Slavery
Slave Loses His Freedom Papers But Still Wants to Be Free

This remarkable affidavit by Baltimore merchant Joshua F. Batchelder states that he lost the "pass of his freedom" of Eli Flint, a freed African American. Batchelder fears that his daughter might have mistakenly burned it along with other papers. Freedom passes were critical documents for freed African Americans in antebellum America, and their absence could lead to reenslavement by unscrupulous slave traders.

[SLAVERY.] Nicholas Snider, Manuscript Document Signed, November 2, 1826. 1 p., 8.25" x 8.625". Expected folds; irregular edges, but all words dark and clear.

Excerpt:

"On this 2nd day of November 1826 before me one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County appears Joshua F. Batchelor of the City of Baltimore, and makes Oath that a Black Man by the name of Eli Flint, who was at one time in his employ, put into his care a pass of his freedom, which he the said Batchelor put into his Desk, but cannot again find or lay his hands upon it, and thinks it was with other papers Burnt by his Daughter to whom he gave directions to Burn all papers in his Desk except receipts and supposes it to have been destroyed in that way at that time."

Nicholas Snider/Snyder (1786-1856) was a justice of the peace in Baltimore County, Maryland, northwest of the city of Baltimore. He served as a first lieutenant in Capt. Galt's Volunteer Company in the War of 1812, and was one of the defenders of Baltimore. In 1835, Andrew Jackson nominated Snider as United States marshal for the district of Maryland, and he held the position for six years.

Joshua F. Batchelor was an Ensign in the Maryland infantry during the Revolutionary War and later a merchant in Baltimore. According to newspapers, he was an insolvent debtor in 1811, 1820, and 1828. Also in 1828, he delivered a short speech and read the Declaration of Independence for the Association of Blacksmiths in Baltimore on the Fourth of July.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.