Here are some notes I took from the Perquimans County, North Carolina court
minutes 1784-1789:
p.38, "the sheriff made a return to court of the following negroes to wit
Sippeo, Cezar, Ann and Jean, late the property of Ralph Fletcher & said to
be set free contrary to the Law, but the Court on Considering the several
circumstances ordered the four Negroes to be Delivered to the Executor of
the sd. Ralph Fletcher." (rather than be sold at public auction).
Then the sheriff made return of several Sundry other negroes taken up &
det'd by him as manumitted by the Quakers in express violation of the
law...disturb the peace of the state...manumitted by Elihu
Albertson...Sheriff expose the said Negroes to sale highest bidder.
p.43, Josiah Bundy claimed Negroe man Ephraim but court considering he had
manumitted him contrary to law, ordered to be sold.
p.64, (more sales) Harry formerly property of John Anderson
Dinah formerly property of Josiah Moore
Patt formerly property of Elihu Anderson
p.110, sheriff sell James late property of Benja. Newby taken up by Abner
Harrel & said to be lett free contrary to law. Sheriff to sell.
p.238, Negro Judah set free contrary to law, slave of Wm White. Sheriff sell
p.243, ditto Davy slave of Robert Newby, Jack slave of Isaac Elliott.
15 Oct 1788, p.254, ditto Siney slave of William Townsend, Dick of John
Smith, Pegg & Jenny of Robert Newby, Ned of Josiah White, Hagar & Fanny of
Robert Roberson, Cezar of Elihu Albertson, Mingo of John Haskell, Aaron of
Joseph Thornton sold to highest bidder
Primus of Reuben Wilson, Hagar of Jacob White discharged from confinement
and sold.
p.258, ditto David of Robert Newby
Jack of Isaac Elliott
p.286, The Sheriff having made return of two negroes to wit Lucy and her
child taken up as free and committed to Gaol according to Law, ordered that
the Sheriff expose to sale to highest bidder.
It continues but I didn't take further notes.
The famous free African American educator John Chavis opposed manumission,
at least in his public statements. Perhaps he was currying favor with whites
to allow him to continue teaching or perhaps it was because his father was a
slaveowner. The Chavis family was free since the 1600s.
Paul
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