Black History
A "Negro Wench" and Her Two Children Offered in Payment for Rum
June 9, 1770-Dated Colonial America, being a Deposition Mentioning a Slave Negro Wench and Her Two Children as Payment against a debt owed for Rum, Newport, Rhode Island, Very Fine.
Black History, Slavery related content Manuscript Document Signed, "John Thurston" and Notarized by Justice of the Peace Martin Stoward, measuring 9.25" x 7.25", Thurston provides his testimony, in part:



"... in the month of January AD 1770 I was in company with my Father Peleg Thurston in the... house of my Father's in Newport at which time Hampton Lillebridge - came there and told my Father that he wanted the Rum that He owed him, upon which he told Lillebridge that he could not pay him the Rum in less that six week's but if S[ai]d Lillebridge would take a Negro Wench & her two Children my S[ai]d Father say'd he would pay him the s[ai]d Lillebridge what he owed him..."



It isn't clear whether the Slaves were offered as payment or working collateral for the note due but, either way, is is till shocking to see how Slaves as "property", money, and other property were interchangeable with no regard to familial relationships or human feelings. (Good for John for testifying against his father.) A most uncommon Pre-Revolutionary War Rhode Island, document.