Written by
Berry, John, American
Date
1827; modified 1831
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 12 3/16 x 7 13/16 in. (31 x 19.8 cm)
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.
Place made
Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
free papers
Topic
American West
Emancipation
Families
Freedom
Slavery
U.S. History, 1815-1861
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Candace Greene
Object number
2009.47.2
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ee4ed91d-97f9-4bc5-8ccd-280bbe860f3d

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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