- Written by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Walker, William, English
- Signed by
- Gunston, John, English
- Gunston, Joan, English
- Gunston, Ursula, English
- Warren, Thomas, English
- Bulkeley, William, English
- Manby, James, English
- Date
- March 28, 1685
- Medium
- ink on vellum
- Dimensions
- H x W: 20 3/8 × 28 1/8 in. (51.8 × 71.4 cm)
- Description
- An estate indenture concerning the Barbados plantation and property, including enslaved persons, of Captain Thomas Gunston. The property is being transferred from Gunston’s widow “Ursula Gunston” to his nephew and niece, (“John Gunston”) and (“Joan Gunston Spinster”), facilitated by William Walker, for the price of seven hundred [700] pounds. The top of the single sheet document is scalloped, the upper left corner is embellished with ornamental text reading [The Indenture], and the bottom of the document has the signatures of John and Joan Gunston with hanging wax seals and paper ribbons attached.
- The document begins “This Indenture made the Eight and Twentieth day of March In the first yeare of the reined of our Sovereign Lord James the second by the grace / of God of England Scottland Ffrance and Ireland King defender of the faith Anno Dni 1685 Betweene John Gunston and Joan Gunston Spinster both of Taunton Deane / in the county of Somersett Nephew and Niece Captain Thomas Gunston late of the parish of St. George in the island of Barbados (illegible) on the one part And William Walker / Cittizen and Ironmonger of London of the other part Withnesseth that they the said John Gunston and Joan Gunston as well for and in consideration of the summe of Seven / hundred pounds of lawfull money of England to them in hand payd by the said William Walker…”
- The middle of the document mentions the ownership and transfer of property including enslaved persons: "togeather with the moyety of all houses Edifices Mills Ingenios Copper Stills Woods Underwoods Timber Timber Trees And Negroe Slaves upon the said Lands or Plantac[[i]]on being...”
- Written on the back side of the document at center is “28th March 1684 / Mr Jhn Gunston & Mrs Joan Gunston Conveyance / to Mr. William Walker.” On the back in the upper left corner is a small summary of the exchange of funds with witness signatures. In the upper right corner is a statement of understanding signed by Ursula Gunston. Witness signatures and a small wax seal stamp are also present.
- Transcription Center Status
- Transcription Available
- Place depicted
- Somerset County, England, Europe
- Saint George, Barbados, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Documents and Manuscripts
- Type
- indentures
- Topic
- British colonialism
- Colonialism
- Finance
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2010.1.316
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




