Written by
Pearson, Joseph, American
Subject of
Watson, Robert
Unidentified Child or Children
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
January 8, 1827
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 7 1/8 x 7 11/16 in. (18.1 x 19.5 cm)
Description
A handwritten bill of sale for a woman named Leah and her two daughters, Sarah and Mariah, for the amount of $750 to Robert Watson. The document is handwritten in brown ink on a square sheet of off-white paper. At top left it is dated [1822 Jany. 8th]. It reads in part: [Rcd. of Robert Watson seven / hundred & fifty dollars, in full payment / for a negro woman (Leah) and her / two children Sarah& Mariah; which / negroes I warrant sound in body and / mind: I also warrant & defend the / rights & title to said negroes, unto / him, the sd. [said] Watson, his heirs and / assigns forever]. It is signed [Joseph Pearson] at bottom right with handdrawn seal and witnessed by [John Bailey] at bottom left. There are no markings or inscriptions on the verso.
Place made
Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
bills of sale
Topic
Children
Domestic slave trade
Families
Finance
Motherhood
Slavery
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2012.158.25
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a7f42e92-357c-43d0-ab71-0169732a5308

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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