Matson, Polly Dorsey, Rachel Jackson and Moses Turner.
Phebe, Police Board Records, September 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 27
September Term 1832
Wednesday morning, September 5th 1832
Phebe, a free woman of colour, about forty years old, about five feet three inches high of dark complexion, satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment. It is therefore ordered by the court that the said Phebe be licensed to remain in this state agreeably to the act of Assembly entitled an act to amend an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December 1831.
Philips
Henry Phillips, Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 19
Special March Term 1832
Henry Phillips a free negro man about six feet four or five inches high 27 years old of dark complexion satisfied the court of his good character and honest deportment.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Henry Phillips be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
Phillis
Phillis's free papers, 1831?
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book T
Pgs. 338-9
The Freedom of Phillis
State of Louisiana Be it remembered that on twenty second day of March in the year of our
Parish of Concordia Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen Peter Surget in his proper person before John Perkins judge of the Parish aforesaid made the following declaration in the following words and figures to wit.
To the Honorable John Perkins Judge of the Parish of Concordia
Peter Surget of the said Parish satisfactorily sheweth that he is willing and desirous to emancipate a certain negro woman leave the property of your petitioner. That the said slave is named Phillis and is of the age of thirty years that she has not committed any crime or misdemeanor within the last four years previous the date hereof nor in general does he know of any offence or offences committed by said female slave your petitioner therefore prays that your Honor will issue the proper order and notice in the premises and decree the deed of emancipation in favor of the said female slave Phillis and which your Petitioner is ready to execute and pass as the law directs March 22 1814
Peter Surget
And afterwards to wit on the twenty eight day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eighteen hundred and fourteen the following order issued in the following order [sic] in the following words & figures to wit Let the prayer of the foregoing petition be granted and an order issued to that effect March 28th 1814
Jno Perkins Judge
Of the Parish of Con
To the Sheriff of the Parish of Concordia Greeting
You are hereby directed to cause notice to be posted up in said Parish both in the French and English languages that Peter Surge of said Parish having intention to emancipate his female slave named Philliss and thirty years of age: every person who may have any legal objection to said emancipation are required to file said opposition in the office of Parish Court of said Parish within forty days from the date of said notice
Concordia March 28, 1814
[Not all transcribed]
Piper
Nelly Piper50 bf, “FN,” MD w/ Peter Hawkins, 55bm, Tenn (1850 Natchez census)
Pollidore
Manumission of Pollidore by Daniel and Jane Clark, 1799
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book B
P. 1
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.
Polly
Manumission of Polly by James Ward, 1800
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book B
P. 10
Notes that Ward was from Mason County, Kentucky and that Polly was to be freed in 1820
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.
Thomas Freeman's Will, 1820
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 1
Pgs. 237-9
First I give and bequeath unto my favourite and trusty servant Simon one thousand Dollars and his freedom for life. I also give and bequeath unto my servant Maid Polly five hundred dollars and her freedom for life.
p. 238
I also give and bequeath unto my former old trusty Servant Frank or Frances Woodland the sum of five hundred Dollars he is a free man of colour
[Not all transcribed, but these are the relevant points regarding free blacks]
Pomet
Leonard Pomet7 fpc (17 slaves) (Census of 1816, Adams County)
Joseph Pomet Junior1 fpc (Census of 1818, Adams County)
Marsha Pomet1 fpc (Census of 1818, Adams County)
Leonard Pomet4 fpc (9 slaves) (Census of 1818, Adams County)
State v. Pomet, Joseph, 1818
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 40
File 23
State of Mississippi To the Sheriff or any constable of said county
Adams County
Personally appeared before me William Lemon a Justice of the Peace for said county Emmy Trassania, a free woman of colour and made oath in due form in land that on the evening of the 23rd ? in Washington in the county aforesaid, Joseph Pomet did with force and arms violently assault beat and abuse her the said Emmy
These are therefore to command in the name of the State to take the body of him the said Joseph Pomet and bring him before me at my office in Washington or some other justice of the peace so that he may be dealt with as the law directs given under my hand and seal at Washington
This 4th day of July 1818 William Lemon
William H. Smith
Summon David Harper Witnesses Wm Lemon
Baron Harper
July 6 The deft. Joseph Pomet appeared and acknowledged the above charge.
More on how in August he was going to be called before the Superior Court (not all transcribed)
State v. Pomet, Joseph, 1819
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 1
File 30
State of Mississippi Special term of Superior
Adams County Court Dec term 1819
The Grand Jurors of the State of Mississippi in and for the County aforesaid upon their oaths present that Joseph Pomet late of the County aforesaid on the eleventh day of December in the Year of our Lord eighteen hundred and nineteen with force and arms at the County aforesaid in and upon one Francois Piquemale [illegiblebroke?] the peace of God and of the State aforesaid then and there being an assault did make and him the said Francis Piqumale then ^ & there beat wound and illtreat and other wrongs to the said Francis Piquemale then and there did to the great damage of the said Francis Piquemale and against the Peace & dignity of the State aforesaid
Ly. Henry Atto Conl
Leonard Pomet to Delphine Pomet, 1831
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book T
P. 33
Leonard Pomet to Delphine Pomet, Deed
Be it known that this day before me Carlile Pollock, a notary public in and for the city of New Orleans, duly commissioned personally came Delphine Pomet, wife of Antoine Gireaudeau by him duly authorized hereunto as appears by letters of attorney. Deposited in my current register on the 20th day of august last past: who produced and exhibited unto me notary, an original document purporting to be a donation, made unto her under private signature, by Leonard Pomet, her father, of a young female slave named Margaret which document I have at her request recorded, in this my current register and the same is in the words following: viz:
“Je declares, avois dound, a ma fille, Delphine: pour ses etennes, una petite fille, nomme Margarite: fille demou esclave Ester. Pomquille en jouisse, ennure? A elle appurtente avec la seiele? Condition que Delphine: uessorea jainairo verrore la dite esclave Marguintte: san consenetement. Janvier 1 1817
Signed Leod Pomet
[Not transcribing all, but it was recorded in N.O. 1/31/1828 and in Natchez on 7/29/1831]
Powell
Henry Marshall40bm, “Free Black,” PA, w/Cloe, ?bf, VA; Thomas Powell, ?bm (1850 Natchez census)
Price
[Excerpts from Margaret Fisher Dalrymple, ed. The Merchant of Manchac: The Letterbooks of John Fitzpatrick, 1768-1790. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1978].
p. 162 “To Thomas James, Grand Gulf
Manchac, October 20, 1773
Your much Esteemed favour per Nelley I receivd. And have Sent the things by her agreeable to the Invoice inclosed[.] I am very sorry that I could not send you it Being scarce on the river and none to be had in Town & what I have sent is out of some that was apart for the Family use & Charged you no more than the first Cost at Orleans, I Wish it had been in my power to have sent you the Striped Duffills But them I have sent I am in hopes they will Answer Your porpose Quite as well and if not, I will take them again when I Shall have the plasure of Seeing you up the River; in about two Months; what things you may Want I Begg You may let me know of; as I shall bring them up with me[.] Having Nothing new to Acquaint off I am….[some text not transcribed] “ Note that Thomas James is an English trader residing at Grand Gulf
p. 180 “To Isaac Johnson, Natchez [in notes, she states that he was a Natchez trader, planter, and justice of the peace]
Manchac, December 27, 1774
Your much Esteemd favour of 20th Instant is Now befour me; the Contents of which have duly observed
As to what you Say; Consar[n]ing Ellinor Prices not having Been able to as yeat to Discharge the Small Cradite I gave her with you; Viz: for I quarter Cask of Taffia Twenty five pounds of Gun powder & fifity wight of Lead or Balls; is Sumthing Surprizing to me; the Sow as I wrote to her Sume time ago to know if She had paid it; her answer (or at Least Mr. James by her Request) was that She had Setteld that herself with you and that I had no Reason to be uneasy on that head; and that it was no longer an effer of mineNow Seeing that She has not Complyed; nether with or Promise or the Letter (although it is a Long time Since she had the goods) must Request that you give her nothing further as I will not bee accountable for any thing She has had; the quarter Cask of Teaffia the Gun powder & Balls; as above menchend; Excepted at the Same time Should be forever obliged to you if you will Indevor to Recover, there amount from hir as you are at hand; for if she Ovliges me to add that to her former Pracenes of Mr. James $880.6r & Since that have Paid an order She Drew on me for $12 So that the Balance at Present is $892:6r, without Interst; I promise you She may Expact no further Linilly[?] from me
I Should be glad if you would only for one moment Take it under your Consdidration; think of the amount she all[r]audy owes me; In whos hands it is in; and the Prajudse it is for me to be So Long Capt out of So Large a Sume; the Small Praspact there is of Geting it out of her hands; when you have Considered all this Sarcamstances; am will assured; ware you in my Place; you would go no further; and Parhaps not So farr as I have dun; for all this had She Been; Possessed of the Least Since of Gratitude towards me Since I Left the Goulph, ether By writing or Remitting me; Sum part of my Just Demand I should have Been the furst to have halped her againBut in Steed of thinking anything about me; or the Large amount She is indue me per her Bond;she has Retaliated with Ingratitude for all my pasted Indulgences; there for must Be verry plain with you; Since you have acted; with so much freandship to wards me, In tilling you that I am of Oppinen the Longer She is Let alone the more they (that have Been so unhappy) as to advance her any thing; will Louse by her at Last; though at the Same time if Mr. Johnson, Relley is of Oppine; By Letting her a Lone till next Spring she will be then able to pay
p. 181
off her Dabts; Be assured that I Shall due nothing that Shall be any ways Determentil to his Interest; But at the Same time Cant halp thinking that all her Promises will prouve a [illegible]; at Last; I once more Repeatte my former Request; that you Let her have nothing with out it is on her own acct. as I will not be answerable for any thing But as Before menchened; It only Remains to acquaint you with the news we have hear at Prasant; By the Last advice from North America…”
p. 347
“To Captain William McIntosh,
Natchez
Manchac, June 11, 1780
I did myself the Pleasure of writeing to you some days ago by Mr. Bacon, which hope you have received ere this, your Esteemed favour of the 31st Ultimo came to Hand and is now before me the Contents of which as well as the inclosed have duly observed[.] be assured that the one that was Inclosed gave me great surprise at the first Sight as Comeing from such an infernal Yellow Bitch in which she does not flatter me nor endeavor to Appalliate Matters but tells me in Plain terms that I have Publickly robbed her house to a large amount. The Accusation I positively deny as false
p. 348
& injurous to an Honest Mans Character she talks of living witnesses that Can prove the fact and this she must, as I am determined to leave no Stone Unturned (either by the English Law if yet allowed off.) or them of Spain to see myself wrighted[.] I have Inclosed to you a Proper State of all her Transactions with me from the first Commencement till this date by which you will see how I have been used by that Strumpet[.] She produces receipts & accounts to you which she says has not been indorsed on her Bond Should any such appear and that you do not find them Creditted in her Acct. Currt. then they are Valuable and maybe reduced from the Balance Still due and upon no other terms, as I opserved by your Letter that Several of your Gentlemen acknowledges their Debts but will not pay them without you are properly authorized I have sent you my proper power of Attorney with a Letter to Monsr. De La Ville baveur in which I have fully Explained the Accusation laid against me which after haveing perused You ll Please to seal & deliver himand from his Wonted Manner in rendering Justice to all them that has recourse to his tribunal I am well assured he will do the needful for me in that Delicate point where my Character is Attacked in so gross a manner and which could be never laid at my door by any Man Since in the Province. I have returned you her last letter which request you will properly Explain to Monsr. La Ville Boeueur, which is a Convincing proof of her Accusation.
She mentions one Mr. Thos. Fry and his wife as her living witnesses of my haveing Committed the Fact[.] I am wiling to admit of them as I look upon them both to be Verry Honest People, and does not Immagine that ever[?it’s probably either (mine)] one of them would be able to Counterfeit a Jounden or a Fisher (as the saying goes with us) but at the same time, there ought to be added the other Living witnesses that was at the Grand Gulf at the time of my residence there Vizt. Mr. Thomas James & his Wife, Robert Scarce and Jenny Finney with many others. I am well assured that Mr. Thomas James & his Wife can Avouch that on my Arrival at their Landing on the 4th of February 74 in Company with Mr. Alexander MIntosh that she had not neither [a] Peice of Strouds nor 20 Gallons of rum in her House [as she had] not been able to impose upon any body besides me, to get any of that Article which was then Verry scarce in the Country Since the rum she had per me per 5th Bill the 26 of October 73 & then only 120 Galls, it Verry true that Mr. Ladley was at the Natchez Landing at our arriving there & had some rum for sale which McIntosh & self Purchased in behalf of the Company the last that he had, and a Part of which Mr. Thos. James Purchased as there was no rum at the Gulph but What we had and the Same day of my Arrival at Mr. Jame’s She made acquainted partly with her Situationand told me she had given out the greater Part of my goods that I advanced her upon Credit to the Sauvages & without I could assist her once more she would not be able to withdraw her debts[.] I took Compassion on her and Expecting as I was to be there myself that she would really do something to Extricate herself from the large debt then indue me[.] I let her have a piece of Strouds and a Gun of the Companies Goods & Charged them to my Private Acct. as Mr. McIntosh would not advance her to the Value of a Dollar[.] I further after advanced 7 ¾ yds of Strouds as you will see by the Account Currt. to endeavour to still help her [illegible] was proved abortive as all my former endeavours had done[.] I do not offer to Deny but some time after Mr. McIntoshes Departure to Come down with our Skins, as I then resided at Mr. Barbours Place where she Did I asked her one day in these words Now Nelly as I am here and have not much to do let me have a sight of your books that I may have the Satisfaction to know into whose hands my goods had been given (as she had nothing in the Store as I could see of the large advanced I had made her) and told her I would assist her in Setling her Accounts for you must know at this time I now Mention I had not received out of the amount of Bond Drew in October 73 for Balance due me at that time but 249 Ps. 2 rs. this give me great uneasiness Seeing no appearance of further Payment and her Extravagance Daily augmenting. She told me to be under no Concern for that She was in Daily Expectation of a large Party of Savages Comeing in with a quantity of Skins and which I should have to the last on their arrival with this I put up and waited many days always in Expectation of receiving the said Skins but finding no Skins Comeing in nor any likelihoods thereof and the Time of my departure Drawing near I told her in Plain terms that I must see her books when she found that She Could not deceive me any longer She produced me the books but what was my Surprise after a due Examination to find there was hardly Any thing therein and the little that there was in Such Hands that I am well assured to this day She has never received the one third[.] this put me in such a Violent Passion to see myself so Humbugged by such a Strumpet that I Could not help asking her in a verry abrupt manner what have you done with my property[.] She answer’d me in that Ville language which she is much Mistress off Damn your Blood I have fucked them away[.] This I Could not bear & therefore Struck her which I am well assured were you or any other man in my Place you would not have put up with it and have done as I did, She Endeavoured to make her Escape but I followed her in a room Where I gave her a Couple of Clouts She then made her
p. 350
Escape into the Field where I did not follow her[.] it is true I took the Key of her room but returned it instantaniously to Mr. Robert Scarce but never touched to the Valuation of a Sol. I have Wrote to Scarce who is now at New Orleans for a Certificate relative to the said affair and which I am well assured Shall be able to remit you by the Next Conveyance and which I’m in hopes you’ll make proper use of for I should be obliged to sell to the last of my Negroes I am Determin’d to have Justice.
I have the following Objections against her Account Exclusive of what she mentions about rum or Strouds in the first place she Charges me 30 Dollars for a Balleasey built boat this is the same she had Credit on 7th April 74 as per Agreement 16 Ps. Nor will I allow her more for the Particulars about Said Mr. Alexander McIntosh can inform you as it was he took her down with our Skins. 2ndly. She Charges me 17 Dollrs. For House rent which I will not pay her but if I am to pay it Shall Settle it with pleasure with the Proprietor of the Plantation & the Houses thereon, whom is Mr. Phillip Barbour, 3dly You’ll please to observe that I have Credited her Account with 43 Ps. 4 rs being Mens Wages Provisions a Tarpolian oars And me & my Mans Maintenance while at the House (tho’ by the by I had a Plenty of Provisions for my self which She Cooked and that was all. 4thly Youll Please to observe that in a former Account Sent her I had Creditted her with 60 Dollars for a small Barge she Sold me as her property but in reality was not for Mr. Barbour after his return from the Nchz. Acquainted me in the presence of Mr. James that the Barge was his & had only Left it with her to take Care of till his return, and in consequence of which would insist on being paid and which affair I setled with him to his Satisfaction. Therefore if she Cannot produce or make it appear that she had a right to Dispose of said Barge by Certifycate or Letter or some paper from under his hands She must not Expect that I will allow it, but Should she be able to produce either of the above mentioned Vouchers in that Case I am Willing to allow it in account as either of them will enable me to recover the amount from Mr. Barbour. 5thly You will find in her acct. Current that I have Charged her with Ps. 39.4 that being the Amount of Roger Rosses Note which she gave to me as a payment at the time that the said Ross gave his Note to me for her Acct. he said then that he was not indue her that Sum & had her receipts in full of all Demands but not then with him, & before he would Concent to Sign Said Note he requested of me in her behalf a Certificate that if he produced the said receipts the Note Should be Null’d, Which he has fully as you’ll see by my Letter to Mr. McPherson & his Answer here inclosed[.] I am Sorry to have been so verry Tedious in troubleing
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You with so long a letter on a So Disagreeable a Subject, but Since you are so obliging as to offer me your Service & my Being Distant from your District, has obliged me to give you an Idea of the Whole Process Without which if there is any thing to be recovered from Nelly you [illegible] might not have been able to have done it, What you have have [sic] done with Mr. Alston is verry well; but be assured that the money would have been much better, being greatly necessiated therefore request if you are able to recover any part for me of the amt. in yr. Hand you will please to Convey it to me by first Safe Opportunity. I have nothing further to add only to request my Compliment to Mrs. McIntosh & the Family…
To William Ferguson, Natchez
Manchac, June 11, 1780
Your Esteem’d favour of the 31st Ulto. I have duly received and note the Contents[.] my having wrote to you by Captn. McIntosh to deliver up the Papers then in your Hands was entirely owing to my being informed you were soon to depart for Pensacola & as there was nobody in your district with whom I had the least acquaintance I thought if more advissable better [sic] as he was to remain on the Spot and might get in some part from time to time that they should be in his hands sooner than you should remit them to me here and I really hope that he will do the needful As far as lays in his power.
I have now one favour to request that is if your own business will Permit of it, that you will assist Captn. McIntosh in the Affairs as far as you Can, either in Examineing the Account of Nelly Price as well as looking over my long letter to him on that Disagreeable Subject, which trouble I will willingly Pay any thing you may Demand in reason.
According to your desire Mr. Blommart spoke to me about the Balance Still due me[.] I told him it was verry well and offerd to produce the Accounts but he told Me that he had not the money, on that head I put up the said Account again and told him that as I was not acquainted with suivelling that Mr. Ferguson was as good to me for that sum as Mr. Blommart on which we Parted, but always good friends[.] I have nothing further to add only to to [sic] assure you that if in Case there is any thing this way in which I can serve you you will freely Command…
Mrs. Fitzpatrick presents her Compliments to you
352
[The following is the editor’s translation from the original French]:
To MONSIEUR BLONDAIN
Manchac, June 12, 1780
It is more than a year since I entrusted you with my goods, and your obligation ought to have been paid some months ago. I assure you that I have always believed that you would have had some regard [for me], as you cannot be unaware of all the losses I have had since I had the honor of seeing you. I was hoping until the present to receive either the remittance which is due to me or a letter from you. That is why I have not written you sooner. So as soon as the present is delivered to you, please have the goodness to send me the balance of your obligation by the first good opportunity that comes down from your place, and you will infinitely oblige…
[The following is the editor’s translation from the original French]:
To JUAN DE LA VILLEBEUVRE,
Natchez
Manchac, June 12, 1780
After a long silence on my part, caused by my having nothing worth the bother of writing you about, I am now obliged to have recourse to your justice against a free mulattress of your district named Nelly Price. Having no doubt that you will give me the justice that I deserve, it suffices to tell you that this mulattress has owed me a very considerable sum for six years, according to her account current and obligation now in the hands of Captain William McIntosh, without which I cannot arrange to be paid in entirety or in part. Not content with seeking the most fraudulent means of depriving me of my money, she is trying to destroy my reputation with the public by means of the most vile manner ever practiced in the world, and which I believe is the most distressing to an honest man. She writes that when I was at Grand Gulf in 1774, in order to collect the payment that she owed me, I took by force a piece of Limbourg and 100 gallons of rum from her house. At the time that she claims to have lost these goods, it is easy to prove to you, by Mr. Thomas James and his wife who were then resident in the same place, that this evil woman had not a single piece of Limbourg nor twenty gallons of rum in her house until I advanced her a piece of Limbourg to help her credit in the hope of collecting some part of the great sum that was owed me. The particulars of this matter as well as her letter accusing
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Me are in the hands of Mr. McIntosh, who will explain to you the article that I have not mentioned here, as the explanation would make my letter too long. This is why, Sir, I have recourse to your tribunal, so that this mulatress may be arrested, first for the debt that she owes me, second so that she will be obliged to prove the accusations that she has advanced, in consequence of which I am ready to place in the hands of whomever you judge proper the sum of one or two thousand pesos until the time that this matter is decided and my innocence is proved. But, on the other hand, if she cannot prove her accusations, as I am well assured she cannot find any people evil enough to wish to support them, I hope she will be punished according to the law. I have nothing else to tell you, except that my wife and I present you our very humble respects, and I beg you to oblige me by presenting our very humble respects to Monsieur and Madame De Lacosta..
369
To CAPTAIN WILLIAM McINTOSH,
Natchez
Manchac, November 22, 1780
I did myself the pleasure of writeing you the 22nd Ulto. Which Youll now Receive, & to which Refer you intending it should have gone by Mr. George Rapalji, But he had set off ere my letter got to Baton [Rouge] Since which your Esteemed favour of the 283th of last month Came to hand the Contents of which have observed. I Return you my most hearty thanks for your attention to my small affairs in your hands. Be assured any thing that you can recover for me will be a great assistance to me at Present having Moneys to pay or shall be obliged to sell my Negroes, if not able to Recover some of my outstanding debts to inable me to Discharge them, or should not be so troublesome. What you have been pleased to do for me in the Recovering way give me great Satisfaction and had I been there myself dont think I could have done so much, as for Nelly [Price] she is a verry bad Woman, & if I cannot get my Money I am determined to get proper Satisfaction when in my power to put the Law in force against her Infamous Slander. I am Glad Mr. Johnson has paid for they say he is Generally Long winded. Mr. Vousdin has merited being put to some Expence, as it is his own Seeking. Mr. James is good for Hogscases [?]. when King pays you, give the money to Mr. Rapalji, as mentioned in my former, with any Notes to the amount of my order, take his receipt as Before mention’d. I shall be really glad to see Mr. Watkins this way, But am more so to receive the money so long due, I am in hopes you’ll bring Mr. Alston to his proper Bareings, as I am of an Opinion he never [?] intended to pay any man, which he Can avoid. What ever you shall think proper to do with Madam Jean for the Receipt [?] of the Money will be agreeable if you have Any Commands this way [illegible] them[.] we have nothing new with us excepting Account of the Governor Galvez’s having Left the havanna the 16 Ultimo with 7 ships of the Line 4 Frigates & 4500 Land fources in an Expedition against Pensacola. But as yet no further accounts whether arrived or not, having Nothing further to add only to request my best respects to Mrs. McIntosh…
Adams County Chancery Court
Spanish Records
Book G
P. 11
“Ellinor Price vs. Jn. Farquhar. To Charles de Grand Pre, Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Armies and Civil and Military Commandant of the Post and District of Port Coupee, and by special commission of the post and district of Natchez. Ye. Yea. The Petition of Ellinor Pice. Your petitioner begs leave to inform your honor that she has an account against a certain John Farquhar, of this District, amounting to the sum of dollars and six rials; and your petitioner being poor and in great need of the money, prays that your honor will be pleased to compel the said Farquhar to make payment, and as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray yea. Signed Ellinor Price..
Natchez Sept. 19th 1781. Francis Farrell interpreter
Mr. John Farquhar will pay the five dollars and six rials to Ellinor Price, or he will be compelled by law==Grand Pre= Natchez 24th Sept.1781. The parties being heard, we do hereby condemn the debtor to pay the sum of five dollars and six rials to Ellinor Price; and the latter to restore to the former the four small jars belonging to him.
Spanish records (McBee) The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805
Abstracts of Early RecordsThe May Wilson McBee Collection, Volume 2
(Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1953)
“Eleanor Price versus James Barfield, who is indebted to her for $38, being for provisions furnished to him when he was prisoner. Natchez 30, 1782. Let notice be given to pay. [Itemized account. One item: For dinner to yourself and wife…For provisions furnished you while in the fort, Oct. 26 to this date, 48 days.] //Mr. And Mrs. Baker both saw Hansborough take James Barfield his gun to pay his and his wife’s board for the time that he was in the garrison.// The parties and witnesses being heard, I do hereby condemn Mrs. Barfield to pay to the free mulatto woman, Eleanor Price $38 for provisions furnished to Barfield during his detention in the prison of this fort…” (McBee, 294-5).
Adams County Chancery Court
Spanish Records
Book G
P. 11
74
Eleanor Price vs. Thomas Green. “To His Excellency, the Civil and Military Commandant of the Post and District of Natchez. Eleanor Price humbly represents to your honor that she is a creditor of a certain Thomas Green in the sum of twenty six dollars, being for rent of the house occupied by him, having made frequent demands of payment from the said Green has received nothing but vague promises; wherefore your petitioner prays that you will be pleased to compel the said Green to make payment of the sum aforesaid with costs of suit; and s I duty bound your petitioner will ever pray. Natchez 26th February 1783=signed Eleanor Price. Natchez the 27th February 1783To be communicated to Thomas Green ….
To rent of my house at the landing three months $24
To seven bushels of corn at 3 dollars per bushel 21.
January 16th 1783=Mr. Thomas Green to Nelly Price $45
To storage for corn and peas $25
To one hone (This whole affair is incomprehensible. Translator)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Balance due Nelly Price $26.
This is more to add to John Stowers’ case who owed Eleanor $14 (sundries, plow, attending wench in labor)
Adams County Chancery Court
Spanish Records
Book G
P. 74
“…Eleanor Price humbly represents to your honor that certain John Stowers is indebted to her in the sum of fourteen dollars and four rials, by account, and having frequently demanded payment from the said Stowers hs received nothing but vague promises; wherefore your petitioner prays that you will be pleased to condemn the said John Stowers to make payment of the foresaid sum, with costs of suit; and as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray.
Spanish records (McBee) The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805
Abstracts of Early RecordsThe May Wilson McBee Collection, Volume 2
(Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1953)
“Book G, p. 75. Eleanor Price versus Thomas Green, who owes her $26, being for rent of the house occupied by him; asks that he be compelled to pay sum with costs of suit, 26 Feb. 1783.” (McBee, 303).
Eleanor Price letter regarding Miguel Lopez house, English translation, 1784
Adams County Chancery Court
Book 1 Transcript Original Spanish Records, 1777-1802
Pgs. 532-3
To His Excellency, the Civil and Military Commandst of the Post and District of Natchez.
Elinor Price, mulatto, has the honor to respectfully inform you that in the absence of Dr. Farrell, a certain Richard King entered as he said by a hole in the house of Michael Lopez, to take a saddle belonging to him and that at the arrival of the Doctor, the door was opened, and a little window, in the room of that same windowwes a coverlet considerably large which had cost twenty dollars and a pair of sheets worth six dollars, also were stolen. And as Mr. Richard King without permission of any one has entered the house and your Petitioner has lost her goods, who came only when the Doctor was absent, and as the said King confessed to have entered the said house, she is of the opinion, in submission to your Honor, that he is responsible to your Petitioner for the theft committed. Therefore she prays your Honor to order the said King to satisfy her, a favor which she hopes to receive from your kindness and justice; and as in duty bound will ever pray.
Signed
Elenor Price Mulatto
Natchez 26 of April, 1784
Notify Richard King to present himself before me tomorrow with the Petitioner.
Natchez 26th of April, 1784
I then notified the Defendant as directed.
Boswell Myggett
Fees: $1.0
The Petition of Elinor Price
Against Richard King for $26-0
Concluded
The King vs. Miguel Lopez, 1786
Adams County Chancery Court
Spanish Court Records
Book F
Pgs. 96-106
The King vs. Miguel Lopez
In Fort Panmure at Natchez, on this sixth of the month of March in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty six, before me Don Charles de Grand Pre, Lieutenant Colonel and Civil and Military Commandant of the said Fort and District, appeared Samuel Smith, of the same; who declared that he was lately in the service of Miguel Lopez, Planter, settled at the Grand Gulf, with whom he went to the Choctaw Nation, from whence he is now returned; being dissatisfied with the wages and treatment he received from said Miguel Lopez; Whereupon it being necessary to take his declaration in form, I have appointed Juan Carreras to act as Notary, who accepted thereof and promised faithfully to discharge the duty thereof, and has signed.=Carlos de Grand Pre. Juan Carreras.
P.97
On the same day, month, and year, before written it being necessary to appoint an interpreter, the deponent about to make his declaration an Englishman, I have appointed Don Estevan Minor Lieutenant of Infantry and Adjutant of this fort; its that office, who has accepted thereof and promised in his honor faithfully to discharge the duty thereof, and has signed with the Notary.
Estavan Minor.=Carlos de Grand Pre.=Juan Carreras.=
Whereupon I caused the said Samuel Smith to be duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist according to the rights of his religion, to answer truly to such questions as should be put to him; which he swore faithfully to do. Question: What is your age? Answer: twenty years. Ques. Which religion do you profess? Ans. The Protestant religion. Ques. In what country were you born? Ans. In Ireland. Ques. What employment do you follow? Answer. That of a laborer, by the month or day. Ques. How long have you been in this District? Answer. It is about four months since I came with M. Chacheret from Cumberland. Ques. Have you taken the oath of fidelity? Ans. No. Ques. Why did you not present yourself, so soon as you came into the District, to take the Oath required, when it is well known that no one can remain therein without this formality? Ans. Because M. Chacheret told him it was not necessary, as he had already informed the Commandant that he had brought two hands down with him. Ques. With whom have you lived since your arrival, and for whom have you worked? Answer. He engaged in the employ of the English Mulatto woman named “Nelly,” who is housekeeper for Miguel Lopez, and went with her to the plantation at Grand Gulf; where he met with the aforesaid Miguel Lopez, with whom he engaged to work on his plantation. Ques. What wages he received per month? Ans. Twelve dollars. Ques. While he was dwelling on the said Plantation did not some strangers, fugitives, or persons unknown to him, appear there? Answ. It is certain that two persons of this District came to the house of Miguel Lopez, named Johnson and Trimble, who were going to hunt in the river, without being provided with passports, and that said Lopez lent them a pirogue and a gun, which happened about two days before Christmas. Ques. Have you seen any others afterward? Answer. Two days afterward came Tacitus Gaillard and his son Isaac, with three Negroes and a white man named Hughes. Ques. From whence they came? Ans. They said they came from the Choctaw Nation. Ques. How long did they remain at the house of Miguel Lopez, and how many horses had they. Ans. Two days and two nights, and had five horses and three mules; on the third day they went and encamped in the woods, distant about a league and a half from the Plantation, at a place known by the name of Big Black, from once they came daily to the house of Miguel Lopez for provisions. Quest. If Lopez went with them? Answ. That while they staid at that place Lopez did not
98
visit them, nor until he determined to join them at the village of the Nation, where they now are with the said Lopez. Quest. If he knew the said persons to be fugitives from the District? Answer. Yes. Quest. If he did not know that all those who give refuge to fugitives are partakers in their delinquency? Answer: He did not consider himself to be in that predicament being that a poor hireling, without house or property whatever, and living by his wages. Quest. If he knew the motive of Gaillard’s escape and what were his intentions? Answ. That the said Gaillard said he left the District because the Spaniards would not allow him to live in their territories. Quest. What were Gaillard and his associates doing in the Nation when he left them? Answ. That they were doing nothing there, but preparing to continue their journey to Carolina. Quest. What recompense Gaillard promised to Lopez for the services he rendered to him? Answ. He has no knowledge of the Agreement between them. Quest. With what view Lopez went to the Indian Nation? Answ. That a certain Armstrong, of this District, having come there, had a private conversation with Lopez, and shortly after he learnt that the said Armstrong had informed Lopez that he would be apprehended by order of the Commandant for having received into his house, the said Gaillard, which determined him to go to the Nation. Quest. If Gaillard and his company were at Big Black, when Armstrong gave Lopez the aforesaid information? Answ. Yes. And on the same day Gaillard’s son Isaac came to the house, to whom Lopez communicated the same information, and it was determined that they would immediately set out for the Yazoo Nation. Quest. If in the course of the information given by Armstrong he mentioned the detachment of troops ordered out under Don Antonio de Soler, Lieutenant of Artillery, and Don Joaquin de Alsomo of the Regiment of Louisiana? Answer. He did, and informed that a party were ordered to apprehend Gaillard and Lopez. Quest. If Armstrong informed them that he was commissioned by Commandant to discover the encampment of Gaillard and to serve as a guide to the officers who commanded the party? Answ. No. Quest. If Armstrong had any conversation with Gaillard or his son. Answ. No. Quest. If he knows where Armstrong now is. Answer. He does not know. Quest. If he has anything more to declare. Answ. No. And the foregoing being read to him by the interpreter, he acknowledged the same, declaring that he had nothing to add or to diminish therefrom, and confirmed the same on the oath which he has taken; and not knowing how to write has made his usual mark in the presence of the Notary, for the time being, the Interpreter, and witnesses alisting. Samuel + Smith.= Philip Tremio.= Antonio Soler.= Estavan Minor.= Carlos de Grand Pre.=Juan Carreras.
(99)
In Fort Panmure in Natchez on the twenty seventh day of the month of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty six, Miguel Lopez, having appeared of his own free will and mind, I have committed him to the prison of this fort and it being necessary to appoint a clerk to carry into effect the orders of his Excellency the Governor General of this Province? Dated the 16th of January of the present year, for the examination of the said Miguel Lopez, I have appointed Juan Carreras for that purpose, who served as such in the commencement of this process, which I insert into the proceedings.Carlos de Grand Pre.-Juan Carreras.-
On the same day, month, and year, I the King’s Sollicitor in this cause, in order to take the declarations of the witnesses and defendant have appointed George Fitzgerald to be Interpreter of the English language on this occasion who has accepted thereof and promised faithfully to discharge the same, in witness where he has signed.George Fitzgerald.Carlos de Grand Pre.Juan Carreras.Whereupon I caused to appear before the free mulatto woman named Nelly whom I caused to be sworn by means of the Interpreter, to answer truly to such questions as should be put to her, which she promised she would do. Quest. How long have you been in the District? Answ. I have been in this country twenty years. Quest. What employment do you follow? Answ. I deal in Merchandize. Quest. When did you last settle and where do you now dwell? Answ. At the Grand Gulf. Quest. If she cultivated the ground or traded with the Indians? Answ. That she did both. Quest. If she lived alone at the Grand Gulf. Answ. That for three years past she lived with and was in Partnership with a certain Miguel Lopez. Quest. If during the time she lived at the Grand Gulf with the said Miguel Lopez certain fugitives, from this District did not come to the house? Answ. That Tacitus Gaillard Esquire and his son came there with three of his negroes, and a white man named Hughes who slept there that night and the next morning departed for Big Black distant from the plantation about one league. Quest. In what month and on what day of the month the said Tacitus Gaillard came there? Answ. She does not remember. Quest. From whence came the said Gaillard? Answer. He told Miguel Lopez that he came from the Choctaw Nation. Quest. If she knew that the said Gaillard and his companion were fugitives? Answ. No. Quest. Why she declared that Tacitus Gaillard and his companions staid there but one night, when it is known he staid five days and two nights, and why she declared she did not know that he was a fugitive, when his escape was so well known in the District? Answ. That it is true and certain that the same Gaillard staid but one night at the house of Miguel Lopez, and that she knew nothing of his being a longer time?
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Fugitive. Quest. What kind of conversation the said Gaillard held with the said Miguel Lopez in the course of that night? Answ. All that she heard Gaillard say was that he hoped one day to be Commandant of Natchez.Quest. During how many days did Lopez furnish provisions to the said Gaillard, and of what kind? Answ. Lopez did not furnish him any provisions, but she sold him a bushel and a half of cornmeal. Quest. For what reason Gaillard left Big Black to go to the Indian Nation? Answ. She does not know. Quest. If when the said Gaillard set out for the Indian Nation, Miguel Lopez remained at his plantation? Answer. No, he departed with Gaillard. Quest. What induced Miguel Lopez to go away with the said Gaillard and his companions? Answer. He was induced to that stop by the information which he received from James Armstrong that a party were coming to arrest and take him prisoner to the fort. Quest. Relate fully the whole that was told to Miguel Lopez by Armstrong. Answ. That when Armstrong came to the Plantation, Miguel Lopez had his horse ready to go to Natchez, but Armstrong informed him that two pirogues, armed, were coming up to arrest him and Gaillard and his companions; whereupon he immediately resolved to fly to the Yazoo Nation. Quest. If the said Armstrong communicated to Lopez that he was charged by the Commandant of this Post to discover the encampment of Gaillard and to serve as guide for the Detachment sent up to apprehend him? Answer. He did. Quest. If Armstrong had any conversation or communication with Gaillard? Ans. She does not know. Quest. Who informed Gaillard, who was distant a league from her plantation, that troops were coming to apprehend him? Answ. That Gaillard received a letter, and his son received another; but she knows not who brought them. Quest. If Lopez and Gaillard concerted their flight together? Answ. She does not know. Quest. If Gaillard did not receive information of the troops from Lopez? Answ. No. Quest. Why have you said that Gaillard did not receive his information from Miguel Lopez, when it is known that on the day Armstrong came to the Plantation, Isaac Gaillard also came there, to whom Lopez communicated the information? Answer. It is not true that Isaac Gaillard came there. Quest. If she knows the punishment inflicted for perjury? Answ. All that she has declared is the truth. Quest. If no other fugitives came to her house. Answ. No. Quest. If Lopez did not assist some other inhabitants of this District, who were going on a hunting Party up the River, without having passports from the Commandment? Answer. She does not know of any. Quest. Why she had said no other persons had been at the house of
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Miguel Lopez, when it is known that four days before Gaillard came there, Johnson and Trimble set out upon a hunting party on the River, and that Lopez furnished them a Pirouge and a gun? Answer. It is true that the said Persons came to the House, but she was informed they were provided with Passports. Quest. If she has anything more to say, and how old is she? Answer. She has not, and is forty six years of age. And the foregoing being read and explained to her by the Interpreter, she acknowledged it to be the declaration she has given, ratifying and confiriming the same on the oath she had taken according to the form of the Protestant Religion which she professes; and not knowing how to write has made the mark of the cross, in presence of the Fiscul, the Interpreter of Clerk.= Carlos de Grand Pre. =Juan Carreras.=Geo. Fizgerald.=Nelly x Price.
Next appeared Thomas Bolls, who being sworn, by means of the Interpreter, on the Holy Evangelist, to answer truly to such questions as should be put to him; was required to declare his name. Ans. Thomas Bolls. Quest. How long he had been in this District? Answ. Twenty years. Quest. What employment he followed? Answer. He has always been employed in agriculture. Quest. Where he had last settled? And where he dwelt? Answ. At the Grand Gulf, in the house of Miguel Lopez. Quest. What engagement he had made with said Lopez to work for him? Answ. Lopez gave him ten Dollars per month to work the land. Quest. If during the time he lived in the house of Miguel Lopez, certain fugitives from this District had not been there? Answer. Yes. Quest. Who were said Persons? Mr. Gaillard and his son Isaac, with two negro men and two negro women belonging to them. Quest. How long did they remain at the house of Miguel Lopez? Answ. But one night. Quest. After they left the House of said Lopez, do you know what course they took? Answer. He does not. Quest. If Miguel Lopez knew that the said Persons were fugitives from this District? Answer. He does not know if Miguel Lopez knew they were fugitives. Quest. If the Said Gaillard or his son, returned to the house of Miguel Lopez some days afterward? He did not see either of them afterward, being always employed in the field. Quest. What assistance did Lopez give to the said Gaillard? Answ. That he furnished him with a bushel & an half of corn meal; and he does not know that he supplied him with anything else. Quest. If during the time that he lived with Miguel Lopez, he the said Lopez was absent from home? Answ. Yes. Quest. On what account did he leave home and with whom did he go? Answ. The occasion of his leaving home was the information he received from James Armstrong, that the Commandant of this Post, was preparing to send two Perogues, armed, to arrest him with some fugitives; in consequence whereof he departed immediately with the said Fugitives to a village of the Choctaw Nation. Quest. If he was present when Lopez, prepared to depart. Answer. No. Quest. How did he know that Armstrong gave
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The said information to Lopez, and if he had any conversation with him? Answ. That he was at breakfast in the house of Lopez, when Armstrong entered and addressing himself to Lopez, said “You are here at breakfast, while at Natchez two periogues are arming to take you and Gaillard;” on which Armstrong and Lopez went out, and he knows not the conversation that passed between them. Ques. If any other persons were in the employ of Miguel Lopez, and who they are. Answ. Samuel Smith and the Mulatto Woman “Nelly Price. Ques. If no other fugitives came to the house of Lopez? Answ. Yes: a certain Johnson and another named Trimble came to his house. Ques. If Lopez furnished these persons any assistance towards their journey? Answer: He furnished them a Periogue and a gun. Ques. If he has anything more to declare, and how old he is? Answer. He has nothing more to say, and is forty four years of age: And the foregoing being read and explained to him by the Interpreter, he acknowledged the contents thereof to be the declaration he had made; ratifying and confirming the same, on the oath which he has taken; and not knowing how to write, has made the mark of a cross, in presence of the Fiscal, Interpreter, and Clerk.= Thomas + Bolls.=Carlos de Grand Pre.=Juan Carreras. At the Fort aforesaid on this twenty eighth day of July 1786. I the Solicitor in this cause, accompanied by the Clerk, have repaired to the Prison in which is confined the Criminal Miguel Lopez, and informed him that it was necessary he should choose a Godfather to defend him in this trial; whereupon he made choice of Don Joaquin DeOssorno, Sub-Lieutenant of the second Company of Grenadiers; which I insert in the proceedings; and have signed with the Clerk.=Carlos de Grand Pre.=Juan Carreras.=Whereupon I proceeded to take the confession of the Criminal, who being ordered to raise his right hand was sworn truly to answer to such questions as should be pert to him, which he promised he would. Quest. Do you understand the Spanish Language sufficiently to comprehend all such questions as may be put to you? Answ. Yes, I understand the Language very well. Quest. What is your name? Answ. Miguel Lopez. Quest. What religion do you profess? Answ. The Roman Catholic. Quest. Where was you born? Answ. In the Town of Mahon? Quest. How old are you? Answ. About thirty four years. Quest. How long have you been in this Province? Answ. About fifteen years. Quest. Where did you last settle and dwell? Answ. At the Grand Gulf, where I traded with the Indians. Quest. If he had permission from the Governor General of this Province to trade with the Indians? Answ. Yes. Quest. If no fugitives from this District have been at his house? Answ. That Tacitus Gaillard and his son Isaac with another white man named Hughes and some negroes belonging to Gaillard came to his house. Quest. If he knew they were fugitives? Answ. Yes but he did not know them personally, having never seen either of them before.
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And supposed them to be strangers coming from the Indian Nations. Quest. How long did they stay at his house? Answ. They staid then but one night and the next morning set out through the woods. Quest. Why he declares that he did not know Gaillard, when it is known that he staid one whole day and night at his house, and he could not do otherwise than to enquire his name from himself or some one of the company, as well as the cause of his appearance in a place so remote. Having at the same time sold him a bushel and a half of corn meal, and bargained with him for a pirogue? Answ. That he certainly did enquire and found that he was Gaillard, who had escaped from this District, and sold him a little Corn meal. Quest. What kind of a pirogue he sold to Gaillard and the price thereof? Answ. That Mr. Gaillard wished to buy a pirogue from him but he did not choose to sell it to him. Quest. What Gaillard said to him? Answ. He told him that he left the District being told that the Commandant intended to arrest him. Quest. When Gaillard left his house the next day what course did he take? Answ. He went to a place called Big Black distant about a league from his plantation. Quest. How long did he remain at that place? Answ. He does not know. Quest. How often did Gaillard or his son return to his house for provisions? Answ. Not once. Quest. For what reson he left his house? Answer. Because he was alarmed by reason of the information given to him by a certain James Armstrong, who came to his house and called him aside and confided to him that the Spaniards were at Bayou Pierre, coming up the River to take him and Tacitus Gaillard and his son Isaac. Quest. If the said Armstrong told him nothing else? Answ. That he told him he was employed by the Commandant to discover the retreat of Gaillard and serve as guide to the Party sent to arrest him. Quest. Who gave that information to Gaillard? Answ. He does not know. Quest. Why he has declared that he does not know who gave the said information to Gaillard, when it has been proved by a witness, that on the same day when Armstrong arrived at his house Isaac Gaillard also came there, to whom he Lopez communicated the said information, and they resolved to set out together for the Yazoo Village? Answ. It is not true. Quest. If Armstrong had any conversation with Gaillard or his Son? Answ. He does not know. Quest. If he did not offer to procure an Indian Chief to serve as guide to Gaillard? Answ. No. Quest. Why he declares that he did not offer to procure an Indian for Gaillard, when it is known that he did himself make an agreement for Gaillard with the Chocktaw Chief named Payumu? Answ. That Gaillard himself made the bargain with the Indian and not the deponent. Quest. Where was the Indian Chief at that time? Answ. At my house. Quest. Who lived at his house at that time? Answ. Two English men, the one named Samuel Smith and the other named Thomas Bolls, hirelings, and the free Mulatto woman named Nelly Price. Quest. Where did he meet with Gaillard when he absconded?
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Answ. At Big Black Creek. Quest. If no other fugitives came to his house? Answ. None but the aforesaid Gaillard and his companions. Quest. Why he declares that no other fugitives came to his house, when it has been proved by witnesses that the persons named Johnson and Trimble came there, to whom he furnished a pirogue and a gun? Answ. It is true the said persons came to his house and that he lent them a gun and a pirogue but he did not know they were fugitives. Quest. If he does not know that all those who aid and assist fugitives subject themselves to the same penalties? Answ. He did not know it. Quest. Since he did not know himself to be culpable why did he abscond to the Indian Nation with the aforesaid Gaillard? Answ. He was allarmed by the information he received from James Armstrong. Quest. Why he did not give immediate information to the Commandant of the appearance of Gaillard at his house, as also of the criminal conduct of the aforesaid Armstrong? Answer. He erred in these respects through ignorance. Quest. If it did not occur to his reflection that he became an accomplice by concealment? Ans. It did not occur to him. Quest. If he did not know the duties obligatory in all the Subjects of his Majesty? Answ. He never was deficient in obedience or fidelity, and if he erred it was from ignorance. Quest. If he lived with Gaillard during his stay at the Yazoo Nation, and what conversation he had with him, and whom did he see there? Answ. That he lived with him until his return to this District; that their conversations were on indifferent subjects, and that he saw only the trader. Ques. If he had any communication with Davenport? Answ. No, he was with the Chickasaws. Quest. Where is Armstrong? Answ. He saw him at the house of Goden at Bayou Pierre, which he left immediately afterward, and he knows not what route he took: that Goden would not speak to him. Quest. If he has any thing more to declare, or allegations to make in his defence? Answer no. And the foregoing being read to him, he acknowledged it to be the confession he has made, ratifying and confirming the same on the oath which he has taken and not knowing how to write has made the mark of a cross, in presence of the Fiscal and Clerk.=Miguel + Lopez.=Carlos de Grand Pre=Juan Carreras.= At the moment of signing the Deponent added that Johnson and Trimble requested him to lend them a Perogue and Gun to shoot beede? On a Creek near his house, and promised to return them in three days, and that Trimble returned him the Gun at the Choctaw Nation.=Miguel Lopez.= Carlos de Grand Pre.= Juan Carreras.=
105
The Criminal being withdrawn. Don Joachin DeOrrso Sub Lieutenant of the Second Company of Grenadiers in the Regiment of Infantry of Louisiana, was informed that he had been chosen by the said Criminal, Miguel Lopez, to defend him in the matter of this suit, which he accepted, and has signed with the Fiscal and Clerk. Joaq. De Orrso.=Charles de Grand Pre.=Juan Carreras.=Whereupon the Witness Samuel Smith, the first Witness in the ?? and being duly sworn in I’ll have to come back to this page at a later time…terrible copy, hard to read
106
Days and two nights at his house, but only one night which was acknowledged by the witness: the accused also denied that Isaac Gaillard returned to his house and he communicated to him the information received from Armstrong; whereupon the witness affirmed that Isaac Gaillard did return to the house, but that Miguel Lopez was not there having already fled from home: the accused also denied that he had furnished daily provisions to Gaillard, and the witness affirmed that they came to the house three times and carried away one Buseal and half of meal, in all other respects they both agreed. And neither the accused nor witness knowing how to write they have made the mark of the Cross in presence of the Fiscal, the Interpreter, the Attorney for the Accused, and the Clerk.=Miguel + Lopez.=Samuel + Smith.=George Fitzgerald.=Joaq de Ossorno.=Carlos de Grand Pre.=Juan Carreras.=
The before named Witness being withdrawn, I called in the free Mulatto woman Nelly Price who was sworn by means of the Interpreter accordingly to the rights of her religion, in presence of the Attorney for the accused, and being confronted with the accused, he was asked if he knew the person before him and if he had any thing to alledge against her? To which he answered that he knew the person, and has nothing to object against her, and the declaration of the mulatto woman being read, the accused only observed that he did not hear the conversation of Gaillard therein mentioned, and in all other respects allowed the declaration of the said Mulatto woman to be true, and the said Mulatto Woman observed that the said Gaillard did speak the words therein mentioned, but that Miguel Lopez was not then present, and neither the accused nor Mulatto Woman knowing how to write, have made the mark of the Cross, and the Fiscal, the Interpreter, the Attorney for the Accused, and the Clerk have signed.=Miguel + Lopez.=Nelly + Price.=Carlos de Grand Pre.=George Fitzgerald.=Joaq. De Ossorno.=Juan Carreras.=The foregoing witness having withdrawn, Thomas Bolls, the third witness, was called in, and being duly sworn by means of the Interpreter, in presence of the Attorney for the accused, was confronted with the said accused, who was asked if he knew the person before him, and if he had anything to alledge against him? To which he answered that he knew the said Person and had nothing to object against him and the declaration of the said witness being read, the accused declared that he did not know that Johnson and Trimble were fugitives, and that he lent them the pirogue and the gun for three days only, and the witness maintained the fact to be as stated in his declaration; and neither the accused nor the witness knowing how to write, have made the mark of the Cross.=Miguel + Lopez.=Thomas + Bolls.=Joaq. De Ossorno.=George Fitzgerald.=Juan Carreras.=
[Did not transcribe the rest]
The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805
Abstracts of Early RecordsThe May Wilson McBee Collection, Volume 2
(Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1953)
“Nelly Price and others versus the estate of M. Lopez. Nelly Price, free woman of color, petitions that she lived six years with Miguel Lopez, deceased, on wages, at the rate of $10 per month, besides other sums which the petitioner paid to divers person for the said Lopez, as will appear by the account hereunto annexed. The petitioner represents that Your Excellency having granted a lot at the landing at Natchez to the said Lopez and your petitioner, at her own expense, built a house on part of this lot, given to her by said Lopez for that purpose. She prays that you will permit her to take possession of said house, having no place to dwell, and likewise to order that your petitioner be reimbursed to the amount of her account from the state. Your pet. Can prove the facts set forth above. Signed Nelly Price. 20 Feb. 1788. The account follows: Cash paid to William Barland, Christian Harman, Mr. King, Mr. White, Francisco Bazo, Mr. Gilbert, to wages for six years. Total $967.// p. 148
“2 Aug. 1788. At the request of a free mulatress, Nelly Price, appeared before me, Don Carlos de Grand-Pre, William Irwin, who declared, on oath, that one day, at the house of Miguel Lopez, the said Lopez told him that a part of the house belonged to the mulatress, Nelly Price, whom he had in his service. Signed Wm. Irwin. Wit: J. Vaucheret.// 9 Aug. 1788, appeared Luis Charboneau, who, on oath, declared that in the month of June, 1782, Miguel Lopez and the said Nelly Price having quarreled, the latter left him and lived in another house in this District, and the said Lopez, having solicited her to return, she refused to do so unless he should allow her $10 per month, to which the said Lopez agreed and she returned to work for him. Signs with a mark. Wit. Adam Bingamn. Before Grand-Pre.// p. 149 [??] At the same time appeared Patrick Murphy, an invalid soldier, who on oath, declared that in June 1782, being at the house of Miguel Lopez, he observed the mulatress, Nelly Price, crying and enquiring the cause, was informed that the said Lopez had beaten her, whereupon she left, etc. (the same account as above). Signed. Wit. A. Bingaman.// 28 Aug. 1788, appeared Joseph King, who, on oath, declared that in the year 1782, being hurt by a fall, he stayed at the house of Miguel Lopez and that during the time Lopez said, in his presence, that he had hired the mulatto woman, Nelly Price, at $10 per month. Signed before Estevan Minor and D. Smith.// At the same time appeared David Smith, who, on oath, declared that he heard Miguel Lopez say that he paid wages to the said Nelly but he could not say how much, Lopez not having said the amount. Signed D. Smith. Wit. Juan Carreras, Don Estavan Minor. Before Carlos de Grand-Pre.// Examined. If the mulatress, Nelly Price, can prove by competent witnesses that the sum she claims is owing her, the Commandant will cause the amount to be paid to her form the estate of the deceased. New Orleans. June 12, 1788. Signed Estavan Miro….Natchez 10 Sept. 1788. Sale of house of Miguel Lopez, deceased; said house having been cried and no bids made, proceedings closed. Wit: Juan Carreras, Tos. Wilkins, Sutton Banks, J.B. Perret, Pedro Walker, Antonio Soler. Before Grand-Pre.// 17 Sept. House again exposed and no one having bid, sale was closed; 24 Sept., for the third time, the house exposed to sale which was bid to the sum of $200, that sum being less than two-thirds of the appraisal, the said house was not sold. Same witnesses.// 14 Feb. 1789. For the last time, the house was exposed to sale, which was bid this day bid to $300 by Robert Abrams; to $301 by Nelly Price; finally to $335 by Nelly Price to whom the same was adjudged. She offered William Brocus for surety. Said purchaser made her mark, before witnesses. // 13 June 1789, the mulatress, Nelly Price, not having been able to pay for the house purchased by her, belonging to the estate of Miguel Lopez, deceased, and sold at public sale, and she having no property, Robert Abrams, being present, accepted the house for $334 payable as before-mentioned.” (McBee, 177-8)
Adams County Chancery Court
Spanish Court Records
Book E
Pgs. 151-2
[This is different and slightly more detailed than McBee’s concerning the loss of Nelly Price’s house]:
151
“14th day of the month of February, in the year one thousand Seven hundred and eighty nine, the Commandant aforesaid have for the last time, exposed to publick sale the house before mentioned, which was at the last time bid to two hundred dollars, and which was this day bid to three hundred dollars by Robert Abrams, to three hundred and one dollars by Nelly Price to three hundred and twenty dollars by Robert Abrams, to three hundred and thirty three dollars by Nelly Price, to three hundred and thirty four dollars by Abrams, and to three hundred and thirty five dollars by Nelly Price, to whom the same was adjudged for the said sum of three hundred and thirty five dollars, having offered William Brokus [Brocus] for surety: Whereupon we have closed the said sale and the said purchaser has made her mark, with the witnesses present…
152
On this thirteenth day of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and eight nine, I Don Carlos De Grand Pre, Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Armies, and Civil and Military Commandant of the Fort and District of Natchez, in consideration that the Mulattress Nelly Price has been unable to pay for the House purchased by her, belonging to the estate of Miguel Lopez deceased and sold at publick sale, and the said Nelly having no property in possession to which recourse might be had, considering further that the person whom she proposed as surety has declined becoming responsible for the mount of the purchase, have determined to adjudge the said house to Robert Abrams for the sum of three hundred and thirty four dollars which he had bid for the same, payable at the end of this present year one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, and the said Robert Abrams being present has accepted the house for the said sum of three hundred and thirty four dollars payable as before mentioned….
The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805
Abstracts of Early RecordsThe May Wilson McBee Collection, Volume 2
(Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1953)
26 Oct. 1792. Don Carlos de Grand-Pre, Lt. Col. Of Royal Armies and Civil and Military Commandant of Post and District of Natchez, in the absence of the Governor, to Capt. Estevan Miro powr to represent my person, rights, etc. with estate of Solomon Malline, late of New Orleans, who was indebted to me in a certain sum of money, and likewise to demand a copy of the partition of the deceased Mrs. Francisco Dufresne, who died in the District under the command of Don Miguel Cantrell, Lt. In the Royal Armies, which said partition was made about 6 years ago and the documents relating thereto are in the office of Don Pedro Pedescleau, which demand is made in the right of my wife, Elinor Price Page, heiress-in-law. (Signed) Carlos de Grand-Pre” (McBee, 150).
Priscilla
Priscilla, Police Board Records, September 1841
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 320
Special September Term 1841
The following applications for license to remain in this State, by free Negroes, and Mulattoes, were Ordered to be rejected To wit
The applications of Robert D.A. Smith
Priscilla Harriet Stern
Joe Cornish Armstead Carter
Nathl. Stearns Easter Stearns
Andrew Leiper Albert Tolbot?
Winney, Washington Stearns
Abagail Charlotte
R
Rabb
Kitty Rabb1 male 10-24; 1 female –10; 3 females 10-24; 1 female 24-36; 1 female 36-55 (1830 Adams Co. census)
Rachel
Rachel [no surname given]1 fpc (Census of 1816, Adams County)
Rachel, emancipation by Elizabeth Armstrong, 1802
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book C
P. 265
Know all men by these presents that I Elizabeth Armstrong of the City of Natchez and Mississippi Territory for and in consideration of the Sum of Fifty Dollars lawful money to me in hand well and truly paid by Peter Walker of the same place at and before the sealing and delivery here of the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained sold and delivered and by these presents do bargain sell and deliver unto the Said Peter Walker a Certain Female Negro Child named Rachel about one month of Age being the Issue of a Certain negro Woman named Rachel who was a Slave for life now deceased to have and to hold the said negro child unto the said Peter Walker his Extors Administrators and Assigns to his and their only proper use benefit and behoof until said child shall have attained the age of eighteen years Provided always that the said Negro Child named Rachel shall at the age of eighteen years aforesaid be free and Emancipated and no further under the Controle or Convention of the said Peter Walker his Executors Administrators or Assigns or under the Controle of any Other person or persons whatforever but henceforth shall be at Liberty to exercise her own will in as ample a manner as if she had been born free in witness whereof I the said Elizabeth Armstrong have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of August A.D. 1803
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of William B Elam Elizabeth Armstrong
Randall
Woolfolk, John & Austin v. Meeks, Samuel, 1829
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 52
File 5
Not transcribed
[HNF note: Seeks refund for the purchase of a slave ($325) named Randall (or Lewis) and expenditures ($390) for the same, who turned out to be a free person of color. Dismissed at cost to plaintiff. Slave warranty]
Rebecca
Rebecca, a free black woman, Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 14
March Term 1832
Rebecca a free black woman about 32 years old five feet six inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Rebecca be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
Manumission of Rebecca by Francis Fair, 1849
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book KK
P. 557
Alford notes that Fair was a former resident of Natchez who then moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.
Reed
State v. Read, Peter and Bell, Peter, 1821
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 7
File 110
The State of Mississippi
Adams County
Apprehend and bring before the undersigned Justice of the peace, Peter Read a free man of color to be proceeded against for an affray and breach of the peace with Peter Bell a free man of color in my view on this day Monday the 29th April 1821.
Given under my hand & seal
To any lawful officer
To execute &c.
H. Tooley (seal)
The defendant was apprehended & brought before me and committed to prison for further proceedings on tomorrow
29 April 1821
May 1. 1821. The defendant came before me and entered into recognizance to appear at our next Superior court to answer & c.
H. Tooley
Identical one as above but for Peter Bell
The State We the Jury find
vs indt affray the persons guilty
Peter Read and in manner & form
Peter Bell charged in the ind
ictmentand
Pros fine the prisoners
Henry Tooley in the Sum of 18$
Witness each with costs of
Henry Tooley Suit.
H. Tooley Sworn and
Suit
H Moss D.C.
True Bill
Samuel Clement
Foreman
Execution issued
The State of Mississippi
County of Adams
Superior Court
May Term, one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
The Grand Jurors of the State of Mississippi ^ in and for the County of Adams upon their oath present: that Peter Read, a free man of color and Peter Bell a free man of color on the twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one, with force and arms, in the City of Natchez, in the County aforesaid, did make an affray, to the great terror of the good citizens of the state aforesaid then and there being, to the evil example of all others in like case offending and against the peace & dignity of the State of Mississippi.
Tho. B. Read
Atty. Genl.
Ann Reed, 35mf, “FN,” LA (1850 Natchez census)
Simeon Knight to Rachel (Reed), manumission, 1814
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book H
Pgs. 269-70
Simeon Knight
To Received to record the 9th day of December 1814
Rachel
State of Louisiana ______ Parish of East Baton Rouge on this nineteenth day of December in the Year of Our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Twelve before me Andrew Steele Parish Judge Performing the duties of Notary public of the said Parish, personally came and appeared Simeon Knight of the Army of the United States who declares that whereas he is owner and proprietor of a certain female Negro Slave named Rachel aged about Thirty seven years having purchased the said Slave from William Mulers of the City of New Orleans as will appear by reference to the authentic act of Sale recorded in the Office of George F ? [Key?] Notary Public of said City of the date of the first day of October last to purchase said female slave the said appears on account of his good will towards her with consideration of the faithful services which he has received from her desirous to give Liberty and Freedom And the said Simeon Knight having complied with the Requisites of the Law in such cases made and provided does by these presents liberate the said female slave named Rachel from all and every? Obligation of servitude and slavery whatever kind to which she might here after be subject according to the Laws of this state or of any State herein? Of the United States For which purpose the said Simeon Knight ?? himself and his heirs forever of all right of property which he has or might have in the said Slave and transfers the same to her, that as a free person she may make contracts acquire and possess property appear in Courts of [illegible] as Plaintiff or Defendant execute Writings Obligations and Testamentors, and do all other and judicial and extrajudicial which free persons may of right do enjoying and using her Liberty in all respects and without any ?? according to the Laws Usages and customs of the State or territory when ? and the said Simeon Knight does hereby bind himself his heirs executors and administrators to preserve inviolate this Instrument according to the true intent and meaning there of In Testimony whereof he has hereunto with me the public and Notary aforesaid and in presence of Edward Harris and [illegible]
p. 270
witness subscribed his name the day and year first above written Simeon Knight of the United States ArmyEdward HarrisHarvey ??Andrew Steele
[More details not transcribed, but 19th day of December 1812]
Simeon Knight to Rachel Reed, sale of mulatto son, James, 1814
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book H
P. 270
Simeon Knight
To Received to record the 9th day of December 1814
Rachel Reed
Know all men by these presents that I Simeon Knight Capt. In the Armies of the United States for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred Dollars lawful Money of the United States to me in hand well and truly paid by Rachel Reed negro Woman/free/ the receipt inhereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain sell and deliver unto the said Rachel Reed a mulatto child named James about two years and four months old of whom the said Rachel is Mother to have and to hold the said Mulatto Child or Boy named James unto her the said Rachel her heirs and assigns to her and their only services benefit and behoof during her natural life And I do hereby Warrant and will forever defend the Title of said Mulatto child against all lawful Claims whatsoever In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty first day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and Thirteen
Signed Sealed and delivered
In presence of Simeon Knight
John Snodgrass
Alex Henderson
Be it known that on the day of date hereof before me John Henderson Notary Public for the Mississippi Territory residing in the City of Natchez by Lawful authority duly commissioned and Sworn personally came Simeon Knight Capt in the Armies of the United States and executed the within Bill of Sale in my presence and in the presence of the Subscribing Witnesses and acknowledged the same to be his act and Deed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal at Natchez aforesaid the twenty first day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and Thirteen
John Henderson Not. Pub.
State v. Thomas, GB, 1820
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 5
File 66
Thomas d. Chew being duly sworn, deposeth that on the 5th day of Oct. 1820When returning from his bourding [sic] house, he saw a crowd of people assembled opposite the store of Lehman & Beaumont, supposing something the matter, he step’d to see the cause. Mr. Green B Thomas was there and had a Mulatto boy tied with a rope, he the deponent saw Mr. Thomas strike the boy one blow with a stick or club on the arm. & a short time after led the boy off with him. --- The deponent follow’d him as far as Mr. Postlethwaite’s corner, when Mr. Thomas was overtaken by Mr. Thornberry, who seized the rope, with which that boy was confin’d, then in the hand of Mr. Thomas.- does not recollect to have heard of Mr. Thomas.- does not recollect to have heard any words pass between them, but saw Mr. Thornberry jerk the rope from Mr. Thomas, who dismounted immediately from his horse, and endeavor’d to retake the rope which Confin’d the boyMr. Thornberry step’d back a little, and struck Mr. Thomas, who when he discovered, he was about to recieve [sic] a blow, lifted up his arm, as
I thought to fend off the blow.This by some may have been taken for a blow from Mr. Thomas, but I am very Confident Mr. Thomas did not strike at allThe blow which Mr. Thomas rec.d Knock’d him down, and while down Mr. Thornberry struck him several times with a cow-hide –
After the affray I was call’d on by Mr. Thomas to dress his wounds. I found Mr. Thomas’s lip cut entirely through, occasion’d by the blow he had just rec.d from Mr. Thornberry.-
I was also call’d on by Mr. Thornberry to see the Mulatto boyupon examination I discover’d three wounds on the Scalp, two open and one contused, also several Contusions on the arms, which appear’d to have been inflicted by a stick or club.The boy was severely injur’d, from which at first some danger was apprehended, but the usual remedies being made use of, the inflammation subsided, and he was out of all danger.
Sworn to & subscribed before me Tho. S. Chew
28. November 1820
H. TOOLEY Mr.
We agree that the above shall be evidence in the Case of the State [illegible]
The State in D. Thornberry It is agreed that the above
Same in G. Thomas deposition be read on the
Same Trial of those prosecutions
Vs November Term
Same Adams County
Superior Court
E. Turner, Atty Genl
Nov. 28. 1820
State of Mississippi
Adams County
Samuel Thornberry [illegibleJun. perhaps?] Complains on Oath to the undersigned Justice of the Peace in & for said Countyagainst Greenberg Thomasfor this to witthat the Said Greenberg Thomas did this day commit a most violent assault & Battery upon Peter ^ Reed a a [sic] free man of Colorhe being in the Peace and with a large hickory stick or clubdid beat, & wound said Peter Reed so that there is reason to believe his life is in danger-- & further this deponent believes that Said Peter Reed will not Survive until morningtherefore he prays the warrant of the State to apprehend said Greenberg Thomasthat he may be brought to Answer for said Offenses and be further dealt with as the Law directs
Deponent farther on his Oath stated-- assault on said Peter Reed was committed in his presence & view as a practice of the Peace[illegible] person’s? interest in the Said Peter Reed and for the more impartial inquiry
into Said assault & battery he is rendered to make the complaint before the present justicenotwithstanding the Said complainant hath already issued ?? warrants against Said Thomas--& which warrant he prays may be made returnable before the presents further
Samuel Thornberry
Sworn to & Subscribe
This 5th October 1820
Andw Marschalk
State of Mississippi To any Constable
Adams County of Said County
You are hereby commanded to apprehend Greenberg Thomas above named and hand him before the undersigned Justice of the Peace at his office in Said County at eight o’clock tomorrow morning to answer to the charge above named to be farther dealt with as the law directs
Witness the hand & Seal of Said Justice this 5th day of October 1820.
Andw Marschalk (seal)
State of Mississippi on examof an asst &
Adams County Battery (with intent) to kill
Vs Peter Reeda free man of Color
GB Thomas
James Carson?Saw the negro Peter Red near the [illegible] & Cohe was bloodyhe was tied
Saml Thornberry Sworn?an [illegible few words]Peter Reedthe boy namedleft my house heardthe boy cry outran overSaw Mr. Thomas strike the boy Several fierce blows with a heavy clubknocked him downhe took him round to the door of W.P.--& there rescued him from the custody of Mr. Thomby a combat with Tho.I sent him homeI Struck Thomasknocked him down and afterwards Struck him Several Blows with a Cowhide
*James Dennywas called to See the boyfound he had recdSeveral contusionsSaid Thomas Strikehim Several blowsdoes not [illegible] present [illegible] of his case dangerousrecognizing the stick present as the one that was used//
Thomas Chew.was called in after Doctor Denryfound the two open wounds on his head--& marks of pretty genl. concussion of the head.did think him in dangerbutthinks at present that he will recover.
Dr. Jas. Metcalfknows nothing of ass.the boy seems to have recd Sevel [sic] Severe blows (on the head)Some on the Arm.does not think his life in Danger./
[Does not appear to have disposition]
Reynolds
Henry Reynolds5 fpc (Census of 1816, Adams County)
Henry Reynolds5 fpc (Census of 1818, Adams County)
Territory v. Renolds, Harry, 1817
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 40
File 54
Mississippi TerritoryAdams County
Territory
Vs
Harry Renolds On Complaint made by Elizabeth Taylor, one oath against said Harry Renolds for selling liquor by retail, contrary to the statute in such case made & provided (he being a free negro, or Mulatto). On Sunday the 29th day of June 1817I signed warrant on the 30th of June & which is returned by John Forsyth, a regular constable, as duly executed, on the 1st day of July 1817the said defendant being present
On hearing his testimony I do find that said Harry Renolds, guilty in manner & formas stated in the said complaintand it being a second offence, enter judgment against him for the sum of twenty dollars paid together with costs of suit
From which judgment the said Harry Renolds prays an appeal to the next Superior Court of said Countyhaving expected bond, with Abner Mardis his security, conditions on the law directsthe same is granted to himA true
July 21st 1817 Andrw Marschalk
Justice of the Peace in Said County
[HNF note in database: Charged with selling liquor as a free person of color, a mulatto (second offense, against the statute)].
Richard
Alexander Parker's Will, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 2
P. 3
First it is my desire and request that my little negro boy named Richard aged about eleven years be set free and liberated by my Executors hereinafter named, and that he take the necessary and best means to have him fully and completely liberated I here in doing the same as far as I can be ? by last will and testament
[Not all transcribed, just the part relevant to free blacks]
Roach
John Roach’s Free Papers, 1826
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book O
Pgs. 462-77
John Roach’s Free Papers
To the honorable the District Court of the State of Louisiana for the first district.
The petition of John Roach a free man of color now in the city of New Orleans Honorably Shewest That your ?
entitled to the enjoyment of his liberty being born free in the state of Pennsylvania; that notwithstanding he was arrested and committed to the prison of the city of aforesaid, where he is now illegally detained by one H. Holland the keeper thereof, who refuses to discharge him, alledging that he is a runaway slave.
Further your petitioner saith he is poor and unable to pay the expenses of a suit, wherefore he prays that he may be permitted to sue for his freedom in forma? pauperas; that the said Holland may be summoned to answer this petition, that your petitioner may be decreed to be free & discharged from the illegal confinement aforesaid, that during the pendency of this suit he might be hired out by said Holland; and that said Holland be enjoined from delivering your petitioner into the possession of any person claiming him as a slave, until the further order of your honor in this behalf, one that your petitioner might have all the relief that his case may require
And your petitioner, ?
(signed) H
Gabriel Mckee being sworn deposeth, that he has known the within mentioned John Roach, for a number of years past that he knew him to be in the enjoyment of his freedom in Philadelphia was acquainted with his mother also whom he knew to be free sworn & subscribed to before me this (signed) Gabriel Mckee
19th Jany, 1817 at New Orleans
(signed) J Nixon
Justice of the peace of the 5th
Section of New Orleans
The petitioner is allowed to use in former pouperis, and it is ordered that the sheriff here out the said petitioner and retain the proceeds of his hired untill the further order of the Court
(signed) Joshua Lewis
20th Feb 1817
The State of Louisiana
First Judicial District Court
M?. H. Holland
You are hereby summoned to appear at the office of the sheriff of the parish or New Orleans and comply with the prayer of the annexed petitioner or file your answer therto in writing, in the office of the Clerk: of the first judicial district court at the city of New Orleans in ten days after the service hereof
Witness Joshua Lewis Judge of said court the 20th day of Feb in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventeen
(Signed) Stephen
Received copy of petition and citation Feb 20th 1817
Returned Feb 21st 1817
(signed) J. H. Holland
Be it known that on the fourth day of March in year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventeen, and in the forty first year of the independence of the United States of America into the District Court, of the state of Louisiana in and for the the [sic] first judicial District came J. H. Holland by his attourney and filed
The following answer in the words following, towit
The answer of J. H. Holland defendant to the petitioner of a certain man of color styling himself John Roach, a free man of color,
This respondent saving & reserving to himself all exceptions to the form, as well as substance of the 2nd plaintiffs petition says; that the said plaintiff was committed to his custody as keeper of the public prision of the parish of New Orleans, as a runaway slave the property of Jostine & Zeno Romain of the
p. 463
of the Parish of St James in the State of Louisiana & as much has been detained in custody by this respondent
That the said J & Z Romain claim the said plff as their slave having purchased him of such by the name of John of Thos. I. Robert of the State of Kentucky one of the firm of Thos. I. Roberts & co of Springfield in the said state of Kentucky
Whereupon he pray that the said J & Z Romain may be cited and made parties defendants to the suit, and that this defendt. may be hence dismissed with his cost
(signed) Porter & DePeyster atters.
Be it known that on the fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & seventeen and in the forty first year of the Independence of the United States into the District court of the state of Louisiana in & for the first judicial district came ??? Zeno Romain by their counsels Msr. Porter & DePeysters and filed the following answer in the words following. viz
John Roach er J. M. C. The answer and claim of Jostine & Zeno Romain to the
Vs. petition of John Roach stating himself a free man of color. That
J. H. Holland of those respondents & claimants saving all and evry exception as well to the form as substance of said pltff petition, they answer & say that they purchased the 2nd pltff as a slave on the 4th of May 1816 at the city of New Orleans in the state of Louisiana by the name of John of Thos. I. Roberts of Springfield in the state of Kentucky, one of the Thos. I. Roberts & co. as they are ready to shew when required and claim the said plff as their property, and these reponts. Further say that they deny that he is entitled to his liberty, that he was born a slave, and has never been legally enfranchised
Wherefore they pray that he may restored to him and his said petition dismissed, and that the said Thos. I. Roberts & co. your responents vendors may be called in & made parties defendnt in this case, to defend your petitioners title, and that those respondents may be hence dismissed with their cost & c.
(Signed) Porter & DePeyster attrn.
The State of Louisina
First Judicial District Court
Messrs. Thos. I. Roberts & co.
You are hereby summoned to appear at the office of the shff of the parrish of New Orleans & comply with the prayer of the annexed petition or file your answer thereto in writing in the office of the clrk of the first Judicial district court out the city of New Orleans in ten days after the service hereof.
Witness Joshua Lewis judge of the 2nd court the 3rd day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventeen,
(signed) Stephen Pedesclaux D.R.C.K.
Served copy of petition and citation on G. Musson agent for Thos. I. Roberts & co March 3rd 1817
Returned June 15th 1817,
(signed) J. H. Holland D. Shrff
Be it known that on the 5th day of March one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, and in the forty first year of the Independence of the United States into the District court; of the state of Louisiana, in & for the first judicial District, came John Roach, J.M.C by his attorney H. Carlton Esgr. And filed the following supplemental petition in the words following. viz
John Roach J. M. C. District Court First District
Vs. The supplemental petition & answer of the said John Roach
J. H. Holland J. M. C.
p. 464
Respectfully represents that sinse the petition to which this is a supplement, was filed Jostine & Zena Romain have interplead and claim your petition as their slave by virtue of a purchase made from one Roberts, alledging that your petitioner had been born a slave and always held and reputed as such all of which he this petitioner denies to be true
Further this petitioner and respondent says that said Jostine & Zena Romain did unlawfully hold him in a state of servitude by virtue of the pretended purchase from said Roberts as aforesaw for a considerable time that is to say ten months, that they the said Jostine & Zena Romain did put our petitioner and respondent to hard labor, did ill treat and misuse him by oftimes beating him cruelly and punishing him by cutting off one of his ears, marking & scarifying his body in divers places with a whip and other unlawful means and by branding him on the breast with an hot iron with the letters S.Z.R by all of which 2nd petitioner and respondent has been endamaged in the sum of ten thousand dollars.
Wherefore this petitioner & claim and prays judgement against the said Jostine & Zena Romain for the said sum of $10,000, dollars & that he might have all the relief that the nature of his case require And this respondent viz.
(signed) H. Carlton
The state of Louisiana
First judicial District Court
Mssr. Jostine & Zena Romain
You are hereby summoned to appear at the office of the sheriff of the parish of New Orleans, and comply with the prayer of the annexed petition, on file your answer thereto in writing, in the office of the Clerk of the first judicial District court at the City of New Orleans in ten days after the service hereof.
Witness Joshua Lewis judge of 2nd court of the 1st day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventeen
(signed) Stephen Pedesclaux D. R. C. K.
Served copy of petition & citation Jostine Romain April 2nd 1817
Returned April 3rd 1817
(signed) J. H. Holland depty. Shrff.
John Roach J. M. C Gabriel McKee being sworn, deposeth that he is Vs. acquainted with the plff in this case, that he knows J.H. Holland & L.&Z. Romain his mother who lives in Philadelphia, that she is a
free woman and that the said plff was born free That he believes the said John Roach will be finally enabled to prove his freedom by many persons residing in Philadelphia, if he can obtain a commission for that purpose and further this defnants with that he believes it would not be safe for the said plff to go to trial unless he should first obtain evidence of his freedom from Philadelphia
(signed) Gabriel McKee
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 9th March 1817 at New Orleans
(Signed) J. Nixon of the peace
of the 5th pr. Of New Orleans
District Court
Saturday 8th March 1817
John Roach F.M.C On motion of mrs. Carleton of council for the plff upon vs upon filing the affidavit of Gabriel McKee it was there J.H. Holland upon ordered by the court, that a commission issue in this
Case, directed to the mayor or recorder of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania to take the testimony of witnesses to be read as evidence on trial.
p. 465
District Court
Saturday 15th March 1817
John Roach F.M.C In motion of Mr. Porter of counsel for the defendnt it was there vs. upon ordered that a commission issue in this case directed to J.H. Holland ? Emily and Charles A Wickliff or to either of them, at Bairdstown, State of Kentucky to take the testimony of witnesses to be read as evidence on the trial.
Be it known that on the twenty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventeen, and in the forty first of the Independence of the United States into the District Court of the State of Louisiana in & for the first judicial district came J. H. Holland by his counsel Msr. Porter & DePeyster and filed the following afftt in words following (viz.)
John Roach In the district court of the state of Louisiana for the first judicial district
Vs
J. H Holland The deposition of Robt. H. Irving taken by consent of parties, and to be read in evidence on the part & behalf of the 2nd defendt. on the trial of the above case The said R. H. Irving being duly sworn oath depose & say that this deponent has seen the 2nd pltff in the jail of the city and parrish of New Orleans between the 19th of Feb & 21st of March that this deponent recognize the said plff. as being the same person that he has seen in the state of Kentucky held as a slave as the property of Thos. I. Roberts of Bairdstown of said state in the year 1814 and that he was afterward sold by said Roberts to major Smily, and accompanied the said James Smily to New Orleans as a waiter with the detachment of Kentucky Militia that marched for the defense of New Orleans that the said plff returned to Kentucky with said Smily where he was sold to Thos. I. Roberts & co-that this deponent has always known the said plff as a slave in possession of the persons aforesd.
Cross examined by the plffs counsel
Witness says he did not [blank] plantiff until about the months of Feb or March 1814 when he became acquainted with him for the first time he was then held as the slave of Thos. I. Roberts
I consent that the above be read as evidence without swearing witness
(signed) H. Carleton
State of Louisiana First Judicial District
Be it known that on the seventeenth day of April in the years of our Lord on thousand eight hundred & seventeen, In the forty first year of the Independence of the United States, into the district court of the State of Louisiana in & for the first judicial District, came the the [sic] parties to this suit by their counsel Msr. H. Carleton & Msr. Perter & DePeyster and filled the following affidavit in the words following (viz)
John Roach F.M.C District court of the state of Louisiana for the first
Vs. District,
J.H. Holland & J&Z Romain William I? Dixon being sworn deposeth, that he became acquainted with Elizabeth Roach about seven years ago the she resided at that time in second street Philadelphia. That she was a free woman of color, in the enjoyment of her liberty that said Elizabeth Roach is the mother of the plaintiff – John Roach that he saw said plaintiff with his Mother in Philadelphia. That said Elizabeth has another son named William the brother of said John Roach, That this deponent was about six or seven years ago first mate of the brig Atlantic. Edward Whiting Master. That said Elizabeth Roach brought her son William on board the said vessel & hired him there where he continued with deponent eighteen months or more- that said Elizabeth Roach at that time washed the cloths of 2nd capt. Whiting and crew while the vessel was in the port of Philadelphia- that said plaintiff John Roach
p. 466
was in the habit of bringing the cloths that his mother had washed to the crew and carrying others to her to be washed, that plaintiff John was often on board to see his brother William that this deponent is satisfied that said Elizabeth Roach is a free woman that he never heard any thing to the contrary but while he was acquainted with she was in the actual enjoyment of her liberty- that he also knows John the plaintiff to be free as he always supposed & believes,
Further this deponent saith that about two months ago he went into the jail of New Orleans that John the Plaintiff who was then imprisioned approached this deponent and called this deponent by namethat this deponent did not immediately engage? His name but knew his countenance that John the plaintiff told this deponent that his mother washed for him this deponent in Philadelphia that as soon as John began to relate this circumstance this deponent recognized him as distinctlythat this deponent is sure that plaintiff is the same person who used to bring the clothes his mother washed to the crew of the aforesaid vessel that he is ? that he is the brother William Roach who served? On board the said vessel with this deponent 18 months that the resemblance between the brothers is very striking that plaintiff John related many circumstances that occurred while this deponent was in Philadelphia that this deponent is perfectly satisfied that he is not mistaken in his knowledge of the identity? Of the said Plaintiff John
Further this deponent saith that he has been often in Philadelphia and was there about five years ago, when he called on the said Elizabeth Roach for the purpose of hiring William her son to go on board of the little ??, on board of which this deponent was at that time but was told by said Elizabeth, that William was gone to sea & that John the plaintiff was gone to learn a trade as well as this deponent remembers that said Elizabeth was then as she had always been since the acquaintance of this deponent with her in the enjoyment of her freedom. That this deponent was acquainted with said Elizabeth during? Two years or thereaboutsThat this deponent has been a seafaring man for about seventeen years
Cross examinedsays he never saw said pltff. From the time he saw him in Philadelphia aforesaid, which is seven years ago, until he saw him in prision as aforesaid at New Orleansdeponent is as sure that said John in in [sic] prision is the same person he saw in Philadelphia as aforesaid, as a person could be who had not seen him him [sic] for seven years. When deponent last saw said John in Philadelphia he was about twelve or fifteen years of age Deponent is not going to leave this place for some time further he saith that that [sic] he knows that the plaintiff in this case, named John Roach, who has one ear cropped and branded on the breast with certain letters, the reason why depnt thinks that the mother was free is because she acted like a free woman as she bound her son William by indenturethe reason why he believes that John is the son of Elizabeth Roach is because she always called him so & deponent feels satisfied in his own mind that said is the same lad he knew in Philadelphia as aforesaidDeponent thinks that John is now about 21 years of age, Deponent further saith that when he went into the jail at New Orleans about 2 months ago as above stated he went there as a prisioner on suspision of debtDeponent has now a probability of leaving this place very soon for service on board the brig Congress he has not yet signed any articles it is uncertain in what capacity he will go on board said brigfurther examined by ? Plaintiffs counsel John Roach was then produced when this deponent recognized him as the person spoken of in the preceding deposition, and he is admitted by J. H. Holland ? to be the pltff in the case in which this deposition is taken, John Road who is now in the presence of the witness is the plaintiff in the above case
Subscribed & sworn to before me by ? this 15th April 1817 Signed N.D.? Dixon
J.H. Holland
p. 467
New Orleans April 16th 1817
The within mentioned deponent W.D. Dixon further saith that the ? John Saith a blackman alluded to in his deposition has one of his ears cut and is branded on the breast with the letters S.Z.R. Signed W.D. Dixon
Sworn to & subscribed this 16th day of May 1817 signed Martin Garoch?, Clk
John Roach a free man of color
District Court of the State of Louisiana
J.H. Holland, J.S. & F Roman for the first district
Gabriel McKee being sworn deposeth and says that he lives with Thos Ferguson in New Orleans, that he went into the kitchen of Young & Briant to grind pepper some four days before the Deft was imprisoned that said Deft who was there accused? This deponent to this effectdon’t you know me, my mother used to wash for you in Philadelphia in South Streetthat after John the Deft had some conversation with the deponent, this deponent remembered him distinctlythat he saw said plaintiff more than five years ago or thereabouts as he can recollect in Philadelphia that he then lived with a woman of color called Mrs Roach whom the plaintiff always called mother and she recognized & treated him as her son that said Mrs Roach was a washer woman & often washed the clothes of the deponent that this deponent is a confectioner? To trade and followed his business in Philadelphia that he was acquainted with Mrs Roach five or six months during which time she washed his clothesthat she was free and in the actual enjoyment of her freedom as was also John her son during the time this deponent knew them that this deponent is certain that the plaintiff John now in confinement in prison is the said person herein alluded to, that he remembers the features of his face, and is further convinced from many circumstances related by said pltf of occurrences during their acquaintance in Philadelphia that he is the same personthat while this deponent followed his trade with Paul Lajuste a confectioner in Philadelphia during the time herein alluded to at the north east corner of Second and Market Street that the wife of Perry? Mark with whom he boarded becoming sick the said Mark then recommended this deponent to Mrs Roach as a washer woman his wife being unable to do it herself that this is the way he became acquainted with Mrs Roach and the plaintiff John, that after said Mrs Roach had washed for him five or six months he changed his lodging next to live with his cousin who washed for him after which time his acquaintance with the plantiff & his mother ceasedthat this deponent is not acquainted with William D. Dixon the other witness for the pltf
Cross examinedsays the mother acted like a free woman of color while he knew her in Philadelphia, the reason why deponent thinks that said John is the son of Elizabeth Roach is because he called her motherdeponent is the person who made the affidavit annexed to the petition
Further this deponent saith that John Roach a black man the person alluded to in this deposition has one of his ears cut & is
p. 468
branded on the breast with the Letters S, Z, R.
Deponent further on cross examination says that he has known William D Dixon the other witness for the plantiff about ? or four weekssaid Dixon told him the deponent ? he had been confined in jail in New Orleans for [hard to see with quality of digital pic] the time that deponent last saw John [in?] Philadelphia until he first saw him here five or six years or more have elapsedDeponent made the affidavit to the ? of the plaintiff in this case at the request of Mr Brown who keeps a [illegible] boarding house & tavern in New Orleans when John Stayed as deponent [illegible] after he had runaway before he was put in Jail
Sworn to & Subscribed Signed Gabriel McKee
Before me this 10th day
Of April 1817
Signed Martin Gordon clk…[some text not transcribed]
State of Louisiana First Judicial District Court
Be it known that on this thirtieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & Eighteen & in the forty first year of the acceptance of the United States the following return of Commissioners filed in the office of the clerk of the District Court of the State of Louisiana in and for the first Judicial District in the words and figures following viz
Bardstom SC 1 D?z 15. Paid 1.75
May 8
To the Clerk of the District Court for the State of Louisianafirst Judicial District New Orleans
John Roach
V The State of Louisiana District Court
H Holland First Judicial District
To Messrs. Saml T Smiley & Charly A. Wickliffe or to either of them Bardstown Kentucky
Greeting,
Know ye that we reposing confidence in your ? and fidelity do by these presents give unto you authority diligently to examine all witnesses whatever in a certain suit now pending in one? District Court in which John Roach fm of C is plaintiff and H Holland Defendant as well on the part of said pltf as of the said Defendant Therefore we desire you that at certain times and places by you to be appointed for that purpose you casue the said witnesses to come before you, that you then and there examine them apart upon their respective corporal oath first taken before you upon the Holy evangelist that you reduce their examination to writing, and when you shall so have taken them that you send the same closed up under your seal to us in our district Court at the City of New Orleans without delay. And have you ? there this ?
Witness Joshua Levy Judge of the same Court this 15th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand
p. 469
eight hundred and seventeen and in the forty first year of the independence of the United States
Signed Martin Gordon Clerk
John Roach
Vs In the district Court of the State of Louisiana in and for the 1st Judicial
H Holland District
Interrogatories to be administered to D. Bunk[unclear rest of his name] Hugh Smiley Henry H Roberts and Robert Campsill for Bardstown Nelson County & State of Kentucky, Witnesses to be produced, Sworn and examined on the part and behalf of the said defendant before Samuel Smiley and Charles A Wickliffe of Bardstown in the State of Kentucky or either of them in pursuance to the commission hereunto annexed
1st Int: Do you or do you not know a certain negro man named John formerly held as a Slave by Thomas C Roberts of the State of Kentucky?
2nd Int: Do you or do you know that the said Roberts sold the said John as a Slave to major James Smiley at Bardstown in the State of Kentucky and that the said James Smiley afterwards sold the said John as a slave to Thomas C Roberts & c of Springfield in the State of Kentucky?
3d Int: How long have known the said John? And during the time you knew him was he sold & by whom as a slave. Where was the said John born? And was his mother free when he was born or is she now free? Declare all the knowledge you have relative to the said John being a slave as fully and at large as if you had been more particularly interrogated thereto?
Lastly Do you know of any other mater [sp] or thing or have you heard or can you say any thing further that may in any way tend to the benefit or advantage of said defendant, if yea declare the same as fully and at large as if you had been particularly interrogated thereto
Signed Porter & DePeyster for defts?
Cross Interrogatories by Plaintiff Counsel
Have you any interest whatsoever in the decision of this case? Will you not be responsible in warranty if the pltf gains his liberty? Are you related in any degree to either Mr. Roberts or Major Smiley who is represented as having been once the proprietor of the said plaintiff while he was held as a slave if yea state in what degree you are related to them?
Int 2 Do you not know or believe that the said John the plaintiff was born in Philadelphia, or near there have you not heard so.
Int 3d Do you not believe the said John to be free: have not heard so? And he never declared he was free to your knowledgehow long have you known him
Int 4th Do you not know or have reason to believe
p. 470
that John was once carried away from some part of Kentucky to prevent his obtaining his freedom? If yea by whom was he then carried away & where
Int 5th Do you know any other matter or thing which you think may be of advantage to the said John in the relevant suit for his freedom? If yea state the same as fully as if you had been thereunto especially interrgd.
Signed Henry Carleton Atty for Pltff
In pursuance to a commission directed from Joshua Long? Judge of the District Court for the first district in the State of Louisiana dated on the 13th day of March in the year 1817 Signed by Martin Gordon as clerk and hereto annexed. I have this day 7th of May 1817 Samuel Smiley being out of the State caused the said Hugh Smiley Roberts & Robert Camp to come before me at my office in Bardstrom and having just sworn them upon the Holy Evangelist The said Hugh Smiley gave for answer to the first interrogatory put by Aft as followithThat he knew a negro man Slave by the name of John formerly owned by Thomas C Roberts of thy place, that Roberts held him as a slave previous to the year 1814. To the Second interrogatorySays he knew that Thomas C Roberts sold the said John to Major Smiley as a slave and that the deponent paid the money for J. Smiley on the 15th of October 1814 and that the said James Smiley took him from this place as a slave to attend his person, soon afterwards to new Orleans, and was there some months and owned him after his return until he let the firm of WH & A Wickliffe & Ths C Roberts have him as a Slave he thinks some time in the Latter part of the year 1815 or the first part of the year 1816.
To the 3d Interrogation
He states that he has known the negro John as a slave from the time he first saw him which deponent thinks was in the year 1813. He always understood and believed him to be a slave, he knows not of his birth
To the last interrogatory. He says nothing more.
To the interrogatories put by plaintiffs counsel
States that he is not interested in the event of said suit that he is not bound to warranty he states that he is a nephew of James Smiley who once owned the Negro, and who is still living but no relation of Thomas Roberts.
To the Second InterrogatoryStates that he does not know or believe that the said John was born in and near Philadelphia nor did he ever hear so
3d InterrogatoryHe answers and says that he does not believe the said John to be free nor that he ever heard sonor did he ever hear that he had any pretension to freedom, until he heard of the suit he has known him since the year 1813.
4th interrogatoryHe states that he never did hear that said John was ever carried away from any part of Kentucky
p. 471
or any where else to prevent him from obtaining his freedom. He says for answer to the 5th Interrogatory he knows of nothing else material to the said John and further says not
Signed Hugh Smiley
The answer of H. C. Roberts to the interrogatories put by the Defendants. He states for and to the 1st:
That knows a negro man slave by the name of John formerly owned by Thomas C. Roberts of Kentucky, he states that since Roberts bought the said negro of a certain Jeremiah Schakerford of Harden County who bought him of Thomas Hebin? And who the deponent believes thought him of Jack Watkins? Of the State of Tennessee during all which time the sd John was bought held and sold as a slave
2d Interrogatory: He answers and says that in the month of March 1814 his brother J.C. Roberts bought the said Negro as a slave and in October 1814 sold him to Major Tos Smiley as a Slave who Took the said John as a waiter to New Orleans in the winter of 1814 & 1815 and brought him back as a slave and owned him until the latter part of the year 1815 or the first part of the year 1816 he has understood L C Smiley sold him to the firm of M. H. & A Wickliffe & Thomas C Roberts of Springfield who sold him as a Slave in the State of Louisiana.
3d InterrogatoryHe states that he did not know him before his brother purchased him. He does not know where he was born, nor does he know anything any thing of his motherHe states that he always believed and still believes the said John to be a slave he has heard he was brought from the State of Tennessee to Kentucky some years ago.
5th InterrogatoryHe states that he knows nothing else material to the cause
To the interrogatories put by plaintiff counsel
To the 1st. That he is not interested in the decisions of the sd suit He is not bound to warrantyhe states that he is a brother of Thomas J Roberts who once owned the slave.
To the 2d Interrogatory. He States that he does not know or believe the said John to be
Freehe does not know that he was born in or near Philadelphia he has never heard so
To the 3d InterrogatoryHe states for answer he states that he does not know or believe that said John is free nor did he ever hear so nor did he ever to my knowledge declare he was free. I have known him since the month of March 1817?
To the 4th InterrogatoryHe states that he does not know nor did he ever hear nor has he reason to believe that the said John was ever carried from the State of Kentucky or any other place to prevent his aperting? His freedom
To the 5th InterrogatoryHe states that he knows nothing else which would be material to the [oops, I cut the bottom of the page off]
p. 472
The answer of Dt. Ben Harrison, who States to the ?? by DeftsStates that he knew the negro boy John when he was the property of Thomas S Roberts that Smiley bought him of Roberts and ? him and took? Him down? To New Orleans as a Waiter he knew him about ?? months, and always considered him to be a slave, he never heard that he was a freeman, he does not know when or where he was born, he knows nothing of his Mother. He is not related? To James Smiley or Thomas C Roberts
He is acquainted with Doctor Watkins of Tennessee ? said to have brought the Negro to this State from his State and Knows him to be a gentleman as far as he is acquainted with him This is all he knows on either side of the Question?
Signed Ben Harrison
The answer of Robert C Camp to the interrogatories of the defendants in the foregoing suit who states in answer to the first interrogatory that he knew a negro man slave by the name of John, who was once the property of Thomas C Roberts of Kentucky that he knew him in the year 1814
To the 2d Int. He States that he knows that Thos C Roberts sold the same Negro to Jas Smiley of Bardstown as a Slave who owned for about one year and deponent understood sold to Thos C Roberts &C of Springfield as a Slave who took him down the river & Sold him.
To the 3d Int. He states that said Smiley & Roberts held said Negro as a slave while deponent was acquainted with said Boy that he always understood him to be a slave & he never heard otherwise he does not know where he was born nor does he know his mother he has understood said John was brought from the State of Tennessee as a Slave & Sold by Dr. Watkins.
To the 4th In the says he knows nothing else
To the Interrogatories by Pltfs Counsel. He states
1st Int: that he is not interested in any he is not related to either Jas Smiley or Roberts
2nd Int: he does not know or believe that said John was born in or near Philadelphia he never heard so
3rd Int: He does not know or believe the said John to be free nor has ever heard him say so, or assert his freedom he states that he has said before how long he knew him.
4th Int. He states that he does not know nor has he any reason to believe he ever was carried away from the State of Kentucky to prevent his obtaining his freedom
To the 5th Int: He states that he knows nothing more material [bottom cut off]
p. 473
I Charles A Wickliff one of the Commissionary with foregoing Commission annexed and herein recited do certify that on the seventh day of the month at my office in Bardstown Nelson County and State of Kentucky. I appointed & ?? the person whose deposition here taken---to be separately examined ?? the Holy evangelist, and that they gave for ?? to [this is very unclear, the rest of this paragraph, but signed Charles A. Wickliff]
Be it remembered that on the nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen and in the forty second year of the independence of the United States, into the district Court of the State of Louisiana in and for the first Judicial district court J & I ? Roman by their Counsel Messrs Porter and DePeyster and filed the following petition on affidavit in the ?? following viz
John Roach In the district Court of the first Judicial district of the State of Louisiana
V
J L Roman
The petition of Josthune? & Lenon Roman the defts in the above last respectfully showeth
That the pltf has instituted the above suit against your petitioners to recover his freedom that upon the filing of the said pltf petition this Honorable Court was pleased to ? the said pltf to be taken into possession of the Sheriff and to be hired? Out pending said suit which has been accordingly done that your petitioners claim the said pltf as their save and hope to be able to establish the fact upon the trial of said cause. But your petitioners are apprehensive & verily do believe from the character and deposition of the said pltf that if left at Large he will run off and yr petitioners be thus deprived of their property. Your petitioners therefore pray that the said pltf may be ordered into the custody of the Sheriff & held in custody till the trial of this suit and that such other things and further relief may be granted in the premises as the nature of their case will admit
Signed Porter & De Peyster
Personally appeared before me I Roman one of the Petitioners above named who being Sworn doth say that the facts above stated are true Signed I Roman
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me this 19 July 1817
Stephen Peauclaux
Dy Clk
It is ordered that the Sheriff take the Slave within mentioned and him safely keep until the further order of the Court
Signed John Long
p. 474
John Roach In the District Court of the first Judicial district of the State of Louisiana
Vs J Roman
The petition of Josthine? & Zena? Roman the Defts in the above suit respectfully represent
That the pltf has misstated? The above suit against your petitioners to recover his freedom that upon the filing of the said pltfs petition the honorable Court was pleased to order the said pltf to be taken into possession of the Sheriff and to be hired out during said suit which has been accordingly [illegible] that your petitioners claim the said pltrf as their Slae and hope to be able to establish the fact upon this trial of said Cause but yr petitioners are apprehensive and verily believe from the character & deposition of said pltf if left at large he will run off and your petitioners be thus deprived of their property.
Your petitioners therefore pray that the said pltf may be ordered into the custody of the sheriff and held in custody till the trial of this suit, and that such other & further relief may be granted in the premises? As the nature of their case may require
Signed Porter & De Peyster
Personally appeared before me S Roman one of the dfts above named who being sworn doth say that the facts above Stated are true
Sworn to & Subscribed Signed S Roman
Before me this 19th July
1817
Signed Stephen Peasclaux
Dy Clk
It is ordered that the Sheriff taken the Slave within mentioned and him safely keep until the further order of this court
Signed Joshua Perry
19th July 1817
Committed the defendant to prison agreeable to the within order
Returned Aug 11th 1817
Signed JH Holland
Depy Sheriff
District Court Wednesday 5th Aug 1817
John Roach f.m. of c.
Vs
J H Holland In motion of Mr Carleton counsel for the pltf upon giving the Court to understand He informs that some important witnesses for his client is about leaving the State
It was thereupon ordered by the Court that a ?? in this case directed to John Nixon esquire to take the Testimony of Witnesses about leaving the State to be ready evidence on the trial giving to the defendant ? of the time and place of taking the testimony
P. 475
State of Louisiana
District Court first Judicial District
To John Nixon Esq Greeting
Know ye that we reposing confidence in your prudence and fidelity do by these presents give unto you authority diligently to examine all witnesses whatever in a certain suit now pending in our district court in which John Roach f.m. of c. is plaintiff and H Holland defendant as well on the part of the said pltf as of the defendant. Therefor we desire you that at certain times and places by you to be appointed for that purpose you cause the said witnesses to come before you, that you then and there examine them apart upon their respective corporal oaths first taken before you upon the Holy Evangelist that you reduce their examination to writing, and when you shall so have taken them that you send the same closed? Up under your hand and seal to us in our district court at the City of New Orleans without delay and have you then & there this writ
Witness Joshua Perry Judge of the said Court this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventeen and in the forty second of the independence of the United States
(Signed) Martin Gordon Clk
I have received regular notice that witnesses in this case will be examined tomorrow before Justice Nixon at eleven oclock. New Orleans 6th August 1817
(Signed) J H Holland
State of Louisiana
City of New Orleans
Agreeable to a dedimine? Potestatum [legal term?] herewith annexed issued from the District Court for the first Judicial District of the State of Louisiana taken the 6th day of August 1817 and directed to me John Nixon Justice of the Peace for the 5th Section of New Orleans to take the testimony in writing of all witnesses that may be produced by the party in a certain suit pending in said Court in which John Roach f.m.c is plaintiff and H Holland is defendant to be read on the trial of the ? case in the said District Court
James Forest being sworn deposeth that he was born in the City of Philadelphia on the 12th day of February forty five years ago or thereabouts, that he has known a black woman in Philadelphia for about Seventeen years named Elizabeth Roach that she is a free woman and has been in the enjoyment of her freedom during the said term of seventeen yearsthat she is a cook woman who by trade sells Sausages pyes and sometimes washes for Sailorsthat he has known since about Seventeen years the sons of the said Elizabeth Roach named James John and William that the said John is now in Jail in this City that he saw him yesterday in the Court house of this City when he was brought before the Court for trial in a suit instituted by him for his freedom That the last time he saw said John Roach, before he saw him some time ago here, was in Philadelphia during the long embargo in the year 1807 or thereabouts that he has known
p. 476
John Roach from the time he was a small Boythat he is certain the person of whom he speaks is the same whom he knew in Philadelphia as the child of Elizabeth Roach that he saw said John Roach for almost every day during a number of yearsthat he distinctly recognized him when he saw him in this town that he knows sd Elizabeth to be free as also her son John that they were both considered so & he never heard any thing to the contrary that said John Roach is a black man about twenty years of age as this deponent believes
Cross examined by Mr Porter
Witness States that he knows no other reason why Elizabeth Roach is free except that she is enjoyment of her freedom & kept a Cook Shop that John was about two years old when he first knew him he was then a little Boy that he used to run about his mothers house to get segars & bring firethat John plays the fiddleand that this deponent is a sailor on board of a vessel bound to the Havannah Hack to New Orleans and that this Deponent expects to return to this place in about Six weeks hence
Sworn to and Subscribed Signed James Forest
Before me this 7th Aug
1817 at New Orleans
(Signed) J Nixon Jus. Of the peace for the 5th Section N. Orleans
Thereupon John Roach a black man was produced & recognized by the deponent to be the same person spoken in the foregoing deposition and the said John Roach has as this deponent now observes for the first time the corner end of his left ear cut off, and marked with the Letters SLR on his left breast
Sworn to & Subscribed before Signed James Forest
Me this 7th Aug. 1817 at New
Orleans
Signed J Nixon Justice of the peace for the 5th Section New Orleans
The examination of James Forrest a witness to be read on the trial of the above case before the District Court for the first Judicial District for the State of Louisiana
Signed J Nixon Justice of the peace 5th Section New Orleans
District Court Thursday 27 Nov. 1817
John Roach fm of C
V This cause came on to day to be tried before the Court
J H Holland
Carlton for Pltf
Porter & De Peyster for defts
Thereupon after aranmt? [arraignment?] the Court gave the following written opinion and ordered the same to be entered on record to wit
I am satisfied from the evidence in this case that the pltf John was born in the City of Philadelphia of a free woman of Color named Elizabeth Roach, and that he is improperly and illegally held in Bondage
Whereupon [illegible]
p. 477
and decreed that he be taken from the power and control of the defendant and restored to his freedom.
Served copy of the within Judgment on JH Holland & J. Hassan? Agent for J & Z Roman ? defendants Dec. 10th 1817
And returned same day
Signed GW Morgan Sheriff
[More details not transcribed but the official transcripts recorded to serve as a certificate on 9 May 1818recorded by Woodson Wren in Natchez on 25 Jany. 1826]
Robert
Manumission of Robert by the executors of David Williams, 1801
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book B
P. 256
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.
Robertson
William Johnson, 38mm, “FN,” barber, $8000 RE, MS, w/Anna, 27mf; William, 14mm; Richard, 12mm; Byron, 11mm; Anna, 8mf; Catherine, 6mf; Eugenia, 5mf; Alice, 3mf; Josephine, 1yr3mosmf; Harriet Battles, 57mf, $2500; William Robertson, 36mm, blacksmith, NY (1850 Natchez census)
Manumission of Isaac Robertson by Elisha Corgill, 1831
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book T
P. 158
In a footnote, Alford says Robertson was “a blacksmith freed through the courts of Mason County, Kentucky,” p. 46.
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50. Isaac
Robertson Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 3
March Term 1832
Isaac Robertson, a free negro man of light complexion about thirty one years of age five feet seven inches high and a blacksmith of trade, having satisfied the court of his good character and honest deportment
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Isaac Robertson he and he is hereby licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled “an act to amend an act entitled an act “to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
Robison/Robinson
William Nicks (Nix)24mm, “FN barber,” MS, w/Henrietta, 22mf, “FN”; James Robison (Robinson?), 12 mm; Josephine, 4 mf; Octavia, 1 mf; Walter Sterns, 35mm, steward; L.S., 35 mf, “fn” (1850 Natchez census)
Romine
Romine, indenture to William Talley, 1805
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book D
Pgs. 95-6
Whereas I Romine a negro man, some time past became bound by Indenture to serve a Certain William Tally for the space of four years nine months of which time has already escaped. I do therein consideration of the said Indenture, bind myself to William Tally minus the balance of the said time. Being three years and three months and the said Indenture is at the expiration of the [illegible] termed time to become void. And I do further agree that the write? Dehomini Repleqiando [legal term which means someone is put into the custody of another] now pending between myself and the said Tally be dismissed Witness my hand and seal this ? day of February 1805
In presence of Romine his
WB Shields Mark
p. 96
I do hereby acknowledge and avow that the above named Negro will be entitled to his freedom after the expiration of the time mentioned in the above instrument of writing witness my hand and seal this thirteenth day of February 1805
In presence of William Tally
1805 12th May received the foregoing Deed in the office of Register Deed of Adams County and ordered to be Recorded
Teste Benj Seamans
Ross
Charlotte Ross1 female 26-44 (1820 Natchez Census)
Sophia, A Yellow Negro Girl, Emancipatedby
George Parkin, 1820
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book M
P. 134
Sophia, A Yellow Negro Girl, Emancipatedby George Parkin, 18 Sep. 1820
“Know all men by these presents that I, George Parkin of Adams County State of Mississippi but being now in the State of Ohio am the rightful owner of a certain yellow coulerd Girl, aged ten years from the said County of Adams Mississippi of a mother whose name was Ellen Ross And being desirous to do an act of Justice and humanity towards the said yellow Girl whose name is Sophia, have manumitted and by these presents do fully and unduly manumit and discharge the said Sophia from my service forever…”(Deed book M, 134). Done in Hamilton County, OHCinci?
Will of George Parkin, 1823
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 1
Pgs. 302-303
302
George Parkin In the name of God Amen, I George Parkin of the City of Natchez and State of Mississippi a naturalized Citizen of the United States of America, being a Native of Old England now of perfect health of body and sound mind and of perfect memory and understanding, considering the frailty of the body the certainty of Death to all mortals and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous of settling all my worldly affairs to be the better prepared to leave this terrestrial world when it shall please God to call me from it, I do therefore make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit
First I commit my soul into the merciful hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried and a decent grave Stone erected at the discretion of my Executors herein after mentioned, and named and after my lawful debts, if any there be and the funeral charges are paid I desire and bequeath as follows I give bequeath and curtail to my Daughter Sophia Ross Parkin called and known by the name of Sophia Ross and to the descendants of her body forever without any power to sell or convey away in any manner either by herself her husband or agent or by or through any means or person or persons whatsoever or whomsoever neither the whole now any part of the real Estate hereby bequeathed to the said Sophia so as to disinherit or dispose the said Sophia or her regular descendants and their descendants, forever as hereditary inheritance all my estate of lands tenements houses & c. together with all the money I may possess at the time of my death or that may be due me from any other person or persons and all sums profits & c arising from or out of any and every part of my estate real and personal on the Continent of America or in the Islands of the Atlantic OceanThe above mentioned Sophia Ross Parkin called Sophia Ross my Heiress, is a girl of Colour a native of Natchez whose Emancipation is recorded in the Court of Natchez and in the Court of Cincinati Ohio upon the records of which two Courts the said Sophias name is written Sophia Ross but is Properly Sophia Ross Parkins For the purpose of causing and effect this my last Will and Testament I ^do hereby constitute and appoint Mr/s. James Carson Jacob Eiler and Nathanial Perkins all of the City of Natchez to be my Executors revoking and annulling all former wills hereby heretofor
303 made by me satisfying and confirming this and none other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three
Signed Sealed Published and
Delivered by the Testator to be
his last Will and Testament in George Parkin
presence of us and Witnessed by us
in the presence of each other
Henry W Abrams
P P Schuyler
John W Menn
Rossett/Russett
Adelade Russett1 female 45+ (1820 Natchez Census)
Francis Rosset to Adelaide, 1802
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book K
P. 178
Francis Rosset to Adelaide Manumission
Know all men by these presents that I Francis Rosset formerly of Port au Prince in the Island of Hispaniola, but now of the City of Philadelphia, Having at the said Island in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety six, manumitted and emancipated from slavery my negro girl Adelaide now aged about twenty one or twenty two years. And she by having some accident lost or mislaid the said manumission. I do by these presents herby again confirm the said act, Renouncing all claims of slavery or service from the said negress Adelaide so that from me she shall be free to all intents & purposes whatsoever. Dated at Philadelphia this 28th October 1802.
F. Rosset Seal
Adelaide Rossett Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 16
March Term 1832
Adelaide Rossett a free woman of Black complexion about forty eight years of age five feet three inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Adelaide Rossett be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
Rox Ann
Manumission of Rox Ann by William T. Reid, 1834
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book V
Pgs. 63-5
Notes that she is 22-25
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.