Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-25

ildHuScrlpS. dgBTesathS uunortos III number, which have ben deposited in the state library for permanent pres- ervation, contain many papers relat- ing to slavery as far back as 1725 in Connecticut. These papers supple ment the ancient colonial records on the subject which were collected and annotated by J. Hammond Trumbull. State Librarian George S. Goddard Is accomplishing valuable work in having the Seymour papers arranged and systematized for reference. The donor of the documents to the library. William F. J. Boardman, has been a collector through the whole of his life, and has placed the library under special obligations on account of his donations.
 Slavery a Reality in Connecticut.
 Slavery was a reality in Connecti- cut in 1725, and sales of the bondmen took place at the will of the owners. In the year in question | Richard Boardman of Newington sold to Thom- as Seymour a negro called London, alias "Lonon,'' for SO pounds, current money. The deed was signed Sept. IS, 1725, fin the eleventh year of King GeOarge's reign" Isaac Kibbe of En- field for the sum of 65 pounds, cur rent money of the New York govern ment, which was received from Elisha Goldsmith of Goshen of that colony, bargained and sold a negro named Cope. 20 years old, and im- ported from Africa. Kibbe warranted him slave for life, but would not guarantee that he was sound or well. The deed was signed Oct. 21, 1766, and delivered in the presence of Ma thaniel Owen and Phineas Lovejoy.
 Samuel Tudor's Purchase.
 Samuel Tudor of Windsor bought of Nathaniel Hamlin of Middletown, for 20 pounds, lawful money, June. &, -1767, one negro boy about five years of age, named London. William Tal- colt of Hartford received a bill of sale of negro boy named Keyman, nine years old. The bill was signed by Benjamin Lord in favor of Widow Ledyard of Hartford, May 23, TIT. This account ran along for a. number of years. Talcott agreed, Sept. G., 1794, to return and deliver this bill of sale to William Ellery.
 Thomas Sackville Tufton's Bond.
 In 17S0 Thomas Sackville Tuition of Groton. 'in the state of Massachusetts Bay" gave a bond for 150 silver dol- lars, or gold equivalent, to John Welles of Glastonbury, for a negro. to be delivered Nov s. of that year, death or some other unseen casualty excepted" The slave was to be cared for and his delivery made in one year,
 The Slave sIoop Unity.
 The slave sloop Unity, commanded by Captain Timothy Miller. was fit- ted out for Africa Dr. Nornand Nor rison of New London sold the bulk of supplies, giving credit to George Will mot of Albany. who was a partner in the project The credit, among other things, was for 294 pounds of coffee, 746 pounds of pork, 1,050 pounds of tobacco, two and one-half bushels of salt and one tub, valued at three shillings and six pence. The estate of Dr. Morrison by peculiar method of bookkeeping, Nov. 10, 175s, was shown to be debtor to George Will mot The latter took an oath at New London showing that there was ball. ances of 153 pounds and 14 shillings due to him. The account had run up to 535 pounds and 19 shiliings.
 Under date of June IT, 1760, John Walker sent word from Hartford to Captain Willis had received a letter from Captain Miller. dated at Sara lon, on the coast of Africa, of April 1, which gave an account of their well fare. They had then got on board AZ slaves and were to sail in three week after that. 50 we hourly ex- pect his arrival" T hear Mrs. Mil- Ter" he continues. Ifs uneasy at your not paying her for. the negro you you to be here yourself when Miller arrives, which will be soon now with out he has. met with some misfor- tune. Get my saddle bags from Old Mccarthy and send down by some safe hand"
 The Willmot Accounts.
 The Willmot claims resisted settle ment. Tn May. 1764, the general court in this state appointed a committee, consisting of Elisha Williams rErastus Woolcut, and Jonathan Wells. to act as arbitrators in settling the accounts existing between the estate of Dr. Nor mand Morrison and George Willmot. This course had been agreed upon by Willmot and the executor of Morrison estate. The conference of the arbitors was held in the house of Moses But Ter in Hartford. Thomas Seymour was counsel for Willmot who was sum- moned with John Walker to be pres ent. There are two letters from George Willmot which he furnished his counsel, Thomas Seymour. These letters show that Willmot was inter- ested in the sloop Unity which had
 
 Africa. Mir Seymour's name Is given as Thomas Seymour in the willmot letters. Captain "Gooden", and Cap tain Marsh of Hartford were active in the proceedings. George Smith was the, executor of the Morrison estate. The results of the arbitration are not recorded.
 Six Toed Betty.
 The slave traffic could not meet the greed of slave owners and Spanish Indians were enslaved in 1749. Will liam Marsh of Plainfield had had a slave. whose mother, Betty, was at one time the slave of Joseph Towers of New London. She had six toes on each foot. When she was child the Carolina Indians attacked her home while her father twas hunting. Her mother, taking her on her back, fled to swamp. where she was shot. Betty swam the stream. but was captured. The first night the captors beheaded the older prisoners. They traveled with the rest twelve days and afterwards sold them in Carolina. Ultimately she was held as a slave in New London.
 Joseph De Mink.
 A colored Portuguese sailor, Joseph De Mink, V l1o was born in Bravo, one of the Cape Verde Islands, was ab- ducted from Bonavista by Capt. Phin- eas Cook of Wallingford, who brought him to the Connecticut colony in 1755 and sold him to his father, David Cook The latter in turn sold the Portuguese Ir---.-aasaaa..--