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Middlebury Register
Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont
What is this article about?
Historical account of free negroes in Maryland owning slaves 100 years ago, including a 1793 deed of emancipation by Negro Tom freeing his slave Grace, a similar 1794 deed by Abraham Gastus, and other subsequent emancipations recorded in Talbot County.
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It may not be generally known, but free negroes in Maryland, and probably in other states, 100 years ago owned negro slaves. The following deed of emancipation, bearing date Dec. 9, 1793, is duly recorded in record book 25, page 312, in the clerk's office of the circuit court at Easton, Talbot county, Md.:
Know all men by these presents that I, Negro Tom, late slave of Christopher Birkhead of Talbot county and state of Maryland, being possessed of a negro girl named Grace, who is now about the age of 16 years old, who is held by me in a state of slavery, and think it in my conscience that all mankind are entitled to equal freedom in this life and being desirous of securing to her liberty and freedom: Now, know ye, that I do hereby declare that the said negro girl Grace shall be free immediately from the date hereof, and I do hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, renounce all right, title and claim from and after the date hereof.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of December, anno Domini 1793.
His
Negro Tom
Mark
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us.
Peter Webb.
Sarah Trippe.
A similar deed of emancipation was recorded by a free negro, Abraham Gastus, May 17, 1794. There were afterward other deeds of emancipation by free negroes of slaves purchased or otherwise acquired.—Baltimore Sun.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Talbot County, Md.
Event Date
Dec. 9, 1793; May 17, 1794
Key Persons
Outcome
emancipation of negro girl grace by negro tom; similar emancipation by abraham gastus; other subsequent emancipations by free negroes.
Event Details
Free negroes in Maryland owned negro slaves 100 years ago. Deed of emancipation by Negro Tom, formerly slave of Christopher Birkhead, freeing his 16-year-old slave Grace effective immediately. Recorded in Talbot County court. Similar deed by Abraham Gastus and others afterward.