[Slavery] Head Rights Document for 350 Acres to be Settled in Georgia

A petition addressed to the President and Members of the Council of Augusta, Georgia requestion a grant of lands in the new county of Franklin, together with a handwritten oath by the petitioner. The petition is 1p partially printed, measuring 8.25" x 6.5", Augusta, Georgia, dated April 15, 1784. Edmond Martin, a citizen of South Carolina, claims he is entitled to 350 acres of land "on the Head Rights which he intends to bring into this state…" Signed at the conclusion by Martin. With a black seal at the bottom center and docketing on verso. The document has flattened folds with some separations at the folds. Uneven toning throughout and edge chipping. Boldly signed.

Together with a sworn oath from Martin. 1p, measuring 6.5" x 6.5", Richmond County, Georgia, dated April 7, 1784. Martin writes his intent to settle in Georgia as a citizen with three slaves accompanying him. Reading in part: "Edmond Martin…made oath that he intends becoming a citizen in this state and that he has…3 Negroes which he intends to bring into this and that he means to settle and improve the said land." Signed and sworn to before "Wm Glascock", "Charles Crawford", and "Jno Shackleford". With flattened folds and uneven edges. Light, uneven toning throughout and staining from the black seal on the previous document.

Headrights, also known as land rights, was a term used during the colonial period applied to the system of granting unclaimed land to new settlers. Most granted settlers anywhere from between 1-1,000 acres and were first used in the expansion of the Thirteen Colonies. Plantation owners benefited even more from the headright system, as they would be paid for the transportation of imported slaves from Africa. And, up until 1699, an enslaved person was worth a headright of fifty acres. After 1699, the law was changed so that headrights would only be granted to free citizens, meaning that slaves would no longer be guarantors of land.

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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