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African-American History
SLAVE RELATED.
(Circa 1801) Providence, RI, Town Council Meeting Report. "Diana
Watson a Black Woman is examined before the Council respecting her place of
settlement she say she was born in the town of S. Kingstown in the State.
That she was born in the family of Walter Watson of said S. Kingstown served her
time in ye family until she was eighteen years old, that her mother was a slave
to the said Watsons - that she left ye S. Kingstown Summer before the last and
came to this town, that she had a child about a year ago by the name of Stephen
that she was now married and goes out to washing and other house work for a
living." Signed by an X to indicate her mark, Diana
Watson. Document measure 7 5/8 x 6 1/8 . Laid paper with four 1/2 in.
archival tape repairs along right edge, otherwise a fine specimen to frame and
exhibit.
AAH#4.....$50.00 SOLD
BLACK AMERICANA ON POSTAL CARD. A classic example of stereotyping black
Americans on post cards in 1905. Sent from Portland to Brunswick, Me. Card
arrived 9 hours after posting. Special Delivery stamp, Scott E6 overpaid for
postage creating a highly collectible item of postal history.
AAH#1….$25.00
BLACK
INDENTURED 8 YEAR OLD GIRL.. A 2 sided document.
In full:
At a Town Council holden in and for the Town of Providence (RI) on the
seventh Day of December 1801 – in the afternoon –
Present : John Dorrance Esq. President
Abner Daggett
Joseph Jenckes
Jabez Bullock
2nd side:
Whereas Knight Dexter Junr. Represents that a Negro Child, a Girl by the name
of Silvia Gardner who is represented was Born in South Kingston the 6th
Day of July 1793 the Daughter of Phebe Gardner – is now living with him and
requests that Indentures may be given and that the said Slivia may be bound out
to him by this Council and this Council taking the same in Consideration Do
thereupon vote that the said Silvia Gardner be bound out to the said Knight
Dexter Junr until she is Eighteen years of Age on the Customary terms.
This 203 year old official record executed on laid paper would best be
sandwiched between two layers for illustrating the plight black families shared
with the poor white children who were “bound out” in New England towns.
Offered is a document measuring 11 x 3 ˝ inches .
AAH#2…$100.00
AFRICAN -AMERICANS IN EARLY RHODE ISLAND.
Official minutes of the Town Council Meeting in Providence,
Jack Nichols, a black man is examined respecting his settlement . He says he
was born in the Isle of Frane that he came to this country in the time of the
American Revolution in General Rochambeau’s Army – that he went to France with
the Army. He left France about the beginning of the French Revolution. Was
embarked at the port of Brest for this country, he first landed in the Town of
Newport where he staid one night and then came directly to this Town – from
where he has continued to reside until this time – he says he lives is Kings
House with Becky Tucker in a tenement of the widow Packards
his x mark Joh Nichols
Pridy Frick, a Woman of Color is examined respecting her place of Settlement,
she says she was born in this Town and brout up p
in the family of Zephariah Brown - and that she is the daughter of Ruth Frick of
said Warwick. Brown, she says has thirteen children
with William Frank - James Frick who lives in Warwick - that her youngest child
George lives with her - that she never lived in any
other place but this and was never married.
her x mark
Pridy Frank
AAH#3....$150.00
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