Browse Items (15 total)

  • Collection: Slaveholders: Letters, Sale Receipts, and Related Documents

Receipt issued to Jacob Van Dike related to Harry, a Black man carried away by followers of the British army

1782-06-17
Dunn, James

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Receipt issued to Jacob Van Dike and signed by James Dunn, Joseph Thickstun, David Dunham. For a transcript of this document and additional information about Harry, Jacob Van Dike, and the other people involved, see the New Jersey Slavery Records…

Letter to his father Col. Johannes Hardenbergh

1777-12-06
Hardenbergh, Jacob Rutsen

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Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh (1736-1790) mentions an enslaved man in a letter to his father Col. Johannes Hardenbergh (1706-1786).

Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh was one of the chief founders of Queen's College (later Rutgers) and served as the school's…

Letter to Robert Finley regarding the sale of an enslaved man named Jef

1794-02-25
Neilson, John

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Colonel John Neilson (1745-1833) writes to Robert Finley asking him about the possible purchase of an enslaved man owned by a Mr. Mattison in Princeton for the price of 90 pounds. Neilson inquires about the skills and habits of the enslaved…

Letter in reply to John Neilson regarding the sale of an enslaved man named Jef

1794-02-27
Finley, Robert

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A letter detailing Robert Finley's account of speaking with Samuel Snowden and Mr. Mattison about an enslaved man named Jef. The letter mainly details Jef's personal qualities and skills, as Neilson wishes to purchase Jef but has no prior account of…

Receipt to John Neilson for the sale of a black girl Dine

1815-04-17
Clark, Hannah

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John Neilson served as an administrator for the estate of Rev. Joseph Clark after he died. This receipt shows that Neilson sold an enslaved woman named Dine to George Farmer for $75 on behalf of Clark’s estate.

George Farmer owned a large estate…

Receipt to John Neilson for the sale of a black girl Grace

1814-08-04
Clark, Margaret

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John Neilson served as an administrator for the estate of Rev. Joseph Clark after he died. This receipt shows that Neilson sold an enslaved woman named Grace to a Mr. Linn for $150 on behalf of Clark’s estate.

Bill of sale for Mark, aged 25, to James Neilson for $200

1816-10-15
Taylor, Benjamin

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Benjamin Taylor sells an enslaved man named Mark to James Neilson (1784-1862) for $200 on October 15, 1816. Mark is approximately 25 years old. Neilson promises to manumit Mark on March 12, 1821.

Bill of sale for Mark for $20 until he turns 25

1838-12-16
Neilson, James

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James Neilson (1784-1862) sells a black man named Mark to Abraham Veghte for a term of five years for $20. Mark is a 20-year-old slave for a term, and he will serve his new master until he reaches age 25 in the year 1843. Mark will then attain the…

Receipt to James Neilson for the purchase of Elizabeth

1815-01-23
Van Arsdalen, Abraham

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Receipt issued to James Neilson (1784-1862) for a purchase of an enslaved woman named Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was previously enslaved by John Powers. The receipt indicates that Elizabeth was sold because John Powers was in debt to Staats Van Deursen…

Bill of Sale for Prince, to John Neilson

1815-05-25
Vermeule, Cornelius C.

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Cornelius C. Vermeule sold an enslaved man named Prince to John Neilson for a term of four years, three month, and six days for $150.

Certification of Tony’s consent to be sold to John Neilson for 5 years

1798-04-24
Phillips, Elijah

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Elijah Phillips, a judge of the Middlesex County Court of Common Pleas, certifies that an enslaved man named Tony consents to be sold to John Neilson.

Bill of sale for Tony

1798-04-24
Read, Thomas

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Thomas Read and Moses Scott (on behalf of Archibold Read) sold a man named Tony to John Neilson for $100.

Bill of Sale for Teunis, to James Neilson

1814-04-20
Baldwin, Joseph

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Joseph Baldwin sold a 26 year old man named Teunis to James Neilson for $175.

Bill of sale for Flora, Phillis, and Ann, sold to John Neilson

1787-01-31
Bleecker, Anthony L.

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Anthony L. Bleecker sells to John Neilson an enslaved woman named Flora and her two female children Phillis and Ann for 120 New York pounds.

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

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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…