Created by
Smith, Gerrit, American, 1794 - 1874
Date
September 1, 1846
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 9 1/2 x 7 15/16 in. (24.1 x 20.2 cm)
Description
A land indenture document transferring land from Gerrit Smith to John Bics or Bice, a possibly formerly enslaved man, for the sum of one dollar. The document contains printed and handwritten text, both in black ink, on both sides of a single sheet of off-white paper. The beginning states [THIS INDENTURE, made the First day of September / one thousand eight hundred and forty six between Gerrit Smith of Petersboro, Sate of New York, of the first part, and John Bics(?) / of the town of Madison, and the County of Madison, / State aforesaid, of the second part. / Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, in consideratin of one dollar and of his desire to have all share in the means of subsistence and happiness, which a bountiful God has provided for all, has granted, sold, and quit claimed, to the said party of the second part...]. The document is signed by Smith at the bottom, next to a green seal mark. The reverse side contains a printed and handwritten statement signed by [E. Holmes Judge Co. Courts / [illegible] his court] on the middle third of the document. The bottom third contains handwritten text. The document was previously folded into thirds.
Place depicted
Madison, Madison County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Peterboro, Madison County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Essex County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Movement
Anti-slavery movements
Type
documents
Topic
Antislavery
Free communities of color
Race relations
Self-liberation
Slavery
U.S. History, 1815-1861
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Franklin Sciacca
Object number
2013.65.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54b34f6f6-fd92-414c-9d5a-58926264ddc1

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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