| Jackson. J[oh]n a Black |
New York |
| 3 [r]d Septem[be]r 1783 |
He is a Native of
New York & was freeborn, he was in Trade for himself (Heell
& Last maker) when the Rebellion broke out his property
consisted of Stock in Trade & Household Goods worth altogether
about 150 £. The Rebels when they were in Possession of
New York took all his property from him because he would not
serve under them & they took him prisoner into Jersey but
he escaped to New York when the British Troops were in Possession
of it, he then went on Board of a Ship & he remained so
till he came to England when he was pressed & was on Board
the Shrewsbury with Admiral Keppel on the 27th of July in which
Engagem[en]t he lost his Leg, He married since he came to England
|
| |
There is no Certificate annexed
to his Memorial but he says he can procure one, he is desired
to do it from some person of Character who knew him at New York |
| Ent[ere]d |
Decision |
| This Man proves
no part of his Case & from the Circumstance of his being
desired to send in some Certificates a Month ago & not having
done it. We conclude that it is not in his power to do it. He
like all the other Blacks pretends to be freeborn in which Circumstance
likewise we Conclude that we are deceived for probably in fact
(instead of being Sufferers by the War) most of them have gained
their Liberty & therefore come with every ill grace to ask
for the bounty of Government We have no Scruple in saying that
Mr. Jackson is entitled to nothing from Government. |
| |
Prince, Prince, a Black |
Connecticut |
| 3 [r]d Septem[be]r 1783. |
He was born in America & was freeborn. He
lived at Stoney Town in Connecticut at the Commencement of the
troubles & followed the Business of Farming - He had 70
or 80 Acres in that Town which he got from his Father &
he says they were at least worth 50 £. He has a Wife &
one Child who are left behind in America about 7 years ago he
was obliged to serve in a Rebel Privateer or come away. He came
away & went on Board a Man of War & has served at Sea
ever since in the English Navy. |
| |
There is no Certificate Annex'd to his Memorial
But he thinks he can produce some proof of the truth of his
Case He is desired to do it. At present he is in no way of getting
his Bread but he will endevour to do it, he is 32 years of Age. |
| Ent[ere]d |
Decision |
| |
This Man does not pretend to have had property of much value
but he gives no proof of that little which he pretends to, its
therefore impossible for us to make any other report in this
Case, than that he is not entitled to any thing from Government. |
Smithers Anth[on]y, a Black. |
Jersey |
| 1st Sept[embe]r 1783. |
Was born free he lived in Gloucester County when
the Rebellion broke out. He had an House & Furniture 14
Acres of Land, 4 Horses, 1 Dozen Sheep, & 3 Dozen of Poultry
of which he produces a Schedule but there is no Certificate
annexed to it but her says he can get it Certified by a person
of Character & he mentions his name Mr Light a Carpenter
who lives in London & he lived within two Miles of him in
America. He joined the British Army when the City of Philadelphia
was taken & has been with them ever since He Values his
property at 720 £ Sterl[in]g he got the Property from
his Father who obtained it from his Master, his father died
free, He is 23 Years of Age, he was only 16 when he joined the
Army at Philadelphia, He is desired to give some proof of this,
& to send in a Certificate. |
| |
Decision on the Case of Anthony
Smithers. |
| Ent[ere]d |
No Part of this Case being established by Proof & a reasonable
time having been given to the memorialist to produce some proof
of it We think ourselves at Liberty after waiting a Month for
Certificates to decide upon it as a Case which cannot be proved
& therefore we are of Opinion that this Man is not entitled
to receive any thing from Government. |
| |
It is proper for us to explain our Reasons for so deciding
after a Certificate has been produced But it is a Certificate
signed by two Persons to whom we pay no Credit, manifestly made
for another Person & carrying evident marks of fraud upon
the face of it - it is singular that the Certificate speaks
of Houses & Lands - whereas the Memorialist pretends only
to have had one House. |
|
|
