"She was once a slave": Sarah Brook, a woman formerly enslaved by the Fenwick Family, requests her freedom papers, May 29th, 1832

"She was once a slave": Sarah Brook, a woman formerly enslaved by the Fenwick Family, requests her freedom papers, May 29th, 1832

Slave women; Slave labor; Master and Servant ; Slaves--Manumission; Catholic Church-Clergy-Correspondence

In a letter from May, 1832, Henry Elder, the future Archbishop of Cincinnati, writes to Rev. George Fenwick, to recount the story of Sarah Brook, a woman formerly enslaved by the Fenwicks who is requesting her freedom papers.

Maryland Province Archives

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1832-05

Elsa Barraza Mendoza

Georgetown University Library

PDF

English

Manuscript

GSA113

St. Mary’s College Balt May 29^th 1833 

Rev^d. and Dr Sir.

                        I have been called upon this morning by an old negro woman who called herself Sarah Brook, and who says she was once a slave belonging to yr Father, and was set free by the will of the late Revd Mr. Griffin. This poor woman tells me she has her freedom papers on record in Washington, and begs of her Master George to obtain them and send them to her. She will want them, in order to prove that she is free; she also tells me that Mr. F. Key owes her money, which was left her by the late Master; and has asked me to by you to remind Mr. Key that she is still living and in great want.

With sentiments of respect and esteem I remain Revd and Dr Sir, yr Obdt Servt. 

Rev^d G. Fenwick                                                                                                                              H.Elder                                                                                   [Signature]

 

[Envelope]

Single

Rev.^d George Fenwick

George Town College

Dist. Col.

 

 

Manuscript