Permissions to Marry, 1831-2

Permissions to Marry, 1831-2

African Americans--Marriage customs and rites--19th century
African Americans--Social life and customs--19th century
Slaves--United States--Social conditions--19th century
Slaves--United States--Social life and customs--19th century
Marriage--United States--History--19th century

Four permissions for enslaved people to marry granted by their owners in 1831 and 1832. These permissions are part of the records of Holy Trinity Church in the Archives of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus.

Civil marriages involving enslaved people were not recognized by law, but the Catholic Church did recognize and perform marriages involving enslaved people, provided the owners of the enslaved people granted permission for them to marry.

The four marriages permitted here were:

William Correy and Mary Coffee
Parker Sorrel and Mary (Polly) Butler
Joseph Haddister and Julia Hawkins
John Lee and an unnamed woman owned by a Mrs. French

Maryland Province Archives

Archives of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, Box 19, Folder 8, Booth Family Center for Special Collections, Georgetown University.

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1831
1832

Mary Beth Corrigan, Dami Kim, Adam Rothman

Maryland Province Jesuits

Manuscript

English

Manuscripts

GSA 441

[Permission 1]

Aug 1831                                                                                                   Washington Augt 22-1831

Reverend Sir, The bearer William Correy have my permission to get married to the woman belonging to Miss Eliason.

   Sarah Waters

I give full permission to the above William to marry my servant woman Mary Coffee.

  Maria Eliason

Aug 22

[Permission 2]

Feby 1832 Married Aug 7th

To whom it may concern

            My servant Parker Sorrel has my permission to marry Polly Butler

Harpers Ferry }                     Otis Dudley

Feb 14^th 1832 }                                                

[reverse]

Parker servt of Mr Dudley to marry butler free. Tester John Johnson and Caroline Butler

Aug – 7^th 1832

[Permission 3]
Sept 1832 Geo Town Sep 6 – 1832

This is to authorise any Minister of the Gospel to marry my servant John Lee to Mrs Frenchs servant woman

John Henry

Mrs Frenchs woman has permission from her mistress to marry John Lee. I know therefore any minister may marry them with safety

     Mary Virginia Mason

[reverse] 

Joseph Haddister of Mr Lewis Smith ––

Julia Hawkins of Mr Murdoch