Browse Items (616 total)

Run away from Philip Livingston [unnamed African man]

1752-11-06
Livingston, Philip

Philip Livingson Runaway ad for unnamed African man.jpg
Slaveholder and slave trader Philip Livingston offers a reward of three dollars for the capture of an African man who escaped from Livingston in New York City. The man does not speak any Dutch or English, suggesting that he was only recently brought…

Run away...Nell, who formerly belonged to Robert J. Livingston

1753-04-23
Kingsland, Isaac

A black woman named Nell ran away from slaveholder Isaac Kingsland in Bergen County. Her master's ad mentions that Nell formerly belonged to Robert J. Livingston, a New York merchant. Isaac Kingsland describes the clothing Nell wore and took with her…

FOR SALE By the subscriber, a Negro wench

1801-03-27
Hardenbergh, Jacob Rutsen

Guardian 1801-03-27 p4 For Sale...Negro wench...Jacob R. Hardenbergh (5213).jpg
Jacob R. Hardenberg (Queen's College trustee and son of the college's first president) advertises a 35-year-old black woman for sale in Somerville. The ad was first issued on December 16, 1800, and ran for at least 3 months until March 1801 in…

Removal of Dinah to Louisiana, sold by slaveholder William Van Deursen to Jacob Klady

1817-08-30
Middlesex County Clerk

Removal record for Dinah by William Van Deursen.jpg
This is a record of Dinah's removal from the state of New Jersey to Louisiana. Dinah was a young woman enslaved to Dr. William Van Deursen (Queen’s College alumnus 1809, trustee 1823-1873, and brother to Queen’s College Treasurer Staats Van Deursen).…

Record of payment to Jacob Dunham, $5.06 for labor of his negro on the foundation (Old Queens Building construction, entry 15)

1808-09-28
Blauvelt, Abraham

Blauvelt-Account-Book-1R-Dunham-payment15.jpg
On September 28, 1808, Abraham Blauvelt recorded a payment for $5.60 to Jacob Dunham “for labor of his negro.” This payment was for "foundation" work.

This is entry number 15 on page 1 of Blauvelt's account book. Blauvelt was the chairman of the…

Watercolor of Rutgers College

1850s
Doolittle, Theodore Sanford

Watercolor of Rutgers College by Theodore Doolittle ID 7 940x570.jpg
Watercolor of Rutgers College, painted by Doolittle while a student (late 1850s).

Account of William Jones (record of Will's labor)

1817-08
Dunham, Jacob

Dunham account book 47.jpg
Jacob Dunham's account book shows that Dunham hired out his enslaved man named Will to William Jones. Will worked for William Jones between August 4 and 13, 1817. This included work as "tending mason" with Mr. Chapman on August 5, 1817. William Jones…

Ten Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Will]

1792-10-17
Fleming, James

Fleming 1792 Ten Dollars Reward.jpg
Will, an enslaved black man, aged 28 years, ran away from Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, NJ. His master James Fleming offers a reward of 10 dollars for his capture.

Sixteen Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Minn]

1792-11-07
Abel, Jacob

Abel 1792 Sixteen Dollars Reward.jpg
Minn, a 30-year-old black man, ran away from his master Jacob Abel of Easton (Northampton County, Pennsylvania) on October 15, 1792. Minn may have gone to his father's home in Trenton. Jacob Abel posts a reward of $16 for Minn's capture in the…

Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals (Manumission of Slaves, 1800-1825)


Middlesex County Clerk

Bound manuscript volume containing copies of legal documents pertaining to slaves in Middlesex County for the period 1800–1825. Legal and historical records often refer to this volume as the "Book of Manumissions." However, only 75% of the records…

Middlesex County Records, 1688-1929


Middlesex County (N.J.)

This collection contains county records of births, manumissions, and removals of enslaved individuals from the state of New Jersey, among other county records. See volumes X and XI for records pertaining to enslaved individuals in the first half of…

Eight Dollars Reward [runaway ad for William Wilson, Indian apprentice]

1794-06-18
Pearson, Job

1794-06-18 Eight Dollars Reward.jpg
William Wilson, an Indian apprentice, ran away from his master Job Pearson in Trenton. His master offers eight dollars reward for Wilson's capture. Wilson was seen passing through New Brunswick on his way to New York.

TO BE SOLD, The TIME of a NEGRO BOY

1792-11-14

1792-11-14 To be sold time of a negro boy.jpg
A slaveholder in Trenton seeks to sell a 15-year-old black boy in a private sale. The boy is supposed to be manumitted at age 30 and has approximately 15 years left to serve. The slaveholder is not named in the ad, and the prospective buyers are…

SIXTEEN DOLLARS REWARD [runaway ad for Stephen]

1793-05-22
Wescoat, Richard

1793-05-22 Sixteen dollars reward.jpg
Stephen, a 20-year-old enslaved man, ran away from his master Richard Wescoat, of Great Egg-Harbour, Gloucester County, in May of 1793. Richard Wescoat describes Stephen as a "mulatto slave" and offers a reward of $16 for Stephen's capture.

STOP THE RUNAWAY! [Will Rigg]

1793-01-23
Dunant, Edward

1793-01-23 Stop the runaway.jpg
Will Rigg, an indented black man, ran away from his master Edward Dunant of Philadelphia on January 12, 1793. In the following week, Will Rigg has been seen at Trenton, Princeton, and Flemington, where he is well known to residents. Edward Dunant…

TO BE SOLD, A healthy young NEGRO WENCH and her MALE CHILD

1793-01-23
Tindall, William

1793-01-23 To be sold.jpg
William Tindall of Trenton seeks to sell a young black woman and her son. He also offers to sell a 3-year-old black girl until she is approximately 15 years old. It is unclear whether the girl should become free or return to Tindall's household as a…

Three Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Hannah and her daughter Peggy]

1794-06-18
Law, James

1794-06-18 Three Dollars Reward.jpg
Hannah an enslaved black woman, aged 22, ran away with her 2-year-old daughter Peggy and took a large bundle of clothing. Her master James Law (from Delaware Works) offered a 3 dollar reward for Hannah's capture.

Delaware Works was a mill property…

Birth record for Katy or Catharine, daughter of Hannah, reported by slaveholder Abraham Dunham

1805-04-04
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 01 Abraham Dunham.jpg
Slaveholder Abraham Dunham reports that Hannah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Katy or Catharine on November 27, 1804. For more about Abraham Dunham (1750-1826) and the many people that he enslaved, see our New Jersey Slavery Records…

Birth record for Aaron, reported by slaveholder Elijah Voorhies

1805-12-11
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 13 Elijah Voorhies.jpg
Slaveholder Elijah Voorhies reports that an enslaved woman in his household gave birth to a boy named Aaron on March 19, 1805. The name of the mother is not mentioned in the record.

Birth record for Sal, daughter of Florough, reported by slaveholder Matthew Van Dike

1806-05-17
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 19 Matthew Van Dike.jpg
Slaveholder Matthew Van Dike reports that an enslaved woman named Florough gave birth of a girl named Sal on December 8th, 1805.

Birth record for Mark, son of Ambo and Mark, reported by slaveholder John Neilson

1820-05-03
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 65 John Neilson - Mark.jpg
Slaveholder John Nielson reports that an enslaved woman named Ambo gave birth to son Mark on July 27, 1818. Mark's father is Mark, Ambo's husband. [Per New Jersey law, Mark became a slave for a term until he reached 25 years of age in the year 1843.…

Birth record for Jane, Emeline, and Peter, children of Susan, reported by slaveholder Jacob Dunham

1828-10-29
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 78 Jacob Dunham - Jane Emeline Peter.jpg
Slaveholder Jacob Dunham reports that between 1810 and 1818 an enslaved woman named Susan gave birth to three children Jane, Emeline, and Peter.

Birth record for Ann, daughter of Ambo and Mark, reported by slaveholder John Neilson

1820-05-03
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 65 John Neilson - Ann.jpg
Slaveholder John Nielson reports that an enslaved woman named Ambo gave birth to daughter Ann on June 23, 1814. Ann's father is Mark, Ambo's husband.

Birth record for Eliza, daughter of Ambo and Mark, reported by slaveholder John Neilson

1820-05-03
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 65 John Neilson - Eliza.jpg
Slaveholder John Nielson reports that an enslaved woman named Ambo gave birth to daughter Eliza on July 2, 1816. Eliza's father is Mark, Ambo's husband.

Birth record for Democrat, son of Hanna, reported by slaveholder Jacob Van Dike

1812-03-13
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 47 Jacob Van Dike (1).jpg
Slaveholder Jacob Van Dike reports that Hanna, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Democrat on March 7, 1812.

Birth record for James, son of Nanny, reported by slaveholder James Parker

1811-05-10
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 45 James Parker.jpg
Slaveholder James Parker reports that Nanny, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son James on November 4, 1810.

Birth record for Peter, son of Hannah, reported by slaveholder Abraham Blauvelt

1813-03-01
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 51 Abraham Blauvelt (1).jpg
Slaveholder Abraham Blauvelt (Queen's College alum 1789 and long-time trustee) reports that Hannah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Peter on January 29, 1812.

Birth record for Bob, son of Abb, reported by slaveholder Matthias Vanderveer

1808-06-06
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 30 Matthias Vanderveer.jpg
Slaveholder Matthias Vanderveer reports that Abb, an enslaved woman, gave birth to a son Bob on March 26, 1807.

Birth record for Quash, son of Teen, reported by slaveholder Reuliff Voorhees

1808-10-11
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 31 Reuliff Voorhees.jpg
Slaveholder Reuliff Voorhees, reports that Teen, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Quash.

Birth record for Joseph, son of Nanny, reported by slaveholder James Parker

1808-08-20
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 31 James Parker.jpg
Slaveholder James Parker reports that an enslaved woman named Nanny gave birth to son Joseph on January 16, 1808.

FOR SALE, Or to be exchanged for a black Girl, A NEGRO BOY

1814-01-20

Fredonian 1814-01-20 p1 For sale, or to be exchanged for a black Girl, a Negro Boy.jpg
A slaveholder around New Brunswick seeks to sell an 8-year-old black boy in a private sale or to exchange the boy for a black girl. The slaveholder is not named in the ad, and the prospective buyers are asked to apply to the printers of the Fredonian…

For Sale, A NEGRO GIRL

1816-08-08
Slack, Elijah

1816-08-08 For Sale, A NEGRO GIRL.jpg
Elijah Slack of Princeton advertises a young black woman for sale in a New Brunswick newspaper. The woman is 19 years old and is a slave for life. Prospective buyers are instructed to contact John N. Simpson of New Brunswick for more information.

For Sale, A NEGRO BOY

1825-03-02
Davison, John R.

1825-03-02 For Sale, A NEGRO BOY.jpg
John R. Davison of Millstone seeks to sell a black boy. The boy is 16 years old. Davison seeks a quick sale and promises a low price for the boy.

FOR SALE. A BLACK GIRL

1816-08-08

1816-08-08 FOR SALE. A BLACK GIRL.jpg
A slaveholder around New Brunswick seeks to sell a 16-year-old black girl in a private sale. The slaveholder is not named in the ad, and the prospective buyers are asked to apply to the printers of the Fredonian newspaper for more information.

FOR SALE, A HEALTHY ACTIVE, Black Boy

1819-06-10

1819-06-10 FOR SALE, A HEALTHY ACTIVE, Black Boy.jpg
A slaveholder around New Brunswick seeks to sell a 17-year-old black boy in a private sale. The boy has skills in farming. The slaveholder is not named in the ad, and the prospective buyers are asked to apply to the printers of the Fredonian…

For Sale, A Pair of Mules, Waggon, & Wood-Sled. Likewise, A BLACK MAN

1822-01-03

1822-01-03 For Sale, A Pair of Mules, Waggon, & Wood-Sled. Likewise, A BLACK MAN.jpg
A slaveholder around New Brunswick advertises the sale of a black man alongside a pair of mules, wagon, and wood-sled. The slaveholder is not named in the ad, and the prospective buyers are asked to apply to the printers of the Fredonian newspaper…

For Sale or Rent. THAT capital stand for business... also... A Negro Man

1822-02-28
Schureman, James

1822-02-28 For Sale or Rent. James Schureman.jpg
James Schureman (Queen's College alum 1775 and trustee 1782-1824) offers to sell an enslaved man at a discounted price. The enslaved man belongs to the estate of the late James Bennet. Schureman also offers several real estate properties for sale or…

FOR SALE, A BLACK MAN, Slave for life

1822-04-18
Mundy, Michael

1822-04-18 For Sale a Black Man.jpg
Michael Mundy of Piscataway seeks to sell a black man in a private sale. The man is 33 years old and is skilled in farming.

Birth record for Maria, daughter of Charlotte, reported by slaveholder Ann Parker

1814-06-18
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 53 Ann Parker - Maria.jpg
Slaveholder Ann Parker reports that an enslaved woman named Charlotte gave birth to daughter Maria on July 5, 1812.

$20 REWARD [runaway ad for Peter Cuff]

1824-11-24
Field, Benjamin

1824-11-24 20 reward (Peter Cuff).jpg
Peter Cuff, a black man, ran away from his master Benjamin Field in April 1824. In June, the slaveholder posted a reward of $20 for Peter Cuff's return. As of November 24, 1824, the Fredonian newspaper in New Brunswick continued to run the runaway…

Notice [pickup notice for Tom and Frank]

1825-10-26
Bonnington, Joseph

1825-10-26 Notice.jpg
Two black men, Tom and Frank, were captured as suspected runaways on October 10, 1825, and confined to the Perth Amboy jail.

Seventy Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Dick and John]

1822-10-24
Woodmansee, Daniel

1822-10-24 Seventy Dollars Reward.jpg
Dick, a 16-year-old enslaved boy, left the house of his master Daniel Woodmansee, near Princeton, on September 1, 1822. Woodmansee posts a notice that Dick was "stolen away" by a man named John. The notice describes Dick as a "mulatto boy" and John…

Six Cents Reward [runaway ad for apprentice Samuel Myers]

1822-11-14
Conover, William

1822-11-14 Six Cents Reward.jpg
An apprentice named Samuel Myers, aged 19, ran away from his master William Conover at Raritan Landing on November 2, 1822.

Twenty Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Elsy Murray]

1818-05-14
Bogart, Peter

1818-05-14 Twenty Dollars Reward (Elsy Murray).jpg
Elsy Murray, a 20-year-old black woman, ran away from slaveholder Peter Bogart in Princeton on February 13, 1818. Elsy Murray could read well and had a pass for 2 days. She had a brother near Piscataway, and the slaveholder supposed that someone…

NOTICE [runaway ad and sale proposition for Betty]

1824-06-24
Day, Amos

1824-06-24 Notice (Betty).jpg
A black woman named Betty ran away from the house of her master Amos Day at Connecticut Farms in Union County. The slaveholder did not offer a reward for Betty's return, but warned his neighbors not to harbor or employ her. Despite Betty's absence,…

Notice [runaway ad and warning not to extend credit for Betty]

1823-07-15
Day, Amos

1823-07-15 Notice is hereby given.jpg
A black woman named Betty ran away from the house of her master Amos Day. The slaveholder does not offer a reward for Betty's return, but notifies his neighbors not to extend credit to Betty on his account as he does not intend to pay Betty's debts.…

TAKEN UP [pickup notice for John]

1799-12-31
Drake, Henry

1799-12-31 TAKEN UP ((Trenton) New Jersey State Gazette.jpg
John, a 16-year-old black boy, was captured and held at the state penitentiary in Trenton in December of 1799 as a runaway. Henry Drake, the marshall of the prison, posts a pickup notice about John's capture and requests John's master to pick him up…

Ten Dollars Reward [runaway ad for unnamed man]

1798-05-24
Trimmer, John

1798-05-24 Ten Dollars Reward (Genius of Liberty).jpg
Slaveholder John Trimmer issues a notice that an enslaved man ran away from him on April 22, 1798, in Dutch Valley (present-day Long Valley area, Morris County). Trimmer describes the fugitive as a "mulatto man" but does not mention his name. Trimmer…

Thirty Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Tom]

1799-12-10
Throckmorton, William

1799-12-10 Thirty Dollars Reward.jpg
Tom, a black man, ran away from slaveholder William Throckmorton in South Amboy on August 25, 1799. Tom is about 25 years old. His master offers a reward of 30 dollars for Tom's return and notes that Tom was seen on the road to Trenton, possibly on…

Twenty Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Cornelius Sinco aka Cornelius Bloomfield]

1816-02-08
Crow, Benjamin

1816-02-08 Twenty Dollars Reward.jpg
Cornelius Sinco, alias Cornelius Bloomfield, a black indented apprentice aged 19, ran away from his master Benjamin Crow in Woodbridge on October 15, 1815. His master offers a reward of $20 for Cornelius's return or confinement in the New Brunswick…

Ten Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Lenor Dunnam]

1802-01-19
Brown, David

1802-01-19 Ten Dollars Reward.jpg
Lenor Dunnam, a black woman aged 22, ran away from slaveholder David Brown in Gloucester County on November 14, 1801. The slaveholder offers a reward of $10 for her capture. This notice was published recurrently in the Trenton Federalist newspaper at…

Eight Dollars Reward [jailbreak notice for Jack]

1802-01-19
Wrighter, David

1802-01-19 Eight Dollars Reward.jpg
On January 2, 1802, Jack, an enslaved black man, escaped from the jail in Trenton where he was held on charges of theft from his master Amos Moore. Jack was about 20 years old. Jail keeper David Wrighter offers a reward of $8 for Jack's return.

Fifty Dollars Reward [runaway ad for Elisha]

1816-02-08
Farmer, George

1816-02-08 Fifty Dollars Reward.jpg
Elisha, a black man, ran away from slaveholder George Farmer on January 27, 1816. Elisha was 21 years old. George Farmer had purchased Elisha on September 9, 1815, from John Tucker of Rahway, while Elisha was in jail. George Farmer offers a reward of…

Birth record for Nicholas, son of Dinah, reported by slaveholder James DeHart

1809-08-12
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 35 James De Hart.jpg
Slaveholder James DeHart reports that Dinah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Nicholas on March 22, 1808.

Birth record for Rachel, daughter of Hanna, reported by slaveholder Jacob Van Dike

1805-04-11
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 02 Jacob Van Dike.jpg
Slaveholder Jacob Van Dike reports that Hanna, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Rachel on October 16, 1804. For more about Jacob Van Dike (1754-1827) and the people that he enslaved, see our New Jersey Slavery Records database.

Birth record for Dinah, daughter of Rose, reported by slaveholder George Farmer

1805-08-12
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 05 George Farmer.jpg
Slaveholder George Farmer reports that Rose, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Dinah on January 30, 1805.

Birth record for Phebe-Gertruda, daughter of Nancy, reported by Gertrude Parker for the estate of James Parker Sr.

1805-10-05
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 08 James Parker estate.jpg
Gertrude Parker, Executrix for the estate of James Parker, reports that an enslaved woman named Nancy gave birth to daughter Phebe-Gertruda on April 27th, 1805.

Birth record for Deyaun, reported by Jacob Vandevanter

1807-05-20
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 22 Jacob Vandevanter.jpg
Slaveholder Jacob Vandevanter Sr. reports that an enslaved female child named Deyaun was born in his household on September 4, 1806. The mother's name is not listed in this record.

Birth record for Martha, daughter of Susan, reported by slaveholder Michael Garrish

1806-02-04
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 16 Michael Garrish.jpg
Slaveholder Michael Garrish reports that Susan, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Martha on December 27, 1805.

Birth record for Sarah Ann, daughter of Hannah, reported by slaveholder Elizabeth Vandeventer

1809-03-28
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 32 Elizabeth Vandeventer - Sarah Ann.jpg
Slaveholder Elizabeth Vandeventer, reports that Hannah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Sarah Ann on May 17, 1808.

(Hannah gave birth to two daughters on May 17, 1808. See related birth record for Sarah Ann.)

Birth record for Julia Ann, daughter of Hannah, reported by slaveholder Elizabeth Vandeventer

1809-03-28
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 32 Elizabeth Vandeventer - Julia Ann.jpg
Slaveholder Elizabeth Vandeventer, reports that Hannah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Julia Ann on May 17, 1808.

(Hannah gave birth to two daughters on May 17, 1808. See related birth record for Sarah Ann.)

Birth record for Clara, daughter of Ambo, reported by slaveholder John Neilson

1812-12-19
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 50 John Neilson.jpg
Slaveholder John Neilson reports that an enslaved woman named Ambo gave birth to daughter Clara on September 14, 1812.

Birth record for Charles, son of Peg, reported by slaveholder Matthew Van Dike

1820-02-01
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 65 Matthew Van Dike.jpg
Slaveholder Matthew Van Dike reports that Peg, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Charles on December 14, 1819.

Birth record for Peter, son of Sarah, reported by slaveholder Dinah Voorhees

1819-04-22
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 64 Dinah Voorhees.jpg
Slaveholder Dinah Voorhees reports that Sarah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Peter on February 15, 1818.

Birth record for Phillis, daughter of Patty, reported by slaveholder James Schureman

1807-07-29
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 23 James Schureman.jpg
Slaveholder James Schureman reports that Patty, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Phillis on May 1, 1807.

Birth record for Bristor, son of Hanna, reported by slaveholder Jacob Van Dike

1807-08-18
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 24 Jacob Van Dike.jpg
Jacob Van Dike reports that Hanna, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Bristor on January 22, 1807.

Birth record for James and Hoace, sons of Susan, reported by slaveholder John Smalley

1829-03-16
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 78 John Smalley - James Hoace.jpg
Slaveholder James Smalley reports that Susan, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son James on September 5, 1814, and son Hoace on March 27th, 1818.

Birth record for Harry, son of Hannah, reported by slaveholder Robert Boggs

1829-02-06
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 79 Robert Boggs.jpg
Slaveholder Robert Boggs reports that Hannah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to son Harry in North Branch, Somerset County, on February 20, 1826. Robert Boggs states that he recently purchased Hannah and Harry from their previous owner Abraham Dumont,…

Birth record for Ellen, daughter of Caty, reported by slaveholder Mary Deare

1812-12-09
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 50 Mary Deare.jpg
Slaveholder Mary Deare reports that Caty, an enslaved woman, gave birth to daughter Ellen in March 1812. The precise date of birth is omitted from the record; only the month has been recorded by the clerk.

Birth record for Charles, son of Charlotte, reported by slaveholder Ann Parker

1814-06-18
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 53 Ann Parker - Charles.jpg
Slaveholder Ann Parker reports that an enslaved woman named Charlotte gave birth to son Charles on March 7, 1810.

Birth record for Catherine, James, Lucy, Sophia, and Sarah, children of Phebe, reported by slaveholder Michael Garrish

1829-11-05
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 80 Michael Garrish.jpg
Slaveholder Michael Garrish reports that Phebe, an enslaved woman, gave birth to five children between the years 1817 and 1829: Catherine (12-09-1817), James (09-01-1819), Lucy (04-28-1822), Sophia (07-18-1824), and Sarah (07-06-1829).

Birth record of Peter, William, and Lewis, sons of Sarah Higgins, reported by slaveholder Garret Voorhees

1823-09-10
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 72 Garret Voorhees.jpg
Slaveholder Garret Voorhees reports that Sarah Higgins, an enslaved women, gave birth to three sons between 1821 and 1823: Peter (01-21-1821), William (03-23-1822), and Lewis (07-14-1823).

Birth record for Cato Edgar and Martin King, sons of Dihan, reported for the estate of slaveholder John Smalley

1830-02-06
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 80 John Smalley (1).jpg
Executors of the estate of slaveholder John Smalley report that Dinah, an enslaved woman, gave birth to sons Cato Edgar (on October 25, 1825) and Martin King (on July 24, 1829).

Birth record for Sally, Anthony, Albert, and George, children of Martha, reported by slaveholder Henry Van Dike

1822-01-17

Middlesex County Clerk

Births 67 Henry Van Dike.jpg
Slaveholder Henry Van Dike [or Henry Van Dyke] reports that Martha, an enslaved woman, gave birth to four children: daughter Sally (09-12-1815), and sons Anthony (10-28-1816), Albert (11-01-1818), and George (08-12-1821).

Birth record for Alfred, Rose, Silvester, and Heman, children of Amy, reported by slaveholder John Van Dike

1829-08-11
Middlesex County Clerk

Births 80 John Van Dike.jpg
Slaveholder John Van Dike reports that Amy, an enslaved woman, gave birth to four children: Alfred (born July 19, 1823), Rose (born September 17, 1825), Silvester (born June 7, 1827), and Heman (born January 22, 1829).

Permission slip for Mark Harris to join the African Association

1817-01-21
Neilson, James

SCUA-AANB-permissionMarkHarris.jpg
Slaveholder James Neilson (1784-1862) gives permission to Mark Harris, an enslaved man, to join the African Association on January 21, 1817. [Mark was first sold to James Neilson on October 15, 1816. Mark was married to Ambo, a woman who was enslaved…

Receipt issued to Colonel John Neilson recording the sale of an enslaved black man who was taken from the enemy in war

1777-11-30
Bullman, Thomas

Neilson B2 F4A Bullman receipt front.jpg
In this Revolutionary War era document, Thomas Bullman records that he received 55 pounds from Colonel John Neilson (1745-1833) for the sale of an enslaved black man. The name of this black man is not recorded here, but the receipt mentions that the…

Permission slip for Phillis to join the African Association

1820-01-01
Neilson, John

SCUA-AANB-permissionPhillis.jpg
Slaveholder John Neilson (1745-1833) gives permission to Phillis, an enslaved woman, to join the African Association on January 1, 1820.

Permission slip for Cato to join the African Association

1817-03-01
Beach, Abraham

SCUA-AANB-permissionCato.jpg
Reverend Abraham Beach (1740-1828) gives permission to Cato to join the African Association of New Brunswick on March 1, 1817.

Manumission of Abraham Glasgow by slaveholder Andrew Kirkpatrick

1809-05-01
Middlesex County Clerk

Manumission Book page 083 Abraham Glasgow certificate.jpg
Slaveholder Andrew Kirkpatrick manumitted a man named Abraham Glasgow on May 1, 1809. Kirkpatrick and Glasgow appeared in court on April 29, 1809. The county officials examined Abraham Glasgow’s certificate of baptism to confirm that he was between…

Manumission of Sarah by slaveholder Andrew Kirkpatrick

1802-07-03
Middlesex County Clerk

Manumission Book page 035 Sarah.jpg
Slaveholder Andrew Kirkpatrick manumitted a woman named Sarah on July 3, 1802. Sarah was between 21 and 40 years old, and her exact age was not recorded by the court. The Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals contains one record related…

Permission slip for Harry to join the African Association

1819-01-09
Staats, Abraham

SCUA-AANB-permissionHarry.jpg
Slaveholder Abraham Staats (1743-1821) gives permission to Harry, an enslaved man, to join the African Association of New Brunswick on January 9, 1819. [Harry is listed as a member in the African Association of New Brunswick Minute Book under the…

Manumission of John Annin (alias Jack) by slaveholder James Parker

1822-08-08
Middlesex County Clerk

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Slaveholder James Parker of Perth Amboy manumitted 25-year-old man John Annin (known as Jack) on August 8, 1822. In his Deed of Manumission, James Parker stated that he had purchased John Annin in 1807 from his former owner Joseph Annin of Somerset…

Removal of Phillis and her son Charles to Louisiana by slaveholder Nicholas Van Wickle

1818-04-22
Middlesex County Clerk

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Phillis and her son Charles were among the victims of the slave-trading ring operated by Middlesex County judge Jacob Van Wickle. This document is a record of the removal of Phillis (aged 25) and Charles (aged one and a half years) from the state of…

Permission slip for Samuel Lane to join the African Association

1817-01-15
Kirkpatrick, Andrew

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Slaveholder Andrew Kirkpatrick (1756-1831) gives permission to Sam, an enslaved man, to join the African Association of New Brunswick on January 15, 1817.

[The man Sam mentioned here is Samuel Lane, who was manumitted by Andrew Kirkpatrick in…

Manumission of Charlotte by slaveholder Ann Parker

1817-03-21
Middlesex County Clerk

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Slaveholder Ann Parker of North Brunswick manumitted a 35-year-old woman named Charlotte on March 21, 1817. The Middlesex County Book of Manumissions and Removals contains two records related to Charlotte's manumission. The Certificate of Manumission…

Portrait of Henry Rutgers (1745-1830)

1867
Crehen, Charles G.

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Lithograph portrait of Henry Rutgers by artist Charles G. Crehen. Copy from an oil painting by Henry Inman. Henry Rutgers sat for the portrait with Inman around 1828, when Rutgers was approximately 83 years old. Crehen drew his lithograph from…

Portrait of John Neilson (1745-1833)

1881
Rosenthal, Albert

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Etching of John Neilson by Albert Rosenthal. Rosenthal copied Neilson’s portrait from a painting in the possession of the family. The print pictured here was issued in Philadelphia in 1881.

Portrait of William Livingston (1723-1790)


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Portrait of William Livingston, first governor of New Jersey after the American Revolution, and namesake of Livingston Campus. Engraving from an original portrait in the possession of the family.

Livingston College Center


Rutgers University

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Color photograph of the Livingston Student Center on Livingston Campus at Rutgers University.

Portrait of Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh (1736–1790)


Stevenson, Gordon

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Portrait of Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh (1736-1790), one of the chief founders of Queen's College (now Rutgers University) and the school's first president. This digital image is a photograph of the original oil painting.

Minutes of the Common Council for March 5, 1824

1824-03-05
New Brunswick (N.J.). Common Council

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On March 5, 1824, the New Brunswick Common Council adopted a resolution establishing a curfew for "negros or blacks" on Saturday nights at 10 PM. The Common Council empowered the Committee in relation to Paupers, Vagrants and Free Negros to detain…

Portrait of John Henry Livingston (1746-1825)

1800

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Portrait of John Henry Livingston (1746-1825), who served as the fourth president of Queen's College from 1810 to 1825, by an unidentified American artist.

Cabinet card of Sojourner Truth

1864
Truth, Sojourner

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Sojourner Truth cabinet card depicting Sojourner Truth seated, wearing a dark dress and a white shawl and cap. Her right arm is folded at the waist, her left arm is resting on a small table. She holds knitting in her left hand. On the table are a…

A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, As related by Himself

1772
Gronniosaw, James Albert Ukawsaw

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Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, alias James Albert, was a formerly enslaved man who wrote and published his autobiography in England in 1772. In his autobiography, he describes how he was captured in Africa, brought to the Caribbean and then to New York, and…

Neilson Dining Hall

2009-04-16
Rutgers University

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Photograph of James Neilson Dining Hall

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Colonel John Neilson Statue

2019-09-04
Rutgers University

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Statue of Colonel John Neilson in Monument Square in New Brunswick, NJ

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Sojourner Truth Apartments photograph


Rutgers University

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Color photograph of the Sojourner Truth Apartments, opened in 2016 and located at the corner of College Avenue and Hamilton Street on the College Avenue Campus.