The Rev. Charles Sewall purchases Jane and her daughter Henny, April 9, 1803.

The Rev. Charles Sewall purchases Jane and her daughter Henny, April 9, 1803.

Slavery; Slave women; Slave trade; Slave sale; Jesuits--History--19th century

In this bill of sale from 1803, Dorothy Digges sells Jane and her daughter Henny to the Rev. Charles Sewall, the plantation manager for St. Thomas' Manor.

Maryland Province Archives

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1803

Tom Foley, Elsa Barraza Mendoza. Transcribed by Jonathan Gibson, Catherine Jones, and Kathryn Lenihan (AMST272 Spring 2018).

Maryland Province, Society of Jesus

PDF

English

Manuscript

GSA221

Know all men by these presents that I Dorothy Digges Guardian to Robert Digges a minor for and in consideration of the sum of eighty five pounds current money of Maryland to me in hand for the use of the aforesaid Robert Digges by the Reverend Charles Sewall of Saint Thomas Manor in Charles County the receipt and payment whereof I do hereby acknowledge, and thereof and of every part thereof do hereby acquit exonerate and discharge him the said Charles Sewall his Executors administrators and assigns, have on the part and be half of the aforesaid Robert Digges given granted Bargained and sold and by these presents do give grant Bargain and sell unto to him the aforesaid Charles Sewall for ever one negroe woman called Jane together with her child called Henny which said negroe woman and child was late the property of George Digges deceased and hath now by distribution of his estate become vested in me as Guardian to the aforesaid Robert Digges - To Have and to hold the said negroe woman Jane and child Henny to him the said Charles Sewall and his heirs Executors administrators and assigns for ever, and as and for his and their absolute estate right and property without the lawful hindrance, trouble or molestation of me the said Dorothy Digges or any other person. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this ninth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and three.

Signed Sealed and                 Dorothy Digges [seal]                           

 Delivered in presence

JM Digges

 

[Note ]Sale of negroe woman Jane by Dorothy Digges to Rev. C. Sewall es. 1803

 

Charles County to wit

 

On the ninth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and three personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Dorothy Digges and acknowledged the within and foregoing instrument of writing as her art and Deed, and the property therein mentioned and conveyed to be the right and estate of the within mentioned Charles Sewall according to the True -crossed out- intent and meaning of the same

 

Acknowledged before JM Digges [signature]