Well put, and I agree, bare facts are more difficult to live with than 
someone else's memories.  That's our human nature, Joanne, particularly 
after so much exposure to drama and death via Hollywood and the telly.  Must 
add, that we still need the narrative of the past and that of good books 
like Henry's  --and even some movies-- to put things in perpective for us.

Gus


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "qvarizona" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 8:07 AM
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] North Carolina manumissions


> Paul,
>
> For me, your research results bring to light a tragic story in a way  the 
> Slave Narratives sometimes fail to do; possibly because  the bare facts 
> leave nothing to hide behind.   I'm not saying that the Narratives don't 
> break my heart, but the memories and emotions they bring forth,  can be 
> more easily set aside than historical fact.
>
> Joanne
>
>
>
>
> Paul Heinegg <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 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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