1770.03.30 — Bill of sale for Cesar, Mar. 30, 1770

Letter

Dublin Core

Title

1770.03.30 — Bill of sale for Cesar, March 30, 1770

Description

In this short bill of sale, William Williams of New Marlborough New York sells an 18-year-old enslaved Black man named Cesar to Charles Phelps Jr. of Hadley. Williams received Sixty-Five Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence in Massachusetts Bay currency for the sale. He specifies that the terms of the sale continue “forever” and extend to Charles’ “heirs.” He sealed the letter on March 30, 1770, while the colonies were still under British rule.

Source

Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 15)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives

Date

1770

Rights

Public domain

Type

Bill of sale

Transcription

Captain Williams
Bill of Sale of Cesar

Know all Men by these Presents that I 
William Williams of New Marlborough in the 
county of Cumberland & Province of New York 
Gentleman For and in Consideration of the sum of 
Sixty Five Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four 
pence Lawful Money of the Province of the 
Massachusetts Bay to me in hand paid by Charles 
Phelps Junior of Hadley in the County of Hampshire 
& Province of Masachussets Bay Gentleman, Do Sell 
and Convey into the said, Charles Phelps Junior his 
heirs and Assigns forever a Negro Fellow named Cesar of about Eighteen Years of age
Sound & well in every part which I warrant 
And I the said William Williams will warrant 
and Defend the said Negro Free and Clear from all 
Claims or Demands of any Person or Persons 
Whatsoever In witness where of I have hereunto 
set my hand and seal this Thirtieth Day of March 
In the tenth year of his Majesty’s Reign of 1770. 

Signed Sealed and 
Delivered in Presence of William Williams 
Nathaniel Cutting 
Josiah Pease