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Handwritten manumission document for thirteen enslaved persons

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John Berry, American

Description

A single folded sheet, handwritten manumission document.On one side, the document reads "This is to certify that I John Berry of the Territory of Arkansas and the county of Hempstead by these presents do emancipate and set free at my death, or sooner if I think proper, all my negroes now in my possession, which namely are there, Solloman Dina Alphred Amareetta, Neroe Prisella Peter, Lanley, of another family as followeth namely Kitty Lewis Caroline Vice Lee which I do hereby discharge at the time of my death as above, all these above negroes I have [revised?] in my [illegible] except Sollomon which I bought of William Temple upwards of twenty years back, and Kitty which I bought about fifteen years ago and I do for myself and my heirs executors and administrators by there presents release, grant and confirm unto the said negroes above named with all their futer posterity at the time of my death.In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal this 23rd day of April 1827."The document is also signed by witness Jacob Whiteside on April 23, 1827 and witness John Henry on August 15, 1827. This copy was handwritten by Hempstead circuit court recorder Allen M. Oakley and entered into the records of Hempstead County, Arkansas Territory on January 8, 1831. The witness statements and notes by Oakley are recorded on the opposite page.
Format:
Ink On Paper
Rights:
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Candace Greene
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Record Contributed By

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Record Harvested From

Smithsonian Institution