Description:

Theophilus Freeman
New Orleans, LA, November 27, 1838
Theophilus Freeman, Slave Dealer in "12 Years a Slave," Deed For Slaves Sold 3 Years Before Solomon Northup
MD

Manuscript deed for two enslaved men sold by the infamous slave trader Theophilus Freeman, described in Solomon Northup's memoir "Twelve Years a Slave" (1853). 2pp, measuring 8.25" x 13.5", New Orleans, LA, dated November 27, 1838. The document has been signed on the same day by notary public William Young Lewis- stamped by his blind embossed seal- and certified a week later by the recorder of St. Helena Parish, Samuel Leonard. Exhibits separation along top horizontal fold with short tape repairs. Minor loss at center fold, not affecting text. General age toning throughout. Overall, very good.

Within records a sale by Freeman to one Merritt Grandison Kemp of St. Helena, Louisiana, reading in part:

"…the following slaves, to wit: William Rolling, a negro man, aged about twenty years, valued at the sum of one thousand dollars, and Dennis Ward, a negro man, aged about nineteen years, valued at the sum of twelve hundred dollars, both recently imported into this state and lawfully owned by the said vendor."

Theophilus Freeman (ca. 1800-1860) played a central role in both Northup's harrowing narrative memoir "Twelve Years a Slave", and in the recent 2013 film adaptation of the same name. Shortly after Northup's kidnapping into slavery in 1841, he was sent to a New Orleans slave market run by Freeman, who sold him under a false name to Baptist minister William Prince Ford (1803-1866). Offered here is a notarized copy of another slave deed executed by the same Freeman, dated less than three years earlier.

It may be impossible to know whether the two men named in this document, Rolling and Ward, were legally sold or if they had been captured as Solomon Northup had been. Indeed, the statement that they were "both recently imported into this state" is an ominous sign, but we have been unable to trace the fates of either man. The purchaser, Merritt G. Kemp (1816-1863) was a young man at the time, only twenty-two years old. He remained in St. Helena until his death in 1863, but did not own any men of the appropriate age during the 1860 census.

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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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 13.5"
  • Medium: MD

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