Lot 666
1777 Manumission of Two Slaves. Document Signed (One Elizabeth Warder signs with her mark at the lower right). One page, 7½ x 6¼", November 12, 1777. Being a manumission of two slaves. In black ink. Original wax seal appears at the lower right. Docketed verso. With two horizontal folds, a 1½" tear that has been repaired at upper left and toning. Overall, in good condition.
In following with the decrees of her faith, here a Quaker widow named Elizabeth Warder grants her two slaves their freedom, stating: "Elizabeth Warder … do hereby set free from bondage my Negro woman named Hannah aged about twenty one years, and I also set free from bondage my Negro girl named Sarah aged two years the 25th day of the 6th month last (being the daughter of my said Negro Hannah)…" Given the political climate, Ms. Warder's act was actually ahead of its time as it would be nearly one hundred years before the Thirteenth Amendment was adopted, thereby abolishing slavery. However, the influence of her faith might have played a part in her decision -- the Quakers were champions of the anti-slavery movement, and began to strongly encourage members to release their slaves after the 1776 All Quakers meeting for the Philadelphia region. In fact, just four years later, the state of Pennsylvania (where Warder and her slaves resided) passed a law that allowed for the gradual abolition of slavery.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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| Realized $345 |
