Receipt issued to Colonel John Neilson recording the sale of an enslaved black man who was taken from the enemy in war
Title
Receipt issued to Colonel John Neilson recording the sale of an enslaved black man who was taken from the enemy in war
Creator
Description
In this Revolutionary War era document, Thomas Bullman records that he received 55 pounds from Colonel John Neilson (1745-1833) for the sale of an enslaved black man. The name of this black man is not recorded here, but the receipt mentions that the man was “taken from the enemy” and then sold at public vendue (or auction) on November 30, 1777. The receipt was issued in Elizabethtown.
This receipt does not clarify who purchased the black man at the auction. Colonel Neilson may have purchased the man for himself personally or he may have helped arrange the auction for other bidders.
During the war, New Jersey Patriots routinely captured enslaved men and women who belonged to Loyalist slaveholders in New York and New Jersey. The Patriots typically sold these enslaved persons to the highest bidder at a public auction to raise money for the war effort.
This receipt does not clarify who purchased the black man at the auction. Colonel Neilson may have purchased the man for himself personally or he may have helped arrange the auction for other bidders.
During the war, New Jersey Patriots routinely captured enslaved men and women who belonged to Loyalist slaveholders in New York and New Jersey. The Patriots typically sold these enslaved persons to the highest bidder at a public auction to raise money for the war effort.
Date
1777-11-30
Spatial Coverage
Language
English
Relation
Text (Transcript)
[front:]
Elizth Town }
Novr 30th 1777 }
Receiv’d of Col John Neilson Fifty=five Pounds for a negro Man taken from the the Enemy & Sold Of Publick Vendue this Day —
Thos. Bullman
Rec-d 30th Novr. 1777 of Col Neilson Four pounds four Shillings for 2 Handkerchiefs. bougt. at Vendue by Col Runyon
Thos. Bullman
[back:]
Bullman’s [undecipherable]
For Negro & handks
30 Nov 1777
Elizth Town }
Novr 30th 1777 }
Receiv’d of Col John Neilson Fifty=five Pounds for a negro Man taken from the the Enemy & Sold Of Publick Vendue this Day —
Thos. Bullman
Rec-d 30th Novr. 1777 of Col Neilson Four pounds four Shillings for 2 Handkerchiefs. bougt. at Vendue by Col Runyon
Thos. Bullman
[back:]
Bullman’s [undecipherable]
For Negro & handks
30 Nov 1777
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries
Archival collection
Neilson Family Papers, 1768-1908 (MC 933)
Archival location
Box 2, Folder 4A: Correspondence, etc. 1774 (1777-8)
Citation
Bullman, Thomas, “Receipt issued to Colonel John Neilson recording the sale of an enslaved black man who was taken from the enemy in war,” Scarlet and Black Digital Archive, Rutgers University, accessed March 29, 2024, https://scarletandblack.rutgers.edu/archive/items/show/107.