Dublin Core
Title
1770.03.30 — Bill of sale for Cesar, March 30, 1770
Description
In this short bill of sale, William Williams of Massachusetts Bay sells an 18-year-old enslaved Black man named Cesar to Charles Phelps Jr. of Hadley. Williams charges Sixty-Five Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence for the sale. He specifies that the terms of the sale continue “forever” and include all of Cesar’s “heirs.” He sealed the letter on March 30, 1770, while the colonies were still under British rule.
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 15)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1770
Rights
Public domain
Type
Bill of sale
Scripto
Transcription
Captain Williams
Bill of Sale of Cesar
Know all Men by these Presents that I
William Williams of New Marlborough in the
county of Cumberland & Province of New York
Gentleman For and in Consideration of the sum of
Sixty Five Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four
pence Lawful Money of the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay to me in hand paid by Charles
Phelps Junior of Hadley in the County of Hampshire
& Province of Masachussets Bay Gentleman, Do Sell
and Convey into the said, Charles Phelps Junior his
heirs and Assigns forever a Negro Fellow named Cesar of about Eighteen Years of age
Sound & well in every part which I warrant
And I the said William Williams will warrant
and Defend the said Negro Free and Clear from all
Claims or Demands of any Person or Persons
Whatsoever In witness where of I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Thirtieth Day of March
In the tenth year of his Majesty’s Reign of 1770.
Signed Sealed and
Delivered in Presence of William Williams
Nathaniel Cutting
Josiah Pease
Bill of Sale of Cesar
Know all Men by these Presents that I
William Williams of New Marlborough in the
county of Cumberland & Province of New York
Gentleman For and in Consideration of the sum of
Sixty Five Pounds Thirteen Shillings & four
pence Lawful Money of the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay to me in hand paid by Charles
Phelps Junior of Hadley in the County of Hampshire
& Province of Masachussets Bay Gentleman, Do Sell
and Convey into the said, Charles Phelps Junior his
heirs and Assigns forever a Negro Fellow named Cesar of about Eighteen Years of age
Sound & well in every part which I warrant
And I the said William Williams will warrant
and Defend the said Negro Free and Clear from all
Claims or Demands of any Person or Persons
Whatsoever In witness where of I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Thirtieth Day of March
In the tenth year of his Majesty’s Reign of 1770.
Signed Sealed and
Delivered in Presence of William Williams
Nathaniel Cutting
Josiah Pease