Description:

1791 Sale of a Slave Girl in Connecticut, Captured Aboard British Vessel

A legal record documenting the sale of a slave girl named Jin, who had been taken as contraband from a captured vessel captained by Captain Isaac Ketcham in June 1780. 1p, measuring 8.25" x 9.5", Greenwich, Connecticut, dated January 20, 1791. The document shows that Jin was sold by Samuel Lockwood of Greenwich to Smith Weed of Stamford for the amount of £30. Docketing on verso. Accompanied by several supplementary documents concerning the sale and slavery in Connecticut. The document has flattened folds and creasing throughout. Toning and staining throughout as well. Minor dampstaining and minor edge wear. Bold and legible text.

In part:

"…Saml Lockwood of Greenwich…for the consideration of thirty pounds Connecticut money of sd State, Recd to my full satisfaction of Smith Weed of Stamford…Do Give Grant Bargain Sell Convey & Confirm unto the sd Smith Weed and to his heirs & assigns forever a Negro Girl named Jin sd Negro Girl was captured on board an armed vessel commanded by Capt Ketcham in June 1780 and Legally condemned by the Maritime Court of sd County…To have & to hold the above granted and bargained for Negro Girl to him the sd Smith Weed and to his heirs & assignees forever as a slave during Life…"

Supplementary documentation accompanying the sale record discovered that the ship on which Jin was captured was the British privateer, "St. Andrew", captained by Isaac Ketchum. It is unknown why she was aboard such a vessel - possibilities range from her being a ladies' maid to having been captured along the coast or aboard a Yankee vessel. Regardless, the "St. Andrew" was captured in June 1780 on the Sound by Captain Ebenezer Jones of Stamford, who had been commissioned as commander of the armed ships "Greenwich" and "Spitfire". Samuel Lockwood had served in Connecticut's 9th and 5th Regiments during the war, before taking up whale-boating. He teamed up with Isaac Jones and John Davenport in 1782 to commission two armed vessels and frequently raided British ships in the Sound, bringing back hostages and British supplies. It is perhaps under these circumstances that Lockwood acquired the girl Jin.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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November 2, 2022 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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