Document on distribution of six enslaved persons owned by Elizabeth Roberts
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@ National Museum of African American History and Culture
John Neusville, American William Eckells, American Unidentified Woman or Women Unidentified Man or Men Edward Tonge, American
Description
A financial document (2018.43.8a) listing "Elizabeth Roberts Negroes," splitting them up by lot and divided between heirs by the executors of the estate of Elizabeth Roberts.The document consists of handwritten black ink on both sides of a single sheet of paper.The front of the large document notes the relationships people had with Elizabeth Roberts and their claims to her property, as well as the state and county officials involved. The back of the document names the enslaved persons with their ages, and notes how they or their equivalent monetary value should be distributed among the interested parties. The enslaved persons are listed as:Ben, 23Harry, 40Hannah, 45Philis 11,Franny 8,Lucy 6Harry, Hannah, and Philis went to James Spencer, brother of Elizabeth Roberts. Ben, Franny and Lucy went to William and Eleanor Spencer, nephew and niece of Elizabeth Roberts. The accounting of the estate is dated January 22, 1802 in Charleston. The division of property is entered as February 9, 1802 in St. Paul's Parish, Colleton District of South Carolina. The document is signed by Isaac Perry, Benjamin Perry, and Edward Tonge, executors of the estate.The document is accompanied by a smaller piece of folded paper (2018.43.8b), that served as an envelope for the document. It has handwritten text summarizing the contents of the document.
Ink On Paper
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family
