Warwick Valley History Exhibits

from the Collection of the New-York Historical Society
Item ID: nyhs_sc_b-05_f-19_029

Transcription:
This certifies that I John Hathorn of the Town of Warwick in the County of Orange and the State of New York farmer is owner of a Mulatto Woman Slave Named Serene and that on the fourth day of December last past was delivered of a Female child named Elizabeth -- given under my hand this Tenth day of March in the year One Thousand Eight hundred and fourteen. John Hathorn

(To) Mr. John M. Foght Town Clerk of the Town of Warwick aforesaid/To be recorded).

Transcription of a Warwick area slave bill of sale
From the Benedict Family Collection
Courtesy of Tom and Joan Frangos, 2005

A scan of this document was made available to the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick.

“Know all men by these presents that Robert Ludlow in the County of Orange and State of new York for an Inconsideration of the sum of Sixty pounds Currant Money of the State of New York to him in Hand paid by John Smith the Receipt whereof the said Robert Ludlow doth Acknowledge himself to be Fully Satisfied and paid. The said Robert Ludlow Hath granted Bargained and Sold unto the said John Smith a Certain Negro Wench Named Peg about Seventeen years of Age. Witness that the said Robert Ludlow doth of himself his heirs executors, Covenant and agree with the said John Smith, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns and every one of them that the said Robert Ludlow will for Ever warrant and Defend the said Negro Wench Named Peg unto the said John Smith from all Persons Claiming any Right, tittle or Interest to the said Negro Wench by any Act or deed. Done by the said Robert Ludlow as Cause to be done by his Order and also he engages the said Negro Wench as a Slave and free from all Encumbrances in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand an Seal the sixteenth day of January in the year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty eight.
Sealed & Delivered in the presents (sic) (signature) Robert Ludlow.
(Witness signatures) Samuel Ranor
Adam Holey (his mark)

Note: Both signers resided in the Warwick Area

Transcription of Slave Bill of Sale – Remsen to Wisner

Collection of the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick

To all whom these presents may concern.
These are to certify that I George? Remsen? Of the
Town ship of Warwick in the County of Range State
of New York have this Day Sold unto William Wisner
of the town of Wallkill of County and State aforementioned
and By these presents Do bargain and sell unto the S(ai)D
Wm Wisner for his use and benefit a Black Man and
Black Woman and two children the Black Man
Named Joseph the Woman named Charlott the one
Children named Liddy and the other no named
Thereto be slaves During Life or as long as the
Statute of this State will allow and admit of
Agreeable to a certain law of the State (?setting?)
Blacks free at a certain Age and for and in
Consideration of the sum of three hun-
Dred and seventy five Dollars Lawfull money
Of the United States to him In hand paid the
Receipt Where of is here by Acknowledged paid
To me by the S(aid) Wisner for the above mention
Blacks this the Ninth Day of December
One thousand Eight Hundred and fifteen As
Witness my hand & Seal
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of George Remsen
John ?Wright?
Gabriel Wisner

In her book "Under Old Rooftrees", E. B. Hornby records stories about slaves that were once owned by Warwick residents. Here is what she says about Serena:
"Serena was a tall, amply formed negress, her whole ap-
pearance imposing and majestic. A_ belle might have envied her her fine teeth, even in old age. Her laugh was so sweet and infectious that it was music. She was a dear lover of babies, and was never without one in her arms, when they could be persuaded in....Serena always wore a high, snowy turban wound around
her head."