Call # Title Location Document Type Date Description
Mss 9001-I "Indians" [?]
Mss 541 Aaron Lopez Papers Newport Accounts Oct - Dec 1770 Folder 1: Lopez's daybook includes record of receipt of payments which occasionally list the goods as being delivered by a "negro boy."
Mss 541  Aaron Lopez Papers Newport Accounts 1774-1775 Folder 2: Daybook records payments for goods and sometimes lists the names of the delivery boys including William Negro and Negro Jack
Mss 541    Aaron Lopez Papers Newport Log Book 1767-1783

In folder 3 there is a log book for five ships owned by the firm of Lopez & Rivera, mostly in slave trade: the Sally (1767); Hannah (1768), Cleopatra (1770-1773); Africa (1773-1774) and Washington (1783).  Folder 12 contains several documents re a voyage of the slave ship Cleopatra to Africa in 1773, and a bill of sale for a slave named Charles, from Joseph Holloway of Exeter to Lopez in 1774.
Mss 541      fol 12 Aaron Lopez Papers Newport Bill of sale 11 & 14 Feb 1774

Sale of "a certain Negro man named Charles" to Aaron Lopez from Joseph Holloway of Exeter and Lopez's transfer of Charles to Capt. Daniel Holloway.
Mss NEYM Abolition Society                                                                                               Abolition Society's Book Providence Yearly Meeting of Friends for New Eng. 1789-1793, 1821-1823 Minutes of the meetings of the Abolition Society, including the constitution,   membership lists, summaries of business against slavery and the slave trade and   legal intervention on behalf of free African-Americans and other people of color.
Mss 9001-A African Union Society Newport Proceedings 10 Nov 1796 Proceedings of a "meeting held by free Africans and other free people of colour in the Town and county of Newport and state of Rhode Island on the tenth of November AD 1796 at the house occupied by Mr. Abraham Casey to hear an addendum from the convention of Deputies from the Abolition Society in the United States read...."
Records identify a committee made up of Newport Gardner, Zingo   Stevens, Prince Amy formed to raise money to buy books and appoint a clerk to   record all births, marriages and deaths of free blacks and other people of color   in the town of Newport.
Mss 452 Albert Collins Greene Papers, 1804-1863. East Greenwich/ Warwick Memo book 1815-1817 In his memo book notes Tabitha Gardner "commenced working for us at 5/- per   week. October 9, 1815," probably in his household.  Credits to and charges   against her account are indicated in the book.
Mss 452 Albert Collins Greene Papers, 1804-1863. East Greenwich/ Warwick Deposition 1831 Box 134, folder 124:  Depositions of John Gardner, William Jordan, and Richard Johnson involving   the riots in Providence.
Mss 9001-A Allen, Benjamin (1652-1723) Rehoboth Bill of sale  7 Jun 1704 Sale of "one Negro boy," Felix from Benjamin Allen of Rehoboth to Thomas   Allen of Swansey. On the back of the bill of sale is Benjamin Allen's deed for   sale of Felix (dated June 9, 1704).
Mss 9001-A Allen, Capt. Zachariah Providence Receipt 1 Oct 1796 Payment from Newport Tew for his services in   burying Capt. Joseph Crawford.
Mss 9001-A Allin, Thomas Barrington Papers 1790 & 1795 Receipt, January 26, 1790. Payment for punishing Nathaniel Smith's     Ceasar as "Allin thought fitt."
Appointment, July 16, 1795. Document appointing Allin as administrator     of the estate of Jack Allen, "a free negro man."
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Records 1789-1900 This collection of records of the yarn manufacturing firm probably includes many references to people of color which could be found through careful examination. Examples of the types of references include:
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Accounts 1791-1792 Accounts, Vol. l. Entries of accounts for Cudge (Brown) March 27, 1792 and   July 16, 1791, Bristol Rhodes (July 13, 1791), and Primus Brown.
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Accounts 1793-1794 Accounts, Vol.  4, 1793-1794. Blotter shows "spining Milles Dr. to paid S.   Slater's order given to John Bucklins black man for work at Pawtucket"  (February 26, 1794)
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Accounts 1789-1790 Accounts, Vol. 25, 1789-1790. Record of payment to "Sylvester Daby, a black   man for baskets" (December 1789), payment to Samuel Slater (October 1790),   for hire of "the black man who turned [provided power] for him."
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Accounts 1785-1790 Accounts, Vol. 67, 1785-1790. Accounts of store purchases and services,  include the names of  Primus Hopkins, Brister Rhodes (he & wife spin yarn), PhillisAlderedy, wife of Prince for an agreement to spin warps, Prince   Cushing, Marcy Alderedy, Cudge Brown and others.
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Accounts 1789 Accounts, Vol. 74, 1789.  Accounts for spinning contain the names of people of   color including Marcy Alderedy, Phebey Shaw, and Providince Brown, among   others.
Mss 29 Almy & Brown Records, 1789-1846. Providence Letter 1800 Letter, September ll, 1800. From Benjamin Hadwen which mentions that "a   black man in thy employ with no legs has a considerable sum of money due   from Archibald Crary..."
Mss 9001-A Almy, Job Bedford Agreement 24 Aug 1773 "An agreement made between Job Almy & John Burden on the one Part & Samson Amos an Indian Man on the other Part, the said Samson agrees to Whale for sd. Almy & Burden on consideration of their paying him after the Rate of Six Dollars per month, During the Voyage to the Coast of Africa; on Board the Sloop Bellisle James Howland Master, Wages Commencing on said Samson entering on Board, & to Cease on the Return of said Sloop, One Half Part of sd. Wages or thereabouts being Eighteen Dollars to be paid down immediately on entering on Board
     as Witness my Hand the above amount being Recd. by me
      Samson Amos  X   his mark
     Test. Thomas Bourland
Mss 9001-A Almy, Samuel Tiverton Will 27 Sep 1763  To his wife Mary Almy: six female slaves named Fillis [Phyllis], Rose, Flower, Vilet [Violet], Hull, and Fillis the second [Phyllis].
  To his sons Peleg and Job: two male slaves and one female slave named Zippo, Perow and Jenny.
Mss 9001-A Almy, William Providence Letter 30 Jul 1793 To the Corresponding Committee of the Abolition Society in New York from William Almy and James Ellis concerning "sending Delegates to form a Convention to consider the cause of the opposed Africans and to solicit Congress for their relief in such a way and manner as may appear most eligible..."
Mss 9001-A Almy, William Providence Letters 12 & 13 Dec 1796 To Andrew Herr pertaining to efforts by the Abolition Society to free Jack Johnson, "If he proves before competent authority that he is really free, he will not stand in need of thy aid to establish his freedom."
Mss 822 Alva Woods Family Papers Kentucky and Alabama Diary 1830-1831 Includes diaries of Almira Marshall Woods written in Kenticky and Alabama, frequently discussing slaves and Native Americans.  The following are examples: recounts anecdotes about Indians [5/4/1830]; "kind interference of a blacky" [1830]; anecdote about Indians' aversion to red hair [3/10/1831]; sympathetic encounter with "a lot of negroes stowed away for the southern market" [3/11/1831]; encounter with Chickasaws and slave ship [3/12/1831?].  Large party of Choctaws [3/18/1831?].  Frequent discussion of negroes in 1833 diary, including list of slaves and cotton picked by each on Mr. Jarman's plantation in Franklin County, AL.  Also 10/31/1870 letter from E.B. Teague to Alva woods discussing the religious and political situation of the southern Negroes.
Mss 257 American Citizenship Campaign Records, 1917-1919 Rhode Island Lists (Boxes 1 and 2) 1917-1919 The American Citizenship Campaign began at the outbreak of World War I in an attempt to move aliens towards naturalization.  Lists of alien men of voting age were created by nationality and residence, including several lists of Chinese-Americans. Finding aid available.
Mss 927 American Tract Society Records, 1832-1835 Providence Records 1832-1835 Records visits to the homes of blacks and others to distribute religious tracts.
Mss 9001-A Andrews, John Providence Accounts 1753 Settles accounts with John Mannings for charges including labor of Mannings'   servant Sharper (Nov. 4, 1749).
Mss 9001-A loose vol. Angell, James North Providence Account Book 1816-1821 Includes accounts with Royal Cesar, Peter Ceaser, Samuel Ceaser, Charles   Ceaser and others.
Mss 9001-A loose vol. Angell, John North Providence Account Book 1722-1723 Accounts include Peter Negro and Jack Negro.
Mss 262 Ann Eliza Club Records, 1885-1934. Providence Records 15 Apr 1886 Records of the art and literary society include a copy of a paper (indexed as no. 25) read by Edward Mitchell Bannister, a famous African-American artist from Rhode Island, titled “The Artist and His Critics”.  Bannister was a club member and appears frequently in the body of the records.

  The records also include several lectures that pertain to the Narragansetts, most of them satirical.  They include #46, “A Sojourn in the Narragansett Country,” by G.A. Buffum, September 29, 1887; #209; “The Land of the Ninigrets,” by F.W. Easton, January 18, 1894; #229, “The Wants of Ninigret,” by E. Field, June 21, 1894; and "The Tale of Ninigret," unsigned, 1898 (in box 6, folder 8).
Mss 9001-A Anna, Phillis Glocester Report 21 Apr 1804 Report of Coroner's inquest titled "Inquisition on a black woman" concerns   the death of the wife of Cuffe Anna finding that she died "in a natural way."
Mss 9001-A Anthony, Abraham Portsmouth Accounts  1742-1806 References to people of color are scattered throughout the papers including accounts for making and mending of shoes for "black Sara" and payments recorded to various laborers.
Mss 98 Antoinette Downing Papers, 1926-1986. Research Notes n.d. Includes research notes, mainly newspaper clippings, on opera singer Cisseretta   Jones ("Black Patti") in box 10.
Mss 9001-A Appollo (Brigatine) Newport Accounts 1764-1767 Accounts of cash disbursements include payments to various owners of slaves   for labor.  Slaves are not named individually.
  "To Hannah Manton's Negro 2 days......5-"
Mss 1128 Armington Family Diary 24 Jan 1852 Diary of Hamlin Johnson. - "Went to Mr. DeHuffs gave runaway slave - 20¢"
Mss 1128 Armington Family Memorand-um undated (c1789-1867) Memorandum by Asa W[atson] Armington (c1789-1867), undated.
  "I have heard him speak of Col. Harmon (or "Harrison" A.H.A.), he had some very bad scars about the side and breast which was once shown me, and which injured his health while he lived.  He was taken captive by the Indians in some one of these battles and would have been sacrifieced but for an old squaw's adopting him for her son, as she had lost one in the battle; he was taken by them far inland into the interior of Canada, and there kept for a number of years, when his old Indian mother went down to Montreal she would bring him a little salt tied up in a corner of her nether garment.  He suffered much and after being released from the Indians returned to Phila. blind, brought on by hardship among the snows &c. His eyes were operated on in Philadelphia and then gained his sight, came to this place again and married my aunt."
Mss 1128 Armington Family Rhode Island Memorand-um undated (c1789-1867) "After this my grandfather [Joseph Armington (1731-1817)] lived on a farm directly over India Bridge since known as the Lion Farm at that time belonging to a man of that name formerly a shipmaster from Newport, RI.  My grandfather was superintendent of this farm for 4 years until it was sold.  It was managed by hired help and by slaves. The owner Capt. Lion was then part owner in a large sloop with Capt. Hallet who commanded her and in a passage from Africa to Virginia the slaves became sickly and the sloop came into this river to refit and for supplies and the slaves were landed on the south shore of this farm on Watchemoket Bay on the high bank, . . .
Mss 1128 Armington Family Rhode Island Memorand-um . . .and a tent made from the sails of the sloop adn there kept a number of months and secreted (and my grandmother says one female slave taken out of the lot named Quassiby for Mrs. Lyon's house servant) then in the fall they were reshipped in the same sloop and sent to Virginia and sold.  I have heard this from both my grandparents with a number of anecdotes respecting the slaves, their history &c.&c. Among the slaves was a man named Ceasar of which I have head them speak as a man of talent for a slave."
Mss 9001-A Arnold Family and Greene Family Rhode Island Vital records 21 Dec 1828 A book listing births, deaths and marriages, mostly Arnold and Greene families, includes the "death of Cola, wife of Cuff Waterman, slaves." Age approximately 90.
Mss 9001-A Arnold, Israel Warwick Accounts 1810-1811 Daybook includes accounts with Pero Cheese (April 23, 1811) and Cato    Waterman (July 27, 1811).
Mss 9001-A Arnold, James Cranston Farm Account Book 1799 Farm accounts including payments to Cesar Lockwood (March 17, 1798 - January l, 1799) for cutting wood.
Mss 9001-A loose vol. Arnold, James U. Providence Accounts 1799-1836 Ledger accounts with John Williams, James Low, Tour Humphrey, Prime    Rhodes (accounts credited for his wife's washing), and Cato Mumford.
Mss 9001-A Arnold, Oliver Providence Judgement 22 Jan 1768 Judgement against Sarah Pero "alias Sarah Prince Molatto Woman and Sarah   Green for stealing about seven pounds weight of Indigo of the value of Forty   Shillings."
Mss 9001-A Arnold, Richard (d. 1710) Providence Will 8 Jun 1708 In his last will and testament (June 8, 1708),  his "Negro servent" Toby is    bound to his son, Thomas until age 25 at which time the son is to free him.   Instructions for setting Toby free are also indicated.
Mss 267 Arnold-Holden Family Papers, 1680-1882. Arnold, William Smithfield Papers 1761 These papers include two documents relating to William Arnold's servant, Dinah. A coroner's jury ruling (February 5, 1761) indicates that William Arnold's servant Dinah's infant died by accident. And a bill of sale for Dinah to William Dean of Glocester (March 4, 1761).
Mss 9001-B Bailey, William M. Providence Memorand-um May 1882 Note apparently written by his mother, Jane Keeley, grandaughter of    Providence blacksmith Jacob Whitman, idenitifies Whitman's slaves including   Prince (Priney no Nose), Cato, Pomp, Sisser, Card, Amy, Tullis, Nancy, and   Dorcas.
Mss 9001-B Baley, Thomas Newport Indenture 20 Jul 1768 Indenture of Bathsheba Kim, to Baley from William Coddington of the Town   Council.
Mss 9001-B Barber, Reynolds Exeter Deed c.1780 One half of deed for sale of "Prince."
Mss 9001-B Bayley, William Middletown Will 10 Jan 1770 In his last will and testament, Bailey manumits Prince when his youngest son   reaches the age of twenty one. In the inventory of his estate, Prince is valued at   L l5-0-0.
Mss    11 Benjamin Bourne Papers, 1774-1843. Bristol Bill of sale 31 Jan 1786 Financial records include a bill of sale from Silas Talbot  for Dimbo, his wife,   Sarah and three children (January 31, 1786). Also included in the sale are the   articles of clothing and furniture in their house.
Mss    11 Benjamin Bourne Papers, 1774-1843. Bristol Letter 4 Jan 1795 A letter (January 4, 1795) from Arthur Fenner to Benjamin Bourne introducing   Christopher Harry, a Narragansett Indian, as one of agents appealing to    Congress concerning encroachments on Indian lands in New York.
Mss 112 Benjamin C. Harris Papers Providence Expeditures 1821-1825 Includes accounts with "Pedro, Black Man" (April 28, 1823).
Mss 112 Benjamin C. Harris Papers Providence Ledger A 1828 Accounts with Henry Martin (p.171).
Mss 112 Benjamin C. Harris Papers Providence Day Book 1750-1754 David Harris's Day Book:  Charges against Daniel Wilbor for cash paid to "old Maney negro," March 6,   1752 (p.7).
Mss 112 Benjamin C. Harris Papers Providence Day Book 1784-1814 David Harris's Day Book:  Accounts with Prince Gardner.
Mss 112 Benjamin C. Harris Papers Providence Ledger B 1786-1817 Steven Harris's Accounts with William Clifford (p. 163), Cato Gardner (p.100), Jeremiah Cesar   (p. 61), John French (p.147), Martha and Phebe Hazzard (p.152), Prince Low   (p.188), Thomas Brown (p. 196), Sampson Meads (p.196), Jacob Perce (p.72),   and Samson Hazzard (p.106).
Mss 439 Benjamin T. Chandler Records, 1796-1909. Providence Journal 1796-1800 Records payment to Prince Vaughn.
Mss 439 Benjamin T. Chandler Records, 1796-1909. Providence Account book 1806-1809 (Oversized volume 2) Account book of Benjamin T. Chandler for general store names Scipio Brinton (p. 72), John Corlis, and "Borneo."  Corresponding transactions can be found in the daybook (vol. 1).
Mss 109 Beriah Brown Papers, 1696-1874 Kings/Washington County Family Papers 1746-1792 Papers of Beriah Brown, who served as sheriff of Kings/Washington County   from 1746 to 1792.  Includes an extensive case from 1779, in which a John Rice   of North Carolina bought four slaves in Narragansett, only to discover it was   illegal to move them out of state, at which point Brown was charged with selling   them on Rice's behalf.  There is also a large scrap of paper filed under 1778, on   which Brown drafted a letter to the new government regarding Sipio, his slave,   who had enlisted in the army.  Brown claimed to be "willing to serve his    country" but "wants his boy back". 
Mss 109 Beriah Brown Papers, 1696-1874 Kings/Washington County Family Papers 1746-1792 In 1785, Brown drafted an advertisement for his runaway slave Pomp.    A scrap note from 1786 indicates that Pomp worked in Scituate that year; he   was presumably captured.  Other items include an undated suit regarding a slave   purchased by one Joshua Holmes, who later proved to be free; a deed dated   3/19/1785 from Beriah Brown Jr. to Beriah Brown Sr. of "one certain Negro   named Pero aged about thirty-eight years"; a slave named Jim auctioned off in   the estate of Charles Slocum in 1777; a receipt for "a Negro man named Jack"   purchased by the sheriff in 1774; a 1765 reference to a slave that Beriah Brown   Jr. received; and a 1761 mention of a writ to arrest a "Negro man named   Quacco"; a July 4 1771 warrant against “Seaser, a Negro”, suspected of assault;   and a mention on March 11, 1771, of “Henry Harry, Indian”; a 1770 sentence   of Hannah Sias, "Indian Woman", to be whipped for stealing; and an interesting   1780 case involves an "Indian woman" pauper named Abigail Westcott from   Block Island.  A careful review of the entire collection would undoubtedly yield   more.
Mss 294 Bernon Papers, 1652-1946. Bulk 1687-1885 Rhode Island Letter 8 Dec 1714 Letter to Gabriel Bernon from James Honeyman re: Bernon's gift of a black   woman to his daughter Sarah; with notes in French by Bernon.
Mss 9001-B Bicknell, Japheth North Kingstown Land deeds 1788-1791 Three deeds to Sampson Gardner alias Samson Chaucum, a free black man.
Mss 9001-B Bicknell, Joseph Warren Promissory Note 5 Jul 1819 Promise to pay Nimmo and Churchill "Twenty dollars for Value Recvd."
Mss 9001-B Bishop, Phanuel E. Rhode Island Diary 18 Dec 1862 -  30 Jun 1864 Diary of white lieutenant in 14th Regiment, R.I. Heavy Artillery (Colored) in   the Civil War.
Mss 233 Blackstone Valley Community Action Program Records, 1967-1973. Pawtucket Records 1967-1973 Records of federally funded anti-poverty organization based in Pawtucket, with   a substantial number of Afro-American staff and clients.  0.5 linear feet.
Mss 298 Bliss, George N. Rhode Island Letter 7 Apr 1863 Letter April 7, 1863 to Gerald - "There is a [illegible] of a fuss about niggers and if anyone advocates using niggers on our side he is a "nigger worshipper" fearful epithet, it once had power but after one has become acclimated to rebel shells he dosn't [sic] much fear copperhead bomb shells.  I believe in using the nigger to subdue the rebels as I would use my sabre or horses or a jackass, if he will fight use him as a soldier, if he will work let him dig the trenches and drive the teams.  I believe the Eman. Pro. to be a good war measure and that this summer will demonstrate same."
Mss 9001-B Bonnet, Felix Receipts 27 Nov 1803 Two receipts for the sale of slaves in Havana brought from the coast of Angola on board the Ship Ducalion by captain Felix Bonnet and sold for Simon Poëy & Co. to Gabriel Valdez Navarette, both dated Nov 27, 1803.  Both receipts are written in French.  One receipt is for the sale of 358 slaves and the other for 10 slaves.
Mss 9001-B Borden, Benjamin Tiverton Letters and receipts 1785-1789 Borden's papers contain references to the buying and selling of slaves, traveling   to the West Indies and selling molasses and rum.
Mss 9001-B Borden, John Tiverton Letter 28 Nov 1802 From Edwin Snow, concerning a black girl named Lucy Durfee alias Chace   who is to be sold the following day.
Mss 9001-B Bosworth, Benjamin Sailing orders 1806 There are only two undated single-page documents in this collection.  Both are unsigned drafts of sailing orders to a Capt. Bosworth for voyages to Africa, and give detailed instructions regarding contacts and procedures for procuring slaves.  One describes a certain point on the coast where "you will discover a signal pole at [Seallem?] Point & if the Factory is not destroyed th will be a flage posted white with a cross."  The captain was instructed to "trade by ounces, price from 3 to 4 ounces pr. head", probably in gold.  The orders are believed to have been issued for the 1806 voyage of the brig Lark, which is the only slaving voyage Coughtry cites for any Capt. Bosworth.
Mss 9001-B Bourne, Aaron Bristol Ledger 1729-1749 Physician's accounts with slave-owners whose servants he has treated: Capt. John Newton, Thomas Kinnicutt, Deacon Benjamin Cary, Nathaniel Paine, others.  Some send their servants to work for Bourne to pay off debts, William Walker and others.  Jack Munro appears to be a free person as he has an account in his own name (p.91).  There are also long accounts with "Danel Tungit? Indion" (1739, p.11), "Simon Indian" (1729, p.40), who paid 10 pounds in cash; "Abraham Truck Indion" (1733, p.53), who paid with "your & mothers Negros mowing".
Mss 301 Bowen Family Papers, 1754-1894. Bowen, Ephraim Providence Papers 1754 Papers and accounts kept as the executor of the estate of Peter Mawney include   many references to the blacks owned by Mawney. A 1754 inventory names the   slaves as Primus, Jenny, Prince, Cato, Pero, Rose, and Patience.
Mss 301 Bowen Family Papers, 1754-1894. Bowen, Ephraim Providence Letter 4 Jan 1795 Ephraim Bowen's accounts as Deputy Quartermaster General include payments   to Samboy for painting wagons (July 16, 1777).
Mss 9001-B Briggs, Nathaniel Tiverton Papers 1758-1804 Throughout the accounts and letters are many references to slaves. Examples include, but are not limited to charges against sloop Union for wages of Paul Cuff and Newport (January 1776), Elisha Lawton's accounts for mending shoes for Briggs' servants (May 3, 1773), and an account of the sloop L'amiable which documents 8 negros being paid to help unload the ship (1776).
Mss 9001-B Bristol Insurance Company Bristol Requests 1800-1801 The insurance industry was an integral part of the transatlantic slave trade, though from a discreet distance.  This volume contains copies of approved requests for insurance by shipowners, covering only 1800 and 1801.  The requests usually give some information on the proposed itinerary, and the expected value of the cargo; many are for voyages to Africa.
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 10 Sep 1777 Page 8 - entry for "Tom negro" - "By 1/4 his Wages from the 10th of 11th Mo. 1773 when I gave him a Manumission of 1/4 - to ye 10th of 9th mo. 1777 when the Business at the Works Ceased is 3 years 10 mo and as Somethings are Chd Since paper Money came in use I take out no Loss Time but ye allow the Whole of 70 Dol . . ." On the same page also appear entries for two other men named Yarrow and Newport who are connected to Tom through their wages.
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 9 May 1774 Page 10 - "1774 9 mo. 5 - Notes gave negros - 226 pd and took up".
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1818-1819 Page 18 - Sally or Sarah Holden Cold Woman, 1818-1819.
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1763-1765 Page 23 - Prime Burden Negro, 1763-1765.
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1820-1821 Page 42 - Marge Samuel Cold Woman, 1820-1821.
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1763-1786 Page 44 - Toney Crawford Indian, 1763-1786 "Toney being Poor I dont propose to Demand the Balance Due for Rent."
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1812-1814 Page 47 - Stephen Ceaser colourd Man, 1812-1814
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1812-1825 Page 47 - Faney or Bethany a Coloured Woman, 1812-1825
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1821-1822 Page 50 - Margery Sam Cold  Woman, 1821-1822
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1809 Page 51 - Richard Williams blk Man, 1809
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1825-1827 Page 54 - Faney a Colourd Woman or Bethana or Phaney, 1825-1827
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1832-1834 Page 57 - Bethany a Colourd Woman, 1832-1834
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1763 Page 57 - Yokway Fenner Negro, 1763
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1779-1812 Page 61 - Cudge Negro, 1779-1812 "I paid Doc Barrows for his Doctrine of Cudge in his last Sickness"
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1802 Page 64 - Anthony Browning blk Man, 1802
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1778-1779 Page 77 - Tom negro, 1778-1779
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1778-1779 Page 77 - Yarrow negro, 1778-1779
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1797 Page 77 - Jacob blackman, 1797
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1803-1824 Page 80 and 234 - Joseph Dailey Indian, 1803-1824 "Joseph being deceased I Balance this acct without Calling on his family or Land"
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1785 Page 183 - Charles (Negro), 1785
Mss 313 Brown Moses Providence Ledger 1785 Page 183 - Cloe Angell, negro, 1786-1800
Mss 9001-B Brown, Ceasar East Greenwich Promissory note l4 Apr 1816 Pay to Ephraim Spencer
Mss 9001-B Brown, Joseph E. Rhode Island Pension File no date Pension file of African-American sailor in Civil War
Mss 313  Brown, Moses Providence Description 1723 Box 6, Folder 175: Description of the yellow fever epidemic in 1723 and its effect on the native population in RI.
Mss 313    Brown, Moses Providence Letter 18 Jan 1762 Box 7, Folder 18: (Document #165) Letter of Administration for the estate of Fortin Wiate, Jan. 18, 1762
Mss 313    Brown, Moses Providence Inventory 8 Mar 1762 Box 7, Folder 18: (Document #166) "An Inventory of Fortin Wiate free Negro Mans Estate. . ."  which was worth in pounds 189 - 7 - 0.  Approved by the Town Council March 8, 1762.
Mss 313   Brown, Moses Providence Ledger 1816 Page 183 - Susan Carr, Colourd Woman, 1816
[There are many more entries for people of color in the ledger than listed] 
Mss 9001-B Browne, Esther Newport Declaration of Freedom 5 Jan 1781 Notice that with the payment of $40 from her husband, Sam, Peggy Easton is   released from service and no longer under any obligation to Esther Browne or   her heirs.
Mss 9001-B Budlong, Rebecca Providence Letter 21 May 1858 Anonymous letter from Providence to Thomas Kenney, the editor of the Newark Advertiser in Newark, N.J.,  regarding Rebecca Budlong, who was "in the habit of visiting a colored barbers shop, a place of rendezvous for prostitutes," 5/21/1858.
Mss 321 Burnside, Ambrose E. Rhode Island Correspond-ence 4 Apr 1864 Correspondence sent by Major General Burnside during his service in the Civil War.  Three telegrams sent circa April 4, 1864 to the Adjutant Generals in Columbus, OH; Springfield, IL; and Indianapolis, IN requesting information about the status of the colored regiments and whether the officers had been mustered into service.
  See also the list of correspondence relating to people of color as part of the inventory to his papers.  They often use the term "contraband" in reference to slaves who escaped or were liberated by advancing Union troops.  Those individuals were technically still the property of their owners and so were contraband goods just as other types of "liberated" household goods were contraband.  The list gives the volume and page number and the date of the letter or telegram.
Mss 325 Butler Family Papers, 1753-1846 Providence Accounts 1789-1800 Ledger entries with accounts with Quacco Butler from p. 8 forward.
Mss 9001-C Caesar, John Cranston Deed 1821 Deed for sale of property from Caesar's estate to sons Benjamin, Charles C.,   Peter, Stephen, John and daughter Rhobe Lippitt.
Mss 9001-C loose vol. Cahoone, Charles Newport Passenger Lists 1781-1787 Cahoone operated a packet boat to and from Providence. Records his    passengers, including a few blacks.
Mss 1140        Card Family Newport Papers 1758-1768 and undated Folder 1:   A 1758 bill from Sarah Bull for labor of her "negor man.",  A 1768 account of paying Thomas Townsend for making a coffin for his "negro girl"  An undated receipt for paying a "Black man going with a letter to Senegal 4 1/2 gallons Brandy.."
Mss 1140        Card Family Newport Papers 1758-1768 and undated Folder 2: March 4, 1758, James Card pays Sarah Bull seven pounds for work done on his sloop by her Negor man." January 29, 1760, receipt for payment to Howard Pool for making 2 pairs of shoes for Card's "negroes."  February 20, 1761, receipt for payment from Jonathan Paine to whom Card delivered a "neagor boy" from Boston. October 16, 1763, receipt for two slaves a boy, Nicholaw and a girl, Present from Oliver Ring Warner, a merchant, who buys and sells slaves through Card. Letters, 1770.  In several copies of letters from James Card to Oliver Ring Warner, Card discusses the probability of his being able to     recapture Ring's slave "Newport" who appears to have run away in Honduras.
Mss 9001-C Carder, Randall Warwick Estate 29 Aug 1804 Papers of the estate of Timothy Dailey, a black man. Claimants against    the estate include Bristol Rhodes, Joseph Daily and others.
Mss 9001-C loose vol. Carew, Zabdiel Providence Accounts 12 Nov 1782 Charge to Nathaniel Green for making a coffin "for his Negro woman".  Accounts are written on the back of pages in one of Carew's orderly  book/morning report journals, possibly by someone other than Carew.
Mss 9001-C Carr, Caleb d.1805 Newport Labor records and receipts 1758-1759 Supervising construction of Ft. George, pays Captain William Mumford for labor of Tom, pays John Brown, Jr. for labor of George, and charges the colony for work of his own negro.
Mss 9001-C Carr, Mary Newport Inventory 17 Dec 1746 Her estate inventory names "1 Negro man named Tom, 1 Negro woman named Phillis and Negro child named Violet."
Mss 9001-C Carr, Robert Warwick Order 18 Dec 1666 Order to "Humfumchag Subbondonset, Ehachabbin Quoanoscit" and their associates (formerly associates of Pomham) to cease planting within boundaries of Warwick Plantation.
  Checked by RDS, 2004
Mss 333 Carrington Papers Providence Accounts 1815-1835 In Seaman's Ledger includes accounts with black crewman.
Mss 333 Carrington Papers                                       Series 1, Subseries 1 - Incoming Correspondence (Box 12) Providence Letters 1806-1809 Letter from Benjamin Hoppin & Sons to Edward Carrington
  written June 4, 1807 and received by Carrington in Canton Dec. 14, 1807
   "Benjamin Clifford mentions to our BH Jr. the other day the situation of your property on the Coast of Africa it requires immediate attention or it will be lost as in a very short time our African trade will be entirely at an end & your demand we understand is pay[able?] in slaves."
Mss 333 Carrington Papers                                       Series 5 Providence Accounts 1815-1822 Ledger books for labor done on ships and at Edward Carrington's estate include the names of Anthony Randall, John Stout, Pero, Prince, Prime Bowen, Cupid Bowen, Thomas, Ned, Talbot, Francis, John and others.
Mss 333 Carrington Papers                                       Series 5 Providence Accounts 1817-1818 Ships's Laborer Ledger.  A listing for work done by "Chinese, the white one" for 3 1/2 days for which he was paid $3.
Mss 336 Carter-Danforth Papers, 1722-1929. Bulk 1790-1840. Providence Account Books 1790-1840 Several account books in this collection mention people of color.
Mss 336 Carter-Danforth Papers, 1722-1929. Bulk 1790-1840. Providence Accounts 1768-1775 Lists accounts with subscribers to the Providence Gazette including Tony    Kinnicutt (p. 272), Negro Greenwich (p. 272, 429), and Prince Keen (p. 31)
Mss 336 Carter-Danforth Papers, 1722-1929. Bulk 1790-1840. Providence Journal 1789-1828 Journal of Job Danforth.  Entries include a charge against Jacob Whitman for building "a bunk for Prince   to sleep in" (p.57), accounts with Quacco Butler (p. 83), a felt hat for Hopestill   McNeal's Scipio (p. 87), a coffin for an unidentified blackman of J. Whitman's   (p. l45), and an account for making a coffin for the wife of John Hicks (p.177).
Mss 336 Carter-Danforth Papers, 1722-1929. Bulk 1790-1840. Providence Accounts 1817 Ledger A includes an account kept with John Rogers (black man).
Mss 9001-C Cary, Nathaniel Bristol Accounts 15 Dec 1752 and 25 Jul 1754 Settles accounts with William Bradford for goods delivered to "yr negro"  (December 15, 1752) and accounts with the estate of Nathan Miller including "To your order by Primus" (July 25, 1754).
Mss 341 Channing-Ellery Papers, 1694-1819. Newport Papers 22 Oct 1773 Vol. l, p. 175 : William Ellery of Newport settles accounts with Samuel Hully for "cutting yr   Negro a Jackitt"
Mss 341 Channing-Ellery Papers, 1694-1819. Newport Papers 23 Jun 1786 Vol. 3, p. 109: As commissioner of the Continental Loan Office, William Ellery sold   certificates to Prince Bent, Jehu Quaco and others.
Mss 341 Channing-Ellery Papers, 1694-1819. Newport Papers Aug 1790 Vol. 4, p. 127:  Manne Green is identified in a deposition as a laborer.
Mss 341 Channing-Ellery Papers, 1694-1819. Newport Papers 13 Aug 1790 Vol. 4, p. 129:  Judgement re James Sampson, Indian, of South Kingstown.
Mss 341 Channing-Ellery Papers, 1694-1819. Newport Papers 25 Jan 1802 Vol. 6, p. 51:   Letter from David Howell to William Ellery, mentioning "Black woman Belinda (and) Hammond Tanner a Black man."
Mss 341 Channing-Ellery Papers, 1694-1819. Newport Papers 1799-1819 Vol. 6, pages 35, 37, 43, 71; vol. 7, page 251:  Also correspondence of Newport customs collector William Ellery, discussing slave trade in letters dated 10/15/1799, 11/1/1799, 1/3/1801, 3/4/1805.  Letters dated 9/4 and 9/5/1819 discuss a Portuguese schooner caught near Bristol which was fitted out for the slave trade.
Mss 191 Charlestown Town Papers Charlestown Bond 7 Jan 1793 "Bond as guardian to James Davis Negro and his Estate to leting up two   notifications for all that have any tradings with said James, to come to us for   settlement, and to trade with James no more."
Mss 9001-C Christ Church (Episcopal) Providence Records 1841-1851 One of the first African-American Episcopal churches in the country.    A June 1849 letter from Prince Loveridge questions the placing of a white   clergyman in the church. He writes, " ...that a Colored minister would do more   for that people than the most talented white man that can be found. "
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Papers 1700-1761 Champlin was a Newport merchant who invested occasionally in the slave trade.  These records include records for supplying the slave schooner Adventure from 1763-1774; labor accounts for slaves hired out by Champlin to other masters; and the 1762 bill of sale of a slave named  Bristow Rhodes.   There are also several folders of deeds and depositions dated 1700-1761 relating to an estate dispute among the Narragansetts, for which Champlin served as Thomas Ninigret's trustee.
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Deed 4 Dec 1712-18 Jun 1731 "Deed of land to Christopher Champlin from the Committee Appointed to Assist Ninnegret in Disposing Some of his Lands."
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Deposition 18 Oct 1752 Deposition of Jonathan Kinyon of Charlestown, Richmond, regarding a deed of land from George Ninegrett.
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Estate 1754-1755 Accounts with the estate of Thomas Ninigret with renters listed, including "Negro William" and William Mustee
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Accounts 1757 Privateer brigatine George accounts with Joseph Hull, Cuff Godfrey, Prince Lillibridge.  Crew list includes "negro amas," Thomas Atwood's "negro  Scipio," and James Tosh
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Crew lists 1758 Privateer Brigatin George crew list includes Obediah Cezar, Ebenezer Cezar,   Ned Stoddard, Cezar Steven, Boston Malbone, Jack Bowler, Cezar Malbone,   Ben Negro, Prince Gould
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Account 10 Jul 1760 Peleg Thurston's accounting of includes charge for labor of "my negro"
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Letter 29 Oct 1762 Samuel Moss to Capt. John Peck, Newport. Re: slaving voyage.
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Letter 8 Nov 1762 "Saml Chace to Mr Champlin."  Re: shares in the Privateer Speedwell due  Chace via. his servant Cesar Chase or Cesar Fry.
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Crew List 1766 "Bristol Champlin, slave" appears on crew lists, schooner Adventure
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Account 1770 Jeremiah Phillips account includes making shoes for "Your negro woman"
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Crew List 1771 "Tosh" (or Tack) Sisson appears on crew list for sloop Adventure
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Account 1773 "Ephraim Meves--Mulatto seaman" is carreid in account books of sloop  Adventure.  I also see "Frank, servant to Doctor Eyres" same volume.
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Letter 25 Dec 1774 Prince Miller, runaway, staved away on a ship to Philadelphia.  See Henry Gardner's letter of December 25, 1774
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Accounts 1775 Accounts of his ship Peggy, includes names of Hicks, James Carr and Sirlone   Jepson
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Crew List 1794 Quash Vernon appears on crew list snow Elizabeth
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Manumissi-on 11 Jun 1796 George, Irish - Manumission of Will  June 11, 1796  Will, a black man, bought his freedom.
Mss 20 Christopher Champlin Papers, 1700-1840. Newport Deed 11 Aug 1762 Deed from Simon Rhodes of Stonington Conn. to Christopher Champlin of Newport, August 11 1762, of "one certain negro man about thirty years of age known by the name of Bristow Rhodes."  In "Financial Records, Misc." folder in box 9.
Mss 406 Christopher Ellery Papers, 1791-1825. Newport Deed of sale 26 Oct 1796 In his copybook, 1795-99, he recorded a deed of sale of Stephen (born in  Georgia) and Benjamin (born on Block Island) to Benoni Hill. These are the children of a Mulatto woman named Minta. Minta is the servant of Catherine and Miller (nee Greene).
Mss 1127 Clark/Church Family Papers Rhode Island Letter 26 Feb 1807 Letter from Joseph Clark to his wife Mary (Foster) Clark dated Feb. 26, 1807 from Savannah:  "My Sailors & Cook have letters from their friends - My Mate Mr. Hopkins found a letter here from his Wife, all my people - even my cook, although he is a very Dark sind Man had a letter."
Mss 351 Clarke Family Papers, 1676-1914. Newport Account Book 1771-1779 Vol. 1, Account book, 1771-1779:  Accounts with Ethan Clarke include Quaco Ward of Westerly (p.101), James   Shote - Indian soldier, (p.143) and possibly other people of color.
Mss 351 Clarke Family Papers, 1676-1914. Newport Diary 1829 Box 1, Diary of Celia Clarke, 1829 :  Includes extensive descriptions of work done by servants, who were   undoubtedly Afro-American. Their names included John, Prince, Judy and   Caesar.