Rick Stattler, June 24, 2004; updated by Jennifer L. Galpern, August 1, 2018; December 12, 2023
The historical study of marginalized groups always presents a challenge to the researcher. The ruling classes leave behind great masses of letters, diaries, business records, books, and newspapers, and store them in their sturdy attics and counting houses for the benefit of future generations. Those on the outside are less likely to be literate, less likely to leave a written record, and much less likely to pass down that written record through several generations. Researchers looking for the diaries and memoirs left by the early Narragansett people will be disappointed. No diaries of Rhode Island slaves are known to survive, if they ever existed at all. In some ways, however, these stories can be told through the distorting lens of the records left by the ruling classes. Many thousands of passing references in account books, court records, letters and diaries are waiting for careful interpretation by the historian.
This guide describes a variety of sources in the R.I.H.S. Manuscripts Division relating to people of color. These sources include references to individuals identified as being of African, American Indian or Asian descent, as well as general discussions of broader topics such as slavery or racial discrimination.
These sources have not been gleaned in an systematic manner. Essentially, the Manuscripts Division staff has taken note of anything relating to people of color that they noticed in the course of their work, and collected these notes in a single document. Harold Kemble began assembling these notes in the 1980s, and subsequent staff have expanded upon his work. Many of these early references are now difficult to find because the documents have been recataloged. In 1998, Amy Lappin attempted to track down each of these documents, and record its proper current catalog number. In a few cases, she was unable to find the document that Kemble referred to, which is noted in the text. Those documents may have been miscataloged in the intervening years, or perhaps some of the original descriptions were inaccurate.
The guide is laid out alphabetically by collection name, using the last name when it is the collection of a family or an individual. When papers are part of the miscellaneous manuscripts collection the name is written last name, first name. The "MSS" number is the catalog number, which should help the staff locate the original document. The dates following the collection name indicate the span of years the collection encompasses. Dates following a person's name and in parentheses are birth and death dates.
This guide should be considered a working draft
| Call # | Collection Title | Document Type | Date | Location | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mss 252 Folder: Addeman Civil War, 1863-1866 | Addeman, Joshua Papers | Correspondence | 21 Jul 1865 | Fort Butler - Donaldsonville, LA | Addeman was a captain in 14th Regiment, R.I. Heavy Artillery (Colored). His papers include an excellent letter dated 7/21/1865 regarding one of his soldiers, Private General Green, being used as a servant without authorization. | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 2 Folder 2: Preservation Photocopies (Also available on Microfilm E 185.93 .R4 M4) | African Union Society | Proceedings | 10 Nov 1796 | Newport | 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 938 sg 3, Box 1 Folder 14: 1963 & Folder 16: 1965 | Aldrich, Winthrop W. and Harriet Papers | Correspondence | 1963 & 1965 | Providence | The Aldrich's' papers include letters from their son Alexander Aldrich (white) dated 9/3/1963 and 4/7/1965 detailing his experiences in civil rights marches. The 1965 letter mentions meeting Martin Luther King Jr. | 14 ledgers | |
| Mss 9001-A Box 3 | Allen, Benjamin (1652-1723) | Sale | 9 June 1704 | Rehoboth | Front: "Bee it Known unto all men by these presents that I Benjamin Allen of the Town of Rehoboth in the County of Bristoll in her Majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England yeoman have barganed and sould, and by these presents doe bourgen and sell Alien and make over unto Thomas Allen of the Town of Swanzey in the County of Bristoll aforesaid yeoman his heirs Executors Administrators and Assignes for the sume of thirty six pounds currint mony Received and [secured] one Negro boye named Felix To have and to holed and quietly posses and Enjoy to the proper use and behoof of him the said Thomas Allen his heirs and Assigns According to the Consideration of A Negrow Slave during his Naturall Life In Witnes whearof I have here unto set my hand and seall this ninth day of June in the Third year of her Majes Reigne Queen Anne over England Scotland France & Ireland Anno Dom One Thousand seven hundred and four. Benjamin Alen Signed, Sealed, and delivered in the presence of us witnesses Elizabeth Allen [&] John Brown Bristol SS Memorandom that on the day and year above named then in Rehoboth the above said Benjamen Allen the sinener and sealer hereof personally appeard and acknowledged this Instrument to be his free and vollentary Act and ded according to Law -- [Cosam?] John Brown Justice of Peace." Back: "June the 9th 1704 Then Received of the within named Thomas Allen the sume of Ten pounds currint mony I say Received by me Benjamen Allen" | ||
| Mss 254 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 8: 1871-1879 | Allen, Zachariah Papers | Correspondence | 1877 | Providence | Letters relating to his publication of an essay on “Treatment of Indians”. | ||
| Mss 254 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 5: 1850-1859 | Allen, Zachariah Papers | Note | 10 Dec 1854 | Providence | A note in the correspondence file reads in its entirety "Ponto died this morning-age about l4 years. A good and faithful friend and servant." | ||
| Mss 254 Series 2: Subjects, Box 1 | Allen, Zachariah Papers | Narrative | Providence | Includes: "The Age of Stone of New England Indians", n.d.; Appendix- King Philip's War, c.1876; Indians, 1881 | |||
| Mss 254 Series 7, Box 8, Folder 4: Account Book of Eliza Allen | Allen, Zachariah Papers | Accounts | 1817-1823 | Providence | In which Eliza Allen records the sums she paid her servants. | ||
| Mss 254 Series 7, Box 8, Folder 5: Journal of Eliza Allen | Allen, Zachariah Papers | Diary | 1837 | Providence | Written while visiting her brother's plantation in Georgia. "I took my Bible and walked to the plantation as it is called, the rows of negro houses. Today one can see them all as they are in the field in the morning of week days and towards evening they are at work for themselves. I first read to Mam Kate an excellent old woman and as I explained to her the passages of the Bible I felt that I could learn much more from her than I could impart. She is humble, contented and cheerful, and constantly relies upon her heavenly father for every blessing & feels that she has many..." [4/16/1837]. Several visits like this are made. | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 5 Folder: Administrators 1767-1802 | Allen/Allin, Capt. Zachariah | Receipt | 1 Oct 1796 | Providence | Capt. Zachariah Allen with Samuel Nightingale. Payment from Newport Tew for his services in burying Capt. Joseph Crawford. | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 5 Folder: Papers 1766-1799 | Allen/Allin, Thomas | Papers | 1790 & 1795 | Barrington | Thomas Allen (1742-1800) 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." (pg.68) |
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| Mss 29 Loose Vol. 1 | Almy & Brown Records | Accounts | 1791-1792 | Providence | Entries of accounts for Bristol Rhodes July 13, 1791, Cudge (Brown) July 16, 1791 and March 27, 1792, and Primus Brown. | ||
| Mss 29 Loose Vol. 4 | Almy & Brown Records | Accounts | 1793-1794 | Providence | 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 Loose Vol. 25 | Almy & Brown Records | Accounts | 1789-1790 | Providence | 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 Loose Vol. 67 | Almy & Brown Records | Accounts | 1785-1790 | Providence | Accounts of store purchases and services, include the names of Primus Hopkins, Brister Rhodes (he & wife spin yarn), Phillis Alderedy, wife of Prince for an agreement to spin warps, Prince Cushing, Marcy Alderedy, Cudge Brown and others. | ||
| Mss 29 Loose Vol. 74 | Almy & Brown Records | Accounts | 1789 | Providence | Accounts for spinning containing the names of people of color including Marcy Alderedy, Phebey Shaw, and Providince Brown, among others. | ||
| Mss 29 Box 4 Folder Correspondence, 1800.7-9 | Almy & Brown Records | Correspondence | 11 Sept 1800 | Providence | Letter 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 Box 6 | Almy, Job | Agreement | 24 Aug 1773 | Bedford | "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..." | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 6 | Almy, Samuel | Will | 27 Sep 1763 | Tiverton | Will of Samuel Almy. "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 Box 6 Folder 1 of 5: Misc. Papers, 1775 - 1834 & n.d. | Almy, William | Correspondence | 30 Jul 1793, 12/13 Dec 1796 | Providence | William Almy (1716-1836) of Providence. Letter - July 30 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..." Letter - Dec 12 & 13 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 257 | American Citizenship Campaign Records | Lists | 1917-1919 | Rhode Island | The American Citizenship Campaign (1917-1919) 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 town of residence, including several lists of Chinese-Americans. | ||
| Mss 927 | American Tract Society Records | Records | 1832-1835 | Providence | Detailed reports and statistics regarding distribution of Christian tracts in the Fifth Ward of Providence. | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 8 Folder: John [Meanings] Account, 1749 - 1753 | Andrews, John | Accounts | 4 Nov 1749 | Providence | Settles accounts with John Mannings for charges including labor of Mannings' servant Sharper (Nov. 4, 1749). | ||
| Mss 261 Series 1 Zephaniah Andrews Papers Box 1 Folder 2: Account Book 1761-1776 | Andrews, John Papers | Accounts | 1776 | Providence | Accounts for hospital boarding of patients including Binah Cook, Primas Brown, Patience Brown, Patience Foster, Jackson - Negro girl, and Nimbel Nightingale. | ||
| Mss 261 Series 2 Eddy & Andrews Papers Box 2, Folder 5: Day Book 1807-1810 | Andrews, John Papers | Day Book | 1 Sep 1809 | Providence | Page 233 Sept. 1, 1809 "Black Body to 1/2 peck lime 12 1/2 [cents] " | ||
| Mss 9001-A Loose Vol. 1816-1821 | Angell, James | Account Book | 1816-1821 | North Providence | Loose Vol. 1816-1821: Includes accounts with Royal Cesar, Peter Ceaser, Samuel Ceaser, Charles Ceaser and others. | ||
| Mss 9001-A Loose Vol. Accounts 1722 - 1723 | Angell, John | Account Book | 1722-1723 | North Providence | Accounts include Peter Negro and Jack Negro. | ||
| Mss 262 | Ann Eliza Club Records | Records | 1885-1934 | Providence | Records of the art and literary society. The records mention Edward Mitchell Bannister (a famous African-American artist from Rhode Island, who was a member), including a lecture of his and several lectures that pertain to the Narragansetts, most of them satirical. See list below. | ||
| Mss 262 Series 1, Box 1 Folder 25 | Ann Eliza Club Records | Lecture | 15 Apr 1886 | Providence | #25 “The Artist and His Critics”, by Edward Mitchell Bannister | ||
| Mss 262 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 46 | Ann Eliza Club Records | Lecture | 29 Sept 1887 | Providence | #46 “A Sojourn in the Narragansett Country,” by George A. Buffum | ||
| Mss 262 Series 1, Box 3, Folder 209 | Ann Eliza Club Records | Lecture | 18 Jan 1894 | Providence | #209 “The Land of the Ninigrets,” by Frederick W. Easton | ||
| Mss 262 Series 1, Box 3, Folder 229 | Ann Eliza Club Records | Lecture | 21 June 1894 | Providence | #229 “The Wants of Ninigret,” by Edward Field | ||
| Mss 262 Series 3, Box 6, Folder 8: The Dredge, 1898 (#15) | Ann Eliza Club Records | Essay | 1898 | Providence | "The Tale of Ninigret", "written by the author" | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 10 | Anna, Phillis | Report | 21 Apr 1804 | Glocester | Inquiry into the death of Phillis Anna, a black woman in the town of Gloucester, 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 Box 10 Folders: 1- Fragile Account books, late 18th C. 2- Papers, 1742 - 1800 | Anthony, Abraham | Accounts | 1742-1806 | Portsmouth | 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 9001-A Box 11 | Appollo (Brigantine) | Accounts | 1764-1767 | Newport | Accounts of cash disbursements include payments to various owners of slaves for labor. Slaves are not named individually. "1764 Oct 21st To pd Widow James Negro 2days Work £5" "1764 Oct 21st To Widow Thurstons Negro 2 days att 50/ £5" "1764 Dec 21st To Hannah Wanton's Negro 2 days £5" "1764 Dec 21st To Esther Sanford do 2 do [negro 2 days] £5" "1765 Jan 7th To Lidia Rodman Negros work £16.10" "1765 Jan 22nd To Ruth Thurstons Bill Negros Work 2 days £5" "1765 June 13 To Fish 52/ 42pd Oakum Frosts negro at 7/ £17..6 "1765 June 18 To Elisha Sherman's Negro 2 days £5" "1765 June 28th To Andrew Hunter's Negro 3 days £7.10" See tab for APPOLLO following the Index for a full transcription. |
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| Mss 1128 Box 1, Folder 1 | Armington Family Papers | Diary | 24 Jan 1852 | Diary of Hamlin Johnson. - "Went to Mr. DeHuffs gave runaway slave - 20¢" | |||
| Mss 1128 Box 1, Folder 5 | Armington Family Papers | Memorandum | undated | Memoirs on Family History by Asa Watson Armington (c1789-1867), undated. Examples: "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." "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, . . ." "Among the slaves was a man named Ceasar of which I have head them speak as a man of talent for a slave." |
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| MSS 265 Box 1 Folder 4 | Armstrong, Elijah Papers | Account | 20 Oct 1791 | Glocester | "Gloucester October [20th] AD 1791 Conditions of Sail for selling Samuel Joseph a Negro Boy who was convicted for stealing two Horses from Asa Willmarth and ordered to be sold by Timothy Willmarth Samuel Winsor Esqr who was the justice that sat on the Cort and ordered the said Samuel Joseph to be sold to pay the cost & Damage which is [tallied?] at £12.0.5 the conditions of sail is that the person who will bid the aforesaid sum for the smallest term of time shall be the purchaser [torn] takes Lawful possession...." [Document is torn and only an upper fragment has survived.] | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 15 | Arnold Family and Greene Family | Vital records | 21 Dec 1828 | Rhode Island | 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 862 Box 1, Folder 5: Arnold Green | Arnold, Frances Rogers Papers | Biographical Sketch | 1904 | Providence | Biographical Sketch prepared by his sister Frances M. G. Wayland for T.F. Green. Mentions incident with Daniel G. Browning on pages 72 - 76, and it's aftermath. | ||
| Mss 862 Box 1 Folder 8: Cornelia E. Green | Arnold, Frances Rogers Papers | Biographical Sketch | 1898 | Providence | Biographical sketch (1898) by Frances Wayland, includes reference (p. 150-) to1856 incident in which their manservant, Daniel went mad and assaulted Chloe the chambermaid. Daniel was the son of their cook. Chloe had a family in Fall River. The sketch also identifies William Forrest who was brought north as Tristam Burges' servant and worked for the Arnold family for thirty years. | ||
| Mss 862 Box 2: 14 John Street Bills Paid, 1827-1852 | Arnold, Frances Rogers Papers | Receipts | 1849-1859 | Providence | Receipts for wages paid by the family of Frances Rogers Arnold to Daniel G. Browing, Butler at 14 John Street from 1849-1852. Receipt numbers: 4911.01, 5011.01, 5102.01, 5106.01, 5109.01, 5112.01, 5204.01, 5206.01, 5209.01, 5212.01 | ||
| Mss 862 Box 2: 14 John Street Bills Paid, 1827-1852 & Box 3: 14 John Street Bills Paid, 1853-1865 | Arnold, Frances Rogers Papers | Receipts | 1849-1859 | Providence | Receipts for wages paid by the family of Frances Rogers Arnold to Louisa R. Johnson a servant for the family during 1849-1859. Receipts for payments are date coded, ie 4904.28 + April 28, 1849. Folders are arranged by Months/Year. Receipts to Louisa R. Johnson: 4904.28, 4910.24, 5207.31, 5309.20, 5312.19, 5402.06, 5406.20, 5408.01, 5409.30 (This is a receipt to a Dr. Charles W. Parsons for visits to see Louisa), 5411.20, 5505.26, 5507.28, 5507.30, 5610.08, 5611.12, 5703.05, 5704.03, 5712.02, 5801.01, 5803.05, 5804.30, 5807.02, 5807.02, 5808.12, 5810.02, 5811.10, 5811.13, 5812.03, 5902.14 (Another payment to Dr. Parsons), 5904.29. For more information about Louisa R. Johnson see the entry for the Saint John's Guild (MSS 9001-S). | ||
| Mss 862 Box 3: 14 John Street Bills Paid, 1853-1865 | Arnold, Frances Rogers Papers | Receipts | 1849-1859 | Providence | Receipts for wages paid by the family of Frances Rogers Arnold to Content Browning, Cook at 14 John Street from 1853-1856. Receipt numbers: 5311.09, 5401.30, 5403.13, 5405.01, 5405.27, 5406.20, 5407.31, 5410.06, 5410.23, 5501.01, 5502.19, 5503.12, 5504.23 (2), 5505.08, 5507.24, 5510.17, 5510.20, 5510.22, 5512.17, 5602.01, 5605.05, 5606.07, 5606.28 (on same slip as son Daniel G. Browing), 5609.27 | ||
| Mss 862 Box 3: 14 John Street Bills Paid, 1853-1865 | Arnold, Frances Rogers Papers | Receipts | 1849-1859 | Providence | Receipts for wages paid by the family of Frances Rogers Arnold to Daniel G. Browing, Butler at 14 John Street from 1853-1856. He was the son of Content Browning. On June 28, 1856 he "became violently insane and attempted to kill the chambermaid, Chloe". An account of the incident can be found in the biographical sketch of Cordelia Green mentioned above as well as in the sketch of Arnold Green mentioned below. Receipt numbers: 5311.18, 5403.01, 5405.01, 5604.14, 5606.07, 5606.28 | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 12 Folder: Daybook, 1810 - 1811 | Arnold, Israel | Accounts | 1810-1811 | Warwick | Daybook includes accounts with Pero Cheese (April 23, 1811) and Cato Waterman (July 27, 1811). | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 12 Folder: James Arnold, of Cranston | Arnold, James | Account Book | 1798-1799 | Cranston | Farm Account Books, 1756 - 1812 (4 vols) include payments to Cesar Lockwood (March 17, 1798 - January l, 1799) for cutting wood. | ||
| Mss 83 | Arnold, James N. Papers | Manuscript | 1879-1896 | Providence | A copy of a manuscript by Arnold titled, "The Honor of a State; or the Faithless Guardian, a Story of Monstrous Wrong," a narrative account of efforts of developers to swindle land from the Narragansett nation from 1879-1896. | ||
| Mss 269 Box 1 Folder 1 | Arnold, James Utter Collection | Accounts | 1799-1836 | Providence | Ledger accounts with John Williams, James Low, Tour Humphrey, Prime Rhodes (accounts credited for his wife's washing), and Cato Mumford. | ||
| Mss 9001-A Box 14 Folder: Misc. Papers 1763 - 1804. | Arnold, Oliver | Judgement | 22 Jan 1768 | Providence | 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 74 Box 1, Folder 5: Loose Accounts, 1800-1804 | Arnold, Perry Greene Papers | Bill | 28 Feb 1803 | Exeter/Tiverton/East Greenwich | To Jack Brusto for shoes and stockings purchased by Arnold |
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| *Mss 74 | Arnold, Perry Greene Papers | Papers | 1802-1821 | Exeter/Tiverton/East Greenwich | Justice of the Peace warrant for arrest of John Brusto for desertion from brigantine Betsey (November 29, 1802) |
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| *Mss 74 | Arnold, Perry Greene Papers | In book titled "Account Labour" (1818-1821) is a record of payment to Jack Gardiner for "3/4 wall on bur(y)ing Ground" (September 30, 1820) and "2 days on high way Warwick" (September 28 and 29, 1821) along with records of payments made to other men. | |||||
| Mss 74 Box 2 Folder 12: Indentures, 1801-1804 | Arnold, Perry Greene Papers | Certificate of Indenture | 19 Nov 1804 | East Greenwich | 2 Certificates of apprenticeship for (1) black Man called Zebida Briggs & (1) black man called Henry Briggs. | ||
| Mss 74 Box 2, Folder 7: Log Book Sloop Providence, 1798-1799 | Arnold, Perry Greene Papers | Log Book | 1798-1799 | The ship hired on a few "negroes" as laborers while in Surinam. | |||
| Mss 9001-A Box 14 | Arnold, Richard | Will | 8 Jun 1708 | Providence | Richard Arnold, d. 1710: 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 32 | Arnold, Richard James Papers | Papers | Providence and Georgia | Papers of a Rhode Islander who bought a plantation in Bryan County, Georgia in 1823, and spent his winters there until his death in 1873. A full biography of Arnold was published in 1988: North by South: The Two Lives of Richard J. Arnold by Charles and Tess Hoffman (University of Georgia Press). The papers include frequent commentary on southern slave life. | |||
| Mss 32 Box 1, Folder: Letters, 1736-1838 | Arnold, Richard James Papers | Correspondence | 21 Oct 1838 | Providence and Georgia | Letter by a female slave who was working in Tallahassee, Florida. See the letter dated October 21 1838 from "your obedient servant Jenny" to "my Master." Comments on religion, sends greetings to "Mistress," also writes "Samson, George, Abram & Morris, remember to serve the Lord, you know you have to die, remember my love to the whole Plantation of People... Prince use me well." | ||
| Mss 32 Box 1, Folder: Letters, 1841-1842 | Arnold, Richard James Papers | Correspondence | 22 Aug 1841 | Providence and Georgia | Another slave, Amos Morel, wrote from Savannah: in part: "I wants to beg you to get me a watch for about ten or twelve dollars... when you return I will settle with you... Mr. Harris has paid two months wages since you left." | ||
| Mss 32 Box 1, Folder: Letters, 1843-1845 | Arnold, Richard James Papers | Correspondence | 18 July 1843 | Providence and Georgia | Morel writes: "Dear Master I have made up my mind to take a wife and partner for life and I would ask your consent. I have the consent of both the girl and her mistress. Mrs. Ward is the lady to whom she belongs, her name is Mary... If you would buy her she is a good house made and a very good seamstress. I have been employed by the Iron St. Bo Co about 2 weeks but I cannot tell how long it will last." | ||
| Mss 32 Box 1, Folder: Letters, 1843-1845 | Arnold, Richard James Papers | Correspondence | 29 Aug 1845 | Providence and Georgia | Morel writes again from Savannah asking not to be sent back to plantation work: "if I was for to go out in the country I would have no chance whatever dear Master for to provide for myself and family... Cousin Sam is as capable of running the mill as I am." Adds that he is convinced his brother Tom did not steal money from Arnold. | ||
| Mss 32 Box 1, Folder: Letters, 1850-1855 | Arnold, Richard James Papers | Correspondence | 20 June 1852 | Providence and Georgia | Morel wrote from Arnold's plantation, "I have had to break William of his drivership and have given him his hoe... [William] gets along very badly with his work on account of having too many favorits in the field. I have put big Peter in his place to drive... The carpenters are getting along very badly with their work, they have not got the flat house done as yet. I am satisfied that it would be to your interest to get some white person to take charge of the work... am fearful that the mill will not be repaired time enough to receive the rice." Other letters from Morel are dated 6/22/1852, 6/2/1853, 10/9/1853, 5/7/1854, 6/17/1854. | ||
| Mss 75 Series 2: Estate Records Box 1, Folder 15: Loose Records, 1824-1826 | Arnold, Stephen Papers | Bill | 6 July 1824 | East Greenwich | Stephen Arnold Estate. Receipted bill July 6, 1824 from J. Miller includes "pair of shoes for your black woman." | ||
| Mss 75 Series 3: Financial Records Box 2, Folder 7: 1820 | Arnold, Stephen Papers | Accounts | Jan 1820 | East Greenwich | Accounts with Howland Greene settled in 1820 include charge for passage on brigantine Lydia and Margaret of Perry Greene Arnold's "black boy" accompanying Sarah Arnold from East Greenwich to Tiverton and back in 1817. | ||
| Mss 75 Series 3 Financial Records Box 2, Folder 15: Labor Account Book, 1805-1821 | Arnold, Stephen Papers | Labor Accounts | 1805-1821 | East Greenwich | Pay to farm laborers including Cuf Spencer and Jack Gardiner. | ||
| Mss 75 Series 3 Financial Records Box 2, Folder 16: Labor Account Book, 1823 | Arnold, Stephen Papers | Labor Accounts | 1823 | East Greenwich | Ledger account with Rachel Budlong, "a colerd woman." | ||
| Mss 75 Series 3 Financial Records Box 2, Folder 18: Account Records, 1816-1822 | Arnold, Stephen Papers | Labor Accounts | 1816-1822 | East Greenwich | Wharf book includes record of payments to Jack Gardner, Nat Moore and others. | ||
| *Mss 75 | Arnold, Stephen Papers | Estate Inventory | 1734??? | East Greenwich | Inventory of his estate includes "one negro girl" | ||
| Mss 71 Series 1, Subseries 2: Oversized Vol. 2: Ledger 1774-1788 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1776-1778 | East Greenwich | Ledger accounts include: Prince Greene (p. 170), Prince Hammon (p. 168, 191, 196), Jack Gardner (p. 225 missing), Pomp Mumford (p. 168), Yorke Champlin (p. 168), Jack Champlin (p. 168), Peter Daley (p. 168), Titus Peirce (p. 168), Newport Champlin (p. 168), Lonnon Hall (p. 168, 206), Leminel Allin (p. 168, 191), Ruben Spencer (p. 168), Plato Vandoren (p. 189) | ||
| *Mss 71 | Arnold, William Papers | Papers | Sep 1796, Feb 1797, May 1797 | East Greenwich | Sloop Providence papers for voyage to West Indies with crew including Samuel Sambo and possibly Freeborn Johnson is black | ||
| Mss 71 Series 1, Subseries 2: Business Accounts, Box 1, Folder 13: Accounts with Spinners, 1811 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1811 | East Greenwich | John Gardner, came to work, November 26, 1811; Mary black woman, came to work October 29, 1811 | ||
| *Mss 71 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1811-1813 | East Greenwich | Daybook of innkeeper, accounts with Abraham Pero, 1812 and Jack Gardner, 1812 | ||
| Mss 71 Series 2, Subseries 2, Box 5, Folder 10: Ledger 1783-1813 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1783-1813 | East Greenwich | Accounts with Julious Fry (p. 307), John Gardner (p. 311-312), Prince Ingraham (1784, p.61), Philer Philips (1789-93, p. 300), Prince Hammon (1785-88, p. 191, 240), Plato Vandoram (1784-85, 60, 78, 180) | ||
| Mss 71 Series 2, Subseries 2, Box 5, Folder 11: Ledger 1786-1798, 1799-1807 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1786-1807 | East Greenwich | Accounts with Prince Greene for purchases including violin strings (1792, p. 209); Black Tom Arnold bought rum (1798); Ben Lippitt (1799-1803, p. 343) buying strings. | ||
| Mss 71 Series 1, Subseries 2, Box 1, Folder 8: Loose Accounts 1790-1794 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1790 | East Greenwich | Settlement of accounts with Pomp Mumford "by your share of fish caught" -maybe was a crew person on a fishing boat. | ||
| *Mss 71 | Arnold, William Papers | Bill | Feb 1797 | East Greenwich | Portege bill in Providence includes Samuel Sambo, crewman | ||
| Mss 71 Series 2, Subseries 2, Box 3, Folder 8: Loose Accounts 1797-1798 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 23 May - 11 May 1797 | East Greenwich | Settlement of accounts with Sam Sambo Hill for sundry goods and cash | ||
| Mss 71 Series 2, Subseries 2, Box 3, Folder 9: Loose Accounts 1799 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 18 June - 19 Oct 1799 | East Greenwich | James Sweet settles accounts for shoes made for Moses, Alce, Margaret and others | ||
| *Mss 71 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1799-1801 | East Greenwich | In his business journal he records store charges against Black Tom Arnold | ||
| Mss 71 Series 1, Subseries 2, Box 1, Folder 11: Loose Accounts 1806-1816 | Arnold, William Papers | Receipt | Jul 1809 | East Greenwich | Receipt for payment to Drinham & Hawkins for advertising notice of his "runaway servant" | ||
| *Mss 71 | Arnold, William Papers | Accounts | 1819 | East Greenwich | Accounts with laborers working on their ship Commodore Perry, names Cato Northrup | ||
| Mss 267 Series I: "Scrapbook 1" Folder 13 | Arnold-Holden Papers | Legal Order | 20 Aug 1750 | Warwick | Order to Randall Holden, constable of the town of Warwick, to apprehend any person breaking the customs of the "Lord's day", or any "Indians and Negroes that you shall find in break of the laws…", Aug. 20, 1750 | ||
| Mss 267 Series I: "Scrapbook 1" Folder 8 | Arnold-Holden Papers | Indenture | 21 May 1740 | Warwick | Indenture between Thomas Chease "an Indian man" and Capt. Charles Holden, May 21, 1740 | ||
| Mss 267 Series II: "Scrapbook 2" Folder 14 | Arnold-Holden Papers | Legal Document | 10 Feb 1755 | Warwick | Authorization for Col. Randall Holden (1694-1766) to administer estate of Isaac Setux, "an Indian man deceased", Feb. 10, 1755 | ||
| Mss 267 Series III: Arnold Family Documents Folder 17 Deeds, 1715-1761 | Arnold-Holden Papers | Papers | 4 Mar 1761 | Smithfield | William Arnold (1695-1766). Bill of sale for "one Negro woman names Dinah" to William Dean of Glocester, March 4, 1761 | ||
| Mss 267 Series III: Arnold Family Documents Folder 18 Judgements, depositions, inquests, 1715-1766 | Arnold-Holden Papers | Papers | 5 Feb 1761 | Smithfield | William Arnold (1695-1766). Inquiry into the death of his servant Dinah's infant. A coroner's jury ruling (February 5, 1761) indicates that the infant died by accident. | ||
| Microfilm E445 R4 Part 2, Reel 1 Mss 19 | Babbitt, Jacob Papers | Papers | 1790-1810 | Bristol | Babbitt, a Bristol native who invested heavily in the slave trade between about 1790 and 1810. His papers include correspondence and financial records. Finding aid available in the Manuscripts division. In the Commercial Bank check book (Volume 7) there are 2 entries for a man named Cuffee Collins: "No. 107, 1 mo. pay Brig M.P. v. no 2 in Co. 2d March [1818], 12-"Which translates as Cuffee Collins being paid $12 for one month advanced wages with Check Number 107 for work on board the Brig Mount Pleasant during its second voyage for Jacob Babbitt and Company. The next entry is Check 239 which paid Cuffee Collins his wages in full for work on board the Brig Mount Pleasant during her second voyage, dated 1 July 1818 for $32.76. | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 1 Folder: "Genealogical Notes" | Bailey, William M. | Memorandum | May 1882 | Providence | Note apparently written by his mother, Jane Keeley, granddaughter of Providence blacksmith Jacob Whitman, identifies Whitman's slaves including Prince (Priney no Nose), Cato, Pomp, Sisser, Card, Amy, Tullis, Nancy, and Dorcas. | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 1 | Baley, Thomas | Indenture | 20 Jul 1768 | Newport | Indenture of Bathsheba Kim, a negro girl, to Baley & heirs, signed by William Coddington & the Overseers of the Poor. | ||
| Mss 919 | Banister, John Account Books | Accounts | 1747-1750 | Newport | Both volumes include some documentation of Banister's dealings in slaves. While no explicit reference was found in the account book to an entire shipload of slaves being imported from Africa, although ships named the Affrican and the Angola suggest that Banister was interested in the cross-Atlantic slave trade. There was also this advertisement in the Boston Post-Boy on Monday, May 11, 1752: "TO BE SOLD by John Banister at his house in Newport, also at Middleton on Connecticut River, A fine parcel of negro men, women, boys and girls, imported directly from the Gold Coast, and are esteemed to be the finest cargo of slaves ever brought into New England. Likewise to be sold by said Banister, European goods, at the places aforesaid." Banister sometimes purchased one or two slaves at a time in the West Indies and sold them in New England. The daybook documents the purchase and Connecticut sale of a "Negro boy named Fortune" in 1747, the purchase of "a Negro man named Cesar" from a ship captain in 1747, and the purchase of two unnamed slaves in 1749/50. Banister also detailed the clothing expenses of Banister's slaves, and the profits he gained from loaning out their labor. "Negro Anthony" or "Tony" appears nine times in the daybook from 1747-1750, mostly for work done in preparing ships for journeys. "Negro Mingo" and "Cato" are also mentioned. Detailed abstracts of all of these entries can be found in the guide to the Banister Papers. |
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| Mss 9001-B Box 3 | Barber, Reynolds | Deed | c.1780 | Exeter | Sale of a Negro Man Named Prince to Amie, not dated. | ||
| Mss 1099 Box 1, Folder 9: J. Rowland Barker to parents June 1944-December 1944 | Barker, John Rowland Papers | Correspondence | 13 Aug 1944 | South Pacific during World War II | A letter from J. Rowland Barker to his parents, Aug. 13, 1944 "A few nights ago we had a stage show here put on by a Negro Engineers outfit which was pretty good." | ||
| Mss 1099 Box 1, Folder 14: Correspondence from Barker family relatives in England, Australia and Bahamas 1942-1945 | Barker, John Rowland Papers | Correspondence | 2 Aug 1944 | South Pacific during World War II | A letter from George Barker in Derby, England to J. Rowland Barker, "They are opening two U.S. clubs in the town now: one for white troops and one for coloured troops. I see that a coloured choir will be soon singing at the Salvation Army H.Q." | ||
| Microfilm HF 5686 P25 A15 MSS 283 Vol. 5: 1787-1797 | Barker, William Account Books | Account Book | 14 May 1793 | Providence | An entry in William Barkers account with Brown & Francis on 14 may 1793 for the making or sale of a tray for a Negro. Entry reads "To tray dl Negro" | ||
| MSS 187 | Barrington Town Records Collection | Tax List | 1 Oct 1798 | Barrington | List C of the 1798 Direct Tax valuation - Particular list of slaves owned by, or under the care of on the first day of October 1798, within the assessment district [blank] in the State of Rhode Island. One sheet for Barrington listing 4 individuals each owning 1 slave: Edward Bosworth, Nathaniel Smith, Ebenezer Tiffaney, Matthew Watson. The names of the slaves are not given. | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 5 | Bayley, William | Will | 10 Jan 1770 | Middletown | 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. | ||
| Microfilm HQ 1438. R45 Pt 1 Reel 17 (Diary begins at Frame 0720) Mss 292, Diary: 1/1/1872-5/20/1872 | Bennett, Harriet F. Diaries | Diary | 24 Jan 1872 | Pawtucket | Diary entry by white Pawtucket woman includes a long description of her reaction when an African-American man boarded her bus, and then a meditation on the evil of her prejudice. "Is it possible that I am so narrow, mean, and petty that I am not willing to ride in the same car as a Negro, and he a clearly well-dressed, well-mannered one?" [1/24/1872] | ||
| Microfilm CS71 B522 1675 Mss 294 Oversize Collection | Bernon, Gabriel Papers | Correspondence | 8 Dec 1714 | Rhode Island | 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 Box 6 | Bicknell, Japheth | Land Deeds | 1788-1791 | North Kingstown | Three deeds to Sampson Gardner alias Samson Chaucum, a free black man. | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 6 | Bicknell, Joseph | Promissory Note | 5 Jul 1819 | Warren | Promise to pay Nimmo and Churchill "Twenty dollars for Value Recvd." | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 6 Peter Bicknell (1705-1768) | Bicknell, Peter | Inventory | 6 Mar 1769 | Warren | "One negro boy named Cuff £20 One negro boy named Pomp £5 One negro woman named Merea £35" See tab for BICKNELL following Index for full transcription. | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 6, Folder 2: Phanuel E Bishop, Diary 12/18/1863-6/30/1864 also Family Notes (Preservation Photocopy) | Bishop, Phanuel Euclid | Diary | 18 Dec 1862 - 30 Jun 1864 | Rhode Island | Diary of white lieutenant in 14th Regiment, R.I. Heavy Artillery (Colored) in the Civil War. | ||
| Mss 233 | Blackstone Valley Community Action Program Records | Records | 1967-1973 | Pawtucket | Records of federally funded anti-poverty organization based in Pawtucket, with a substantial number of Afro-American staff and clients. See Finding Aid for Folder level descriptions. | ||
| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 2: Correspondence, Mar 1862 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 28 Mar 1862 | Washington, D.C. | Letter March 28, 1862 to Dave - " I went down to the Capitol a few days ago and attended a session of the Senate . . . and was entertained with a spicy debate of the District Emancipation Bill during which it was asserted that one of the Vice Presidents of the U.S. from the South had notoriously lived with a negro wench and had children by her, and that another Southern Senator's negro children were at school in the State of Ohio. The Senator from Iowa proceeded to state that there were but three cases of white men marrying negroes in his own State and all three of these gentlemen came from Slave States and probably formed their peculiar interests there. I noticed that the Senators from Del. and Maryland spoke of slavery as a doomed institution while senators from Ky made no remarks in opposition." | ||
| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 4: Correspondence, May 1862 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 1 May 1862 | Virginia | Letter May 1, 1862 to Dave - "Niggers don't appear to find anything congenial in me, the first one I had died and the one I employed here is now sick with small pox. We have a large number of runaway slaves in camp who act as servants for officers, etc., most of them I find left their masters through fear of being forced to labor on the rebel fortifications." | ||
| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 16: Correspondence, April 1863 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 7 Apr 1863 | Virginia | 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 298 Box 1, Folder 23: Correspondence, Dec 1863 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 9 Dec 1863 | New Haven, Conn. | Letter December 9, 1863 to Gerald - "Recruits are coming in regularly from the state of Conn. We have about 200 niggers and 300 white volunteer recruits now in camp." | ||
| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 23: Correspondence, Dec 1863 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 23 Dec 1863 | New Haven, Conn. | Letter December 23, 1863 to Gerald - "We have 500 niggers here now and I have sent over 300 recruits to Washington. . ." | ||
| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 27: Correspondence, Mar 1864 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 9 Mar 1864 | New Haven, Conn. | Letter March 9, 1864 to Gerald - "We are trying a Capt. Of the colored regiment here which regiment is under marching orders. . ." | ||
| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 33: Correspondence, Aug 1864 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 14 Aug 1864 | Virginia | Letter August 14, 1864 to Gerald - "One of your assertions is totally false i.e. 'negroes will not fight' and I am at a loss as to how you could have been so entirely mistaken on a mere question of facts, the negroes have fought well, much better than we expected and better than the average of white troops with the same experience, this has been owing in a great degree to the fact that their officers are much better than those that came out with new white regiments the offices of negro troops come principally from veteran white regiments and the examination they are obliged to pass requires more than average education. The uniform testimony of all officers and soldiers who have seen the negroes in action and with whom I have had an opportunity of conversing is that the negroes fight better than they expected. You say wherever negroes have 'been tried in action it has resulted in failure;' how can you stultify yourself by such statements in face of the fact that Genl Baldy Smith (who did not believe in negro soldiers) complimented in General Orders the negro regiments of this command for their gallantry in the successful charge which resulted in the capture of the formidable works at Petersburg with many cannon[s] and prisoners." |
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| Mss 298 Box 1, Folder 33: Correspondence, Aug 1864 | Bliss, George N. Papers | Correspondence | 24 Aug 1864 | Maryland | Letter Augusts 24, 1864 to Gerald - "Now for the negroes. I personally have not seen them under fire but one of my men Private Spalding Troop B was Orderly for Genl Getty last July and saw a negrow regiment go into action near the Chicahoming he says they charged across an open field and took a rebel battery and that he saw one negor knowch a rebels brains out with a clubbed musket, this regiment was obliged to fall back without bringing off the guns because they were not properly supported (A common fault in our army) but is shows negroes will fight. . ." | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 8 | Borden, Benjamin | Correspondence | 1785-1789 | Tiverton | 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 Box 8 | Borden, John | Correspondence | 28 Nov 1802 | Tiverton | From Edwin Snow, concerning a black girl named Lucy Durfee alias Chace who is to be sold the following day. | ||
| Mss 924 Book 2, Account Book, 1788-1803 | Borden, Simeon Accounts | Account Book | 1795 | Freetown | Borden credits Joseph Read with "half your black boy's voyage a whaling." | ||
| MICROFILM E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 11 Mss 9001-B Box 9 | Bosworth, Capt. 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 Loose Vol. | Bourne, Aaron | Ledger | 1729-1749 | Bristol | 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. See tab for BOURNE following Index for full transcription. | ||
| Mss 11 Box 2 Folder: Financial Records | Bourne, Benjamin Papers | Bill of sale | 31 Jan 1786 | Bristol | "Know all Men by those present that I Silas Talbot of Providence in the County of Providence in Consideration of the Sum of thirty pounds Lawful Money to me in hand paid do hereby Sell and transfer to Benjamin Bourne and his assigns all the Intent Right & property which I have to a negro man named Dimbo, his wife named Sarah & their three children and all the Articles of Clothing and Furniture in the house where they now Live. Being the Same Negroes except two of them which I bought of Capt. John Hopkins. Witness my Hand at Providence this 31st Day of January AD 1786 Talbot Bill of Sale of 5 Negroes Jan 31 1786" | ||
| *Mss 11 | Bourne, Benjamin Papers | Letter | 4 Jan 1795 | Bristol | 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 301 Folder 13: May 1777-Dec 1778 | Bowen Family Papers | Accounts | 4 Jan 1795 | Providence | Ephraim Bowen's accounts as Deputy Quartermaster General include payments to Samboy for painting wagons (July 16, 1777). | ||
| Mss 301 Folder 5 | Bowen Family Papers | Papers | 1754 | Providence | Ephraim Bowen: 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 9001-B Box 12 Folder: Tiverton, Misc. Accounts (1758-1804) | Briggs, Nathaniel | Papers | 1758-1804 | Tiverton | Throughout the accounts and letters are many references to slaves: "1769 Capt Nathaniel Briggs to Walter Cook DR To mending 3pr of shoes £3.00.0 To pr of shoes for Amea £4.00.0 To 2pr of shoes for Ginne & Dublin £15.10.0 To mending [-] pr of Shoes £1.15.0 To 1 pr of shoes for Philip £4.10.0 To mending 3 shoes £2.15.0 To [-] pr of shoes for Newport £8.00.0 ...........................................................£39.10.0" "1771 Capting Nathaniel Briggs [to?] Elisha Lawton March 1 To one pair for son 1 pair mended for Mrs Cory 1 pair for negro woman 2.10.0 [Date faded/stained] To mending for negro woman 2.10.0 [Date faded/stained] To 2 pair for negro men 22.0.0" "1773 Capt Nathaniel Briggs to John Price DR March 29 Gauging 21 hhds molases @ 5/ 5.5 April 3 To 18 Guinea hhgs @ 16 288 April 20 To 1 Barrel for your Negro Boy @ 6 6 ................................................................................£ 299.5 Supra Cr By Cash of Arnold Briggs 16.0 Errors Excepted Do John Price £283.5 Recd the abuf in full John Price" "Capt. Nathl Briggs To Elisha Lawton DR 1773 May 3 To mendg pr shoes for Negro woman £3 1773 June 12 To 2 pr shoes for sons a pr for Negro £19.10 1774 Feb 26 To mendg 1pr for Negro woman £3.10 1774 June 3 To 1 pr [shoes] for Negro woman £9" "Tiverton January ye 8th 1776 Sloop Union & Company My negro Jubeter 2 Days [£]6 pd Extor Dick 2 Days unloading £6" "Dr Capt Nathaniel Briggs Account with Lemuel Wyatt CR 1774 August 30 To Rum Dd your Boy 72 Gal." "1776 Sloop Union To Thomas Cory DR January To Extor Dick for 8 1/2 Days Labour at 2/3 £19 1/2" "1776 Account of Disbursements of the Sloop Lamable Susanna Oners Conl. Cook and Companies for 8 Negroes help us to unlod it £24" "1776 Compte dere Depence du Bateau L'aimable Suzanne Capd & amateur fairbau[th] D'erforge[n] Savoir Pour 8 Negus qui [noan?] out aidez a descharger £24 [signed Will Taggart]" "Nathaniel Briggs to the Estate of Dr Charles Anth. Vigneron (of Tiverton) DR 1772 May 31st to [visit] negro £4" "DR Mr Nathaniel Briggs to Joseph Anthony CR By 1 Negro Boy £52.10 Philad. Nov. ye 19 1762 EE Joseph Anthony" |
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| MICROFILM E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 12 Mss 9001-B Loose Vol. | Bristol Insurance Company | Requests | 1800-1801 | Bristol | 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 109 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Papers | 1746-1792 | Kings/Washington County | Papers of Beriah Brown, who served as sheriff of Kings/Washington County from 1746 to 1792. A careful review of the entire collection would undoubtedly yield more references than those listed below. | ||
| *Mss 109 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Warrant | 4 July 1771 | Kings/Washington County | Warrant against “Seaser, a Negro” suspected of assault | ||
| Mss 109 Box 2, Folder 3: 1761 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Indenture | 18 May 1761 | Kings/Washington County | Indenture made between Beriah Brown & Gideon Hoxsie regarding a "Negro man named Quacco" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 2, Folder 8: 1765 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Settlement | 9 July 1765 | Kings/Washington County | Dispute between Pecten Boss & Beriah Brown Jr, settled with "one Negro man and hatcase and glasses" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 2, Folder 8: 1765 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Appraisal | 22 Mar 1765 | Kings/Washington County | Item Old Tenor £ Lawful Money "To 1 Negro Man called Newport 1300 55-14-3-2 To 1 Negro Man called [Greenmony?] 1300 55-14-3-2 To 1 Negro Woman called Doll 1100 47-2-10-1 To 1 Negro Boy named Joo 800 34-5-8-2 To 1 Negro girl named Nancy 150 6-8-6-3 To 1 Negro Boy named Ceaser 150 6-8-6-3" Taken & Appraised 22d-23d Days of March AD 1765 | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 2: 1770 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Judgement | 1 Mar 1770 | Kings/Washington County | Judgement for Gideon Clarke of South Kingston against John Franklin "to have & recover two Negroes the one a Negroe woman named Claro the other a Negro boy named Dick or for the want thereof 100 pounds lawful money" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 2: 1770 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Sentence | 6 Mar 1770 | Kings/Washington County | "Hannah Sias (so called) an Indian woman of South Kingston aforementioned was convicted of stealing from Thomas Hazard of South Kingstown aforementioned six pounds of sugar." She was ordered to "restore to the said Thomas Hazard six shillings lawful money being two fold of the value of the sugar stole and also pay a fine...three shillings and costs of convictions..." She failed to pay so instead was "publically whipped upon her naked back then stripes" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 2: 1770 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Judgement | 10 Mar 1770 | Kings/Washington County | Judgement for Othniel Gardner of Exeter "commenced an action of Detune, for detaining one certain Neagro boy slave or captive called Priamus against John Smith Junior" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 3: 1771 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Judgement | 11 Mar 1771 | Kings/Washington County | Judgement is a case concerning “Henry Harry, Indian” | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 3: 1771 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Receipt | 8 Oct 1771 | Kings/Washington County | Capt. Joseph Hale "to taking up your Negro Peter Bounty 4 dollars to Sundry cost, keeping him & expences in carrying him to Goal (jail)" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 6: 1774 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Warrant | 14 Mar 1774 | Kings/Washington County | Warrant for the arrest of John Franklin of South Kingston by a complaint made by "Thomas Lawton (a Negro man) Laborer and Marcy (a Mustee) his wife both of North Kingston, which said March before her Intermarriage with the said Thomas was widow of Isaac Cezars" claim that the Mr. Franklin did "with force and arms did take & carry away one Solomon Cezar a Mulatto boy of the age of sixteen years & son to the Pct Marcy and the said Isaac deceased, and still unjustly detains the said Solomon...." | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 6: 1774 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Indenture | 14 Mar 1774 | Kings/Washington County | Indenture agreement between Thomas Lawton and his wife Mercy to place their son Solomon Cezar with Beriah Brown and his wife Amy as a servant until he turns twenty one years old (now being 16). | ||
| Mss 109 Box 3, Folder 6: 1774 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Receipt | 23 Mar 1774 | Kings/Washington County | (2) receipts: 1- "received of Beriah Brown one hundred dollars in part for a Negro man named Jack - Saml Phillips"; 2- "Know all men by these presents that I Samuel Phillips of North Kingstown in the County of Kings County yeoman have this day received of Beriah Brown of said North Kingstown Esq. the sum of two hundred silver milled dollars in full satisfaction for one Negro man slave named or called Jack which Negro man I have this day sold and delivered to the said Beriah Brown..." | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 6: 1778 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Correspondence | 17 Mar 1778 | Kings/Washington County | "[entire first paragraph is very faded] Petitioned the General Assembly for a New Tryal in the Case said Mr [-] against myself I beg you would [take Care?] Affair and attend the Assembly I Believe it will be the best way to Get your father to Go to the Assembly and to take Mr Honeymans advise and to use his Inter[est?] with Sum of the Assembly Pray Dont feel as it is a matter of great Concern. Sr I have heard that my Negro Boy Scipio has inlisted he is But fourteen years and three months old I send as [Tom?] has [Interested?] I have no other Boy to Do any thing |
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| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Legal Document | Sept 1779 | Kings/Washington County | State of RI General Assembly: orders Joshua Randall of Stonington, CT the rights to sell the Negro woman & her 3 children currently in the custody of Beriah Brown under the conditions that they are sold in state, that original owner Carder Hazard approves of the buyers and that Beriah Brown is paid for expenses of holding the slaves until sale is completed. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Correspondence | 22 Oct 1779 | Kings/Washington County | North Carolina Brigade stationed at the Port on Constitution Island in the State of New York regarding John Rice, letter of support & character. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Correspondence | 27 Nov 1779 | Kings/Washington County | John Tenn, delegate for North Carolina, regarding John Rice, letter of support & character. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Testimony | Oct 1779 | Kings/Washington County | John Rice's testimony regarding the case before the State Assembly regarding the 4 slaves (one woman & her three children) he purchased for $3000 from Carder Hazard. He claims that when he refused to sell 2 of them to Lodowick Stanton, Stanton and John Cross hide them and said they ran away. They were later taken into custody and the State Assembly decided their fate. Rice was never allowed to appeal his case and they were sold by Joshua Randall. Stanton was able to buy the 2 he wanted for $200 less than he originally offered Rice. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Promissory Note | 28 Oct 1779 | Kings/Washington County | Joseph Noyes obligation to pay Beriah Brown in his capacity as sheriff for the purchase of 2 Negro children, Mary & Jane. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Promissory Note | 28 Oct 1779 | Kings/Washington County | Lodowick Stanton obligation to pay Beriah Brown in his capacity as sheriff for the purchase of a Negro woman named Nab or Abigail & her child named Milly. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Power of Attorney | 30 Dec 1779 | Kings/Washington County | John Rice appointing Beriah Brown as his attorney "in all cases for and against me" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4 Folder 7: 1779 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Correspondence | 1779/1780 | Kings/Washington County | Letter from John Rice to Beriah Brown instructing him of what to do with any money owed him if Rice cannot personally come to collect it. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 4, Folder 5: 1777 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Estate List | May 1777 | Kings/Washington County | List of property owned by Charles Slocum sold at auction: includes "one Negroman called Jim to Beriah White - 67.00" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 5 Folder 8: 1785 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Advertisement | 26 Feb 1785 | Kings/Washington County | Draft of an advertisement regarding a runaway slave named Pomp, reward for return $8. | ||
| Mss 109 Box 5 Folder 8: 1785 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Deed | 19 Mar 1785 | Kings/Washington County | From Beriah Brown Jr to Beriah Brown Sr "one certain Negro named Pero aged about thirty-eight years" | ||
| Mss 109 Box 5, Folder 2: 1780 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Legal Document | 1780 | Kings/Washington County | "Sometime last spring the town of New Shoreham made an order one Abigail Westcott, an Indian woman an inhabitant of the said town of New Shoreham and a pauper was an inhabitant of North Kingstown and removed her there accordingly…" | ||
| Mss 190 Box 5, Folder 2: 1780 | Brown, Beriah Papers | Power of Attorney | 5 June 1780 | Kings/Washington County | Hezekiah Babcock making Beriah Brown "my attorney in all causes for and against me in my name relating to an Indian boy named Varnum Stanton which boy I have an indenture…" | ||
| *Mss 190 Box 6 Folder 9: Undated materials of interest | Brown, Beriah Papers | Papers | 1787-1874 | Kings/Washington County | Other items include an undated suit regarding a slave purchased by one Joshua Holmes, who later proved to be free | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 14 | Brown, Ceasar | Promissory Note | 14 Apr 1816 | East Greenwich | Pay to Ephraim Spencer | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 15 | Brown, Joseph E. | Pension File | no date | Rhode Island | Pension file of African-American sailor in Civil War | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Correspondence | 1753-1836 | Providence | In addition to being a prominent Rhode Island citizen and businessman, one of Moses Brown's most valuable contributions was as an outspoken opponent of slavery. Brown worked to educate and influence others to the immorality of slavery. This collection of Brown's papers contains thousands of letters. Slavery and blacks are addressed in many of the letters and some of the correspondence is with formers slaves. Series II, the subject files, contains four folders titled "Anti-slavery." Series IV (bound volumes) includes account books which contain references to people of color. Excerpts of some items in the collection are highlighted. Finding aid available in manuscripts. ORIGINAL Material is NOT paged - patrons must use MICROFILM. |
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| Microfilm E 445 R4 Mss 313 Series 2, Box 6, Folder 175 | Brown, Moses Papers | Narrative | 1723 | Providence | Description of the yellow fever epidemic in 1723 and its effect on the native population in RI. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 10 Sep 1777 | Providence | 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. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 9 May 1774 | Providence | Page 10 - "1774 9 mo. 5 - Notes gave negros - 226 pd and took up". | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1818-1819 | Providence | Page 18 - Sally or Sarah Holden Cold Woman, 1818-1819. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1763-1765 | Providence | Page 23 - Prime Burden Negro, 1763-1765. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1820-1821 | Providence | Page 42 - Marge Samuel Cold Woman, 1820-1821. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1763-1786 | Providence | Page 44 - Toney Crawford Indian, 1763-1786 "Toney being Poor I don't propose to Demand the Balance Due for Rent." | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1812-1814 | Providence | Page 47 - Stephen Ceaser coloured Man, 1812-1814 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1812-1825 | Providence | Page 47 - Faney or Bethany a Coloured Woman, 1812-1825 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1821-1822 | Providence | Page 50 - Margery Sam Cold Woman, 1821-1822 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1809 | Providence | Page 51 - Richard Williams blk Man, 1809 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1825-1827 | Providence | Page 54 - Faney a Coloured Woman or Bethana or Phaney, 1825-1827 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1832-1834 | Providence | Page 57 - Bethany a Coloured Woman, 1832-1834 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1763 | Providence | Page 57 - Yokway Fenner Negro, 1763 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1779-1812 | Providence | Page 61 - Cudge Negro, 1779-1812 "I paid Doc Barrows for his Doctrine of Cudge in his last Sickness" | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1802 | Providence | Page 64 - Anthony Browning blk Man, 1802 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1778-1779 | Providence | Page 77 - Tom negro, 1778-1779 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1778-1779 | Providence | Page 77 - Yarrow negro, 1778-1779 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1797 | Providence | Page 77 - Jacob blackman, 1797 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1803-1824 | Providence | Page 80 and 234 - Joseph Dailey Indian, 1803-1824 "Joseph being deceased I Balance this acct without Calling on his family or Land" | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1785 | Providence | Page 183 - Charles (Negro), 1785 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1785 | Providence | Page 183 - Cloe Angell, negro, 1786-1800 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 - Reel 17: Ledger begins on Frame 494 Mss 313 | Brown, Moses Papers | Ledger | 1816 | Providence | Page 183 - Susan Carr, Coloured Woman, 1816 [There are many more entries for people of color in the ledger than listed] |
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| Microfilm E 445 R4 Mss 313 Series 3, Subseries 1, Box 7, Folder 18 | Brown, Moses Papers | Correspondence | 18 Jan 1762 | Providence | (Document #165) Letter of Administration for the estate of Fortin Waite, Jan. 18, 1762 | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 Mss 313 Series 3, Subseries 1, Box 7, Folder 18 | Brown, Moses Papers | Inventory | 8 Mar 1762 | Providence | (Document #166) "An Inventory of Fortin Waite free Negro Mans Estate. . ." which was worth in pounds 189 - 7 - 0. Approved by the Town Council March 8, 1762. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 Reel 12: Box 1, Folder 5, 6, 7; Box 4x, Folder 1 (Frames 525-688) Mss 313 Series 2: Subject Files | Brown, Moses Papers | Records | 1652-1825 | Providence | Subject files on anti-slavery activities | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 Reel 18: Series B, Subject Files, Folder 1: Providence Society for Abolishing the Slave Trade, begins on Frame 725 Mss 313 (Austin Collection) | Brown, Moses Papers | Correspondence, Records | 1789-1793 | Providence | Papers relating to the organization and running of the Providence Society for Abolishing the Slave Trade | ||
| Microfilm E 445 R4 Reel 19: Frame 646 Mss 313 (Quaker Collection) | Brown, Moses Papers | Minute Book | 1789-1827 | Providence | Providence Society for Abolishing the Slave Trade Minute Book (Original in the NEYM archives) | ||
| E445 .R4, part 1, reels 19-23 Mss 315 | Brown, Obadiah I Collection | Papers | 1740-1762 | Providence | Obadiah Brown I (1712-1762), a mercantile trader, was directly involved with the slave trade on two occasions. Brown was master of sloop Mary, owned by his brother, James Brown II (1698-1739). The sloop Mary made a trip to Africa in 1736 becoming Rhode Island's first slave ship. This voyage was not profitable and was never repeated by the Browns. In 1759, Obadiah Brown's firm, Obadiah Brown & Co. made a second attempt at the slave trade sending the ship Wheel of Fortune to Africa. The ship was captured by French privateers. Most of Brown's papers relate to his business ventures including trade in the West Indies and the operation of a rum distillery. Unfortunately, there is nothing in this collection relating to the 1736 voyage of Mary and there are only a few incidental accounts relating to the 1758 fitting out of Wheel of Fortune (see "Ledger No. 5", p.122). Upon the death of Obadiah Brown in 1762 the following document was drawn up: "Inventory of the Household Furniture & other Goods at the Spermaceti Works, the half of which belongs to the Estate of Capt. Obadiah Brown deceased; The Quarter part of which is sold by Mary Brown the Widow and Executor of said deceased to Nicholas, Joseph & John Brown of Providence Merchants by Bill of Sale hereunto annexed" Listed on the inventory are: 1 Negro Man named Yarrow 1050 1 Ditto do Reuben 1100 1 ditto do Tom 1250 1/2 a Negro Girl named Tulip [unreadable] Finding aid available. |
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| Mss 9001-B Box 16 | Browne, Esther | Declaration of Freedom | 5 Jan 1781 | Newport | 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 64 Folder 10: Account Book, 1784-1865 | Bucklin, Joseph Family Papers | Account Book | 1847-1865 | Rehoboth, MA | Samuel Slater Bucklin Account Book: Sep 4, 1860 "By amt paid colored man for watering streets 7 weeks $1.75"; Oct 2, 1860 "By amt paid colored man for watering streets in full $1.00" | ||
| Mss 9001-B Box 17 | Budlong, Rebecca | Correspondence | 21 May 1858 | Providence | 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 Box 3, Folder 1 | Burnside, Ambrose E. Collection | Correspondence | 4 Apr 1864 | Rhode Island | 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. |
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| Mss 325 Loose Vol: Ledger 1789-1800 | Butler Family Papers Collection | Accounts | 1789-1800 | Providence | Belonging to Samuel Butler, entries of accounts with Quacco Butler from p. 8 forward. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 1 | Caesar, John | Deed | 1821 | Cranston | 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 | Passenger Lists | 1781-1787 | Newport | Cahoone operated a packet boat to and from Providence. Records his passengers, including a few blacks. | ||
| Mss 369 | Campbell, Paul Research Notes | Research Notes | c.1976-1985 | Rhode Island | In 1975, the Narragansett Indian Tribe filed suit to regain land in southern RI which they claimed was illegally taken from them in 1880. In 1976, Paul Campbell was hired by the RI Attorney General's office as historian for the defense and along with his research partner, Glenn LaFantasie, he began photocopying documents ranging from 1524-1979. This collection contains many of Campbell's research notes on the Narragansetts as well as some of LaFantasie's. The notes are mainly photocopies of primary and secondary sources, trial documents, handwritten notes, drafts and correspondence regarding publishing. See Finding Aid for detailed list of individual documents. |
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| Mss 1140 | Card, James Family Papers | Papers | 1756-1798 | Newport | This collection is one of the more explicit collections relating to the slave trade in the RIHS Manuscripts Collection, and probably the most explicit that was not included in the microfilm set, Papers of the American Slave Trade. | ||
| Mss 1140 Folder 1 (1756-1760) | Card, James Family Papers | Papers | 4 Mar 1758, 29 Jan 1760 | Newport | Mar 4 1758- bill from Sarah Bull for ship labor of her "negor man."; Jan 29 1760 - receipt for payment to Howard Pool for making 2 pairs of shoes for Card's "negroes" | ||
| Mss 1140 Folder 2 (1761-1762) | Card, James Family Papers | Papers | 20 Feb 1761, undated | Newport | Feb 20 1761- receipt for payment from Jonathan Paine to whom Card delivered a "neagor boy" from Boston; [1762] - an undated receipt for paying for a "black man going with a letter to Senegal" and other expenses with 4 1/2 gallons of brandy, re schooner Adventure. | ||
| Mss 1140 Folder 3 (1763) | Card, James Family Papers | Papers | 16 Oct 1763 | Newport | Receipt dated at Bay of Honduras for two slaves (a boy named Nicholaw and a girl named Present) from Oliver Ring Warner, a merchant, who buys and sells slaves through Card. | ||
| Mss 1140 Folder 4 (1764-1769) | Card, James Family Papers | Papers | 24 Apr 1764, 1 Oct 1768 | Newport | Apr 24 1764- Letter from William Cahoon to Oliver Ring Warner re logwood plantation on Irish Creek in the Bay of Honduras, including attached certificate re slave named Newport, aged 25, who has been working on Cahoon's plantation since 1756; oct 1 1768- Receipt from Thomas Townsend for mahogany tables, a maple table, and a coffin for Card's "negro girl" | ||
| Mss 1140 Folder 5 (1770-1771) | Card, James Family Papers | Papers/Correspondence | 1770-1771 | Newport | 1770/02/23- power of attorney from Oliver Ring Warner to Card, with attached list of accounts including mentions of Negros Newport, Nicholaw, and Present 1770/02/23- letter from Warner, in part re orders to recapture Ring's slave "Newport" who appears to have escaped in Honduras. 1770/04/04- letter from Card to Warner re failure to capture Newport 1770/05/01- letter from Card to Warner re failure to capture Newport 1770/07/29- letter from Card to Warner re failure to settle debts 1770/12/18- letter from John Stiles re mahogany logs; "please to let my Negroes take them." 1771/04/02- receipt from Owen Nash of "No. Bay" for six slaves: "Primrose, a seasoned man; Jack, a seasoned boy; Betty, a seasoned girl; Phillis, a seasoned woman girl; March, a new negro man; Jenny, a new negro woman girl" 1771/09/18- order from John Lawrie to "deliver my Negro Hercules to Capt. James McCauley." See tab for CARD following Index for full transcriptions. |
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| Mss 1140 Oversize Folder | Card, James Family Papers | Agreement/Correspondence | 23 Mar 1762, 14 Aug 1771 | Newport | Mar 23 1762- Agreement with Barnaby Burnet of Goree to trade all goods aboard the schooner Adventure in exchange for Burnet "to put on board the said schooner by the middle of July next, merchantable slaves to the amount of cargo delivered; Aug 14 1771- Letter from Lawrie, Hewlett & Co. re slave tried for theft, who is to be delivered to Bay of Honduras (attached to 1771/04/29 account) | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 2, Folder 1: Estate of Timothy Dailey, 1804-1807 | Carder, Randall | Estate | 29 Aug 1804 | Warwick | 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 | Accounts | 12 Nov 1782 | Providence | 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 Box 4, Folder 1: Caleb Carr, d.1805 | Carr, Caleb | Labor Records and Receipts | 1758-1759 | Newport | Supervising construction of Ft. George: "[faded] Febry to 6 Days Service of my Negro Cap William Mumford to Caleb Carr DR to 145 Days work dun of my Negro tom at Fort George Capt William Mumford to Caleb Carr DR to 145 Days work dun of my Negro tom at Fort George at £40 -- £290-00-00. November 8, 1758" "Newport November 8 1758 Fort George to Caleb Carr DR To 145 Days Worke of my Negro at £40/ £290-00-00" "Capt William Mumford to Caleb Carr DR 1758 to My negro work at Fort George to 145 Days at 45/ £326-5-0 1759 to 131 1/2 Days at 50/ £325-15-0 -------------------------------------- £655-00-0 to October 29" "The Gentlemen of ye Committee appointed for Fort George DR To 63 1/2 Days work of my Negro George @ 50/ £158.15 Newport July ye 25th 1759. Errors Excepted Jno Brown Junr" |
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| Mss 9001-C Box 4 | Carr, Mary | Inventory | 17 Dec 1746 | Newport | Her estate inventory names "1 Negro man named Tom, 1 Negro woman named Phillis and Negro child named Violet." | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 4, Folder 1: Robert Carr, 18 Dec 1666 | Carr, Robert | Order | 18 Dec 1666 | Warwick | Order to "Humfumchag Subbondonset, Ehachabbin Quoanoscit" and their associates (formerly associates of Pomham) to cease planting within boundaries of Warwick Plantation. | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 8, Folder 16: Seaman's Ledgers 1815-1820 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1815-1820 | Providence | Identified: Joseph Anson (Blk); Wm Nichols (Blk); Cupid Bowen listed but not identified as POC | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 8, Folder 19: Seaman's Ledgers 1819-1824 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1819-1824 | Providence | Primus Bowen - Steward on ship Panther (not identified as POC) | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 8, Folder 2: Seaman's Ledgers 1821-1825 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1821-1825 | Providence | Identified: on the Panther - Anchong (Chinese) young; Atong (Chinese) old man; Appoo (China Cook); on Gen. Hamilton- Sam (Chinese) Cook ; Primus Bowen - Steward on Ship Panther (not identified as POC) | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 8, Folder 20: Seaman's Ledgers 1820-1826 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1820-1826 | Providence | Identified: Anchong (Chinese) Steward on ship Trumbull | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 1: Seaman's Ledgers 1824-1828 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1824-1828 | Providence | Identified: Anchong (Chinaman) Steward on ship Edwards. | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 2: Seaman's Ledgers 1828-1831 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1828-1831 | Providence | Identified: Apow (Chinaman) Steward on ship Franklin. | ||
| Mss 333 Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 3: Seaman's Ledgers 1831-1835 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1831-1835 | Providence | Cupid Brown - Steward on ship Providence (not identified as POC) | ||
| Mss Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 5: Ships Laborers Ledgers 1815-1818 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1815-1818 | Providence | Identified: Anthony Randall (Black); John Stout (Black); Ned (Blackman); Talbot (Blacky); Samuel (Black man); Prince (Black); Frances (Black); John (Negro); also listed but not identified as POC- Otis Cook; Cato; Prime Bowen; Cupid Brown; Taber | ||
| Mss Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 6: Ships Laborers Ledgers 1817-1818 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1815-1818 | Providence | A listing for work done by "Chinese, the white one" for 3 1/2 days for which he was paid $3. | ||
| Mss Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 7: Ships Laborers Ledgers 1819-1822 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1819-1822 | Providence | Identified: John Jackson (Blackman); Henry (Negro); Wm. Parish (Blk); Arfoo (Chinese) | ||
| Mss Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, Folder 8: Ships Laborers Ledgers 1822-1823 | Carrington Papers | Ledger | 1822-1823 | Providence | Listing for Two China Men, Sam & Tom; Cupid Brown is also listed but again, not identified as POC | ||
| Mss Subgroup 1, Series 5, Sub-Series 2, Box 9, Folder 9: Ships Laborers Account Books 1815-1819 | Carrington Papers | Account Book | 1815-1819 | Providence | 1815: Johnson, Negro, unloading B; Wm. Black; Prime Bowen, Cupid & Prentiss listed but not identified as POC; 1818: Bill (Blk); Tom (Blk); Tho Wm. (Blk); Jno (Blk); George (Blk); Spywood (Blk); John (Blk); Wm Hurriss (Blk); (Black) Henry; Prince, Negro; Jones, Negro; Negro; Wm. (Black) Johnson; Jos Gardery(sp?) (Blk); John (Blk) | ||
| Mss 333 Series 5 | Carrington Papers | Accounts | 1815-1835 | Providence | In Seaman's Ledger includes accounts with black crewman. 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 Series 1, Subseries 1: Incoming Correspondence, Box 9: Incoming Letters 1798-1809 | Carrington Papers | Correspondence | 1806-1809 | Providence | 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." | ||
| Microfilm HF5686 P25 C32 Mss 336 Loose Vol. 2, Ledger #1 (1768-1776) | Carter-Danforth Papers | Ledger | 1768-1776 | Providence | John Carter's Ledger (Journal) #1- Lists accounts with subscribers to the Providence Gazette including Tony Kinnicutt (p. 272), Negro Greenwich (p. 272), and Prince Keen (p. 311) | ||
| Mss 336 Loose Vol. 3 (1789-1828) | Carter-Danforth Papers | Journal | 1789-1828 | Providence | 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 Loose Vol. 4 (1816-1817) | Carter-Danforth Papers | Accounts | 1817 | Providence | John Carter's Ledger A (1816-1817) includes an account kept with John Rogers (black man). | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 5 | Cary, Nathaniel | Accounts | 15 Dec 1752, 25 Jul 1754 | Bristol | 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 1002 | Chace, Elizabeth Buffum Papers | Papers | 1858-1890 | Rhode Island | Papers of a famous abolitionist whose home served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. These papers, however, shed little light on these activities, and consist mostly of correspondence with her children. There are several passing mentions of anti-slavery meetings, and of a visit to abolitionist Wendell Phillips. | ||
| Mss 1002 Folder 1: Elizabeth Buffum Chace letters to sons Samuel and Arnold, 1858-1859 | Chace, Elizabeth Buffum Papers | Correspondence | 1859 | Rhode Island | 3/8/1859- To Arnold. 4 pages. Father very ill. "I went to a Spiritual meeting and heard a most excellent and beautiful discourse from a trance medium...Then I attended a meeting of the Anti-Slavery Committee at 4 o'clock."; 4/3/1859- To Sam. 2 pages. "We are having company and Anti-Slavery meetings today."; 4/7/1859- To Sam. 2 pages. "I am arranging Anti-Slavery meetings about the state and have to write several letters almost every day." | ||
| Mss 1002 Folder 2: Elizabeth Buffum Chace letters to sons Samuel and Arnold, 1860-1864 | Chace, Elizabeth Buffum Papers | Correspondence | 1862 | Rhode Island | 1/24/1860- Dated Valley Falls. 4 pages. Son Eddie struck by a carriage and badly injured. "Last night, Wendell Phillips lectured at Lonsdale, & he came here, and we carried him up, and then he returned with us, and spent the night. We had a nice time. He told us about his visit to North Elba, when he went with the body of John Brown; relating many little incidents which were not published in the papers.; "8/19/1862- To Sammie. 3 pages. "Gen. Hunter has disbanded his Negro regiment. How strange that such blindness prevails. That white men must go by hundreds of thousands...but the colored man must be saved! ...the country will ere long be inhabited by women and children and negroes. Oh! how I long to hear the right word spoken, that of Universal Freedom which would so soon put an end to this War! When will it come?" | ||
| Mss 1002 Folder 3. Elizabeth Buffum Chace letters to son Arnold, 1866-1868, 1874 | Chace, Elizabeth Buffum Papers | Correspondence | 1868 | Rhode Island | 1/26/1868- 4 pages. "Mass. Anti-Slavery Society at Mercantile Hall on Summer St. We had a good meeting. The speakers were Phillips and Frothingham and Higginson and the two Fosters and quite a number of others."; 5/21/1868- 4 pages. Visit to New York. "In the afternoon, we went to the [Anti-Slavery] office where he had been very anxious to show us him composing room, where the types are set entirely by girls, whom he pays as he would men." | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Papers | 1700-1840 | Newport | 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. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 4: Miscellaneous, Box 9, Folder 4: Indian Deeds - Thomas Ninigret 1756-7 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Estate | 1700 - 1757 | Newport | Charlestown lands deeded from Narragansett Sachems and others to the Champlins; depositions concerning the parentage of Charles and George Ninegret (Champlin seemed to support Charles); Sachem deed to the Narragansett Church; accounts and receipts to Christopher Champlin, guardian of Thomas Ninegret, infant sachem (1752); appraisal of Nicholas Easton land; leases; deed of sale for a slave; power of attorney to Abraham Redwood Ellery. Accounts with the estate of Thomas Ninigret with renters listed, including "Negro William" and William Mustee. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 4 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 29 Oct 1762 | Newport | Capt. John Peck, Newport. Re: slaving voyage. Copy of Peck's Order. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 5 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 8 Nov 1762 | Newport | Samuel Chace to Christopher Champlin, re: shares in the Privateer Speedwell due Chace via. his servant Cesar Chase or Cesar Fry. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 8 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 25 Dec 1774 | Newport | Henry Gardner to Christopher Champlin, re: Prince Miller, runaway, staved away on a ship to Philadelphia. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 9a | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 14 Feb 1775 | Kingston, Jamaica | Joseph & Eliphalet Fitch to Christopher Champlin, re: "good market for negroes", Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 9b | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 6 Oct 1775 | Jamaica | Robert Champlin to Christopher Champlin, re: "in hopes my slaves…" Jamaica | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 2, Box 4, Folder 1: Ship Records - Schooner Adventure, 1763-1774 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Crew List | 1766 | Newport | "Bristol Champlin, slave" appears on crew lists | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 2, Box 4, Folder 1: Ship Records - Schooner Adventure, 1763-1774 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Crew List | 1771 | Newport | "Tosh" (or Tack) Sisson appears on crew list for sloop Adventure | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 2, Box 4, Folder 1: Ship Records - Schooner Adventure, 1763-1774 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Ship Record | 1773 | Newport | "Ephraim Meves--Mulatto seaman"; "Frank, servant to Doctor Eyres" | ||
| *Mss 20 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Crew List | 1794 | Newport | Quash Vernon appears on crew list snow Elizabeth | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 2, Box 5, Folder 10: Brigantine George, 1757-1782 (Privateer of war) | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Accounts | 1757 | Newport | Brigantine George accounts with Joseph Hull, Cuff Godfrey, Prince Lillibridge. Crew list includes "negro amas," Thomas Atwood's "negro Scipio," and James Tosh | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 2, Box 5, Folder 10: Brigantine George, 1757-1782 (Privateer of war) | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Crew list | 1758 | Newport | Brigantine George crew list includes Obediah Cezar, Ebenezer Cezar, Ned Stoddard, Cezar Steven, Boston Malbone, Jack Bowler, Cezar Malbone, Ben Negro, Prince Gould | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 2, Box 5, Folder 19a: Ship Peggy, 1773-1776 (victualizing) | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Accounts | 1775 | Newport | Accounts of his ship Peggy, includes names of Hicks, James Carr and Sirlone Jepson | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 3, Box 7, Folder 1760-1764 (2) | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Account | 10 Jul 1760 | Newport | Peleg Thurston's accounting of includes charge for labor of "my negro" | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 3, Box 7, Folder 1770-1772 (2) | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Account | 1770 | Newport | Jeremiah Phillips account includes making shoes for "Your negro woman" | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 4, Box 9, Folder 13 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Deed | 4 Dec 1712-18 Jun 1731 | Newport | "Deed of land to Christopher Champlin from the Committee Appointed to Assist Ninnegret in Disposing Some of his Lands." | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 4, Box 9, Folder 13 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Deposition | 18 Oct 1752 | Newport | Deposition of Jonathan Kinyon of Charlestown, Richmond, regarding a deed of land from George Ninegret. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 4, Box 9, Folder 14: Wills Deeds Leases 1790-1813 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Manumission | 11 Jun 1796 | Newport | George, Irish - Manumission of Will June 11, 1796 Will, a black man, bought his freedom. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 4, Box 9, Folder 6: Financial Records, Misc. | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Deed | 11 Aug 1762 | Newport | 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." | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 2 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 29 June 1756 | Boston | Stephen W. Greenlease to Wilkinson & Ayrault, re: invoice for slave, Boston | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 6 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 28 Mar 1763 | New Providence | Samuel Moses to Christopher Champlin, re: news of a slave voyage, New Providence | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 8, Folder 8 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 22 Apr 1774 | Granada | Threlfal & Anderson to Christopher & George Champlin, re: slaves, Granada | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 8, Folder 8 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 22 Apr 1774 | Granada | Threlfal & Anderson to Christopher & George Champlin, re: sell slaves at St. K, Granada | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 8, Folder 9 | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 23 Oct 1775 | Kingston, Jamaica | Joseph & Eliphalet Fitch to Christopher & George Champlin, re: "selling slave", Kingston | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 1-9, 27 Mss 20 Series 1, Box 8, Folder 9b | Champlin, Christopher Papers | Correspondence | 10 Dec 1775 | Barbados | Samuel & James K. Went to Christopher Champlin, re: "rec'd 92 slaves" | ||
| Mss 439 Loose Vol. 2: Benjamin T. Chandler, Ledger 1804-1808 | Chandler, Benjamin T. Family Records | Account book | 1806-1809 | Providence | Account book of Benjamin T. Chandler for general store names Scipio Brinton (p. 72), John Corlis, and "Borneo." (None identified as POC) Corresponding transactions can be found in the daybook (vol. 1). | ||
| Mss 439 Loose Vol. 3: William Earle Accounts, 1796-1833 | Chandler, Benjamin T. Family Records | Journal | 1796-1800 | Providence | Records payment to Prince Vaughn (not identified as POC) | ||
| Mss 341 Box 11, Vol. 4, p. 127 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | Aug 1790 | Newport | Manne Green is identified in a deposition as a laborer. | ||
| Mss 341 Box 11, Vol. 4, p. 129 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 13 Aug 1790 | Newport | Judgement re James Sampson, Indian, of South Kingstown. | ||
| Mss 341 Box 16, Vol. 6, p. 51 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 25 Jan 1802 | Newport | Letter from David Howell to William Ellery, mentioning "Black woman Belinda (and) Hammond Tanner a Black man." | ||
| Mss 341 Box 16, Vol. 6, pages 35, 37, 43 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 1799, 1801 | Newport | Letters between William Ellery & David Barnes; 15 Oct 1799- re sale of the Brig Orange, slave traders mentioned; 1 Nov 1799- foreign vessels must be given bonds re the slave trade; 3 Jan 1801- opinion that no cargo is forfeited (if vessel is employed in slave trade) unless it is on board at time of capture | ||
| Mss 341 Box 17, Vol. 6, p. 71 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 4 Mar 1805 | Newport | Letter from David Howell to William Ellery re James Robertson vs. Philip M. Topham for a breach of the law preventing the slave trade | ||
| Mss 341 Box 21, Vol. 7, p. 251 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 4 Sept 1819, 5 Sept 1819 | Newport | Letters between William Ellery and John Cahoone discussing a Portuguese schooner caught near Bristol which was fitted out for the slave trade. | ||
| Mss 341 Box 3, Vol. 1, p. 175 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 22 Oct 1773 | Newport | William Ellery of Newport settles accounts with Samuel Hully for "cutting yr Negro a Jackitt" | ||
| Mss 341 Box 8, Vol. 3, p. 109 | Channing-Ellery Papers | Papers | 23 Jun 1786 | Newport | As commissioner of the Continental Loan Office, William Ellery sold certificates to Prince Bent, Jehu Quaco and others. | ||
| *Mss 191 | Charlestown Town Records Collection | Bond | 7 Jan 1793 | Charlestown | "Bond as guardian to James Davis Negro and his Estate to letting 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 191 Series 4 Box 1, Folder 11: Receipts & Bills 1760-1880 | Charlestown Town Records Collection | Bill | 7 Jan 1793 | Charlestown | Benjamin Hoxley Jr for the Estate of James Backus Negro. | ||
| Mss 191 Series 4 Box 1, Folder 11: Receipts & Bills 1760-1880 | Charlestown Town Records Collection | Settlement | 18 Apr 1825 | Charlestown | Simeon Tucker accounts as Guardian to James Freeman one of the Narragansett Tribe of Indians | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 7 | Christ Church (Episcopal) | Records | 1841-1851 | Providence | 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 673 sg 4 Loose Vol. 38: Guard Duty Reports, July-Oct 1862 | Civil War Military Papers | Guard Book | 1862 | Rhode Island | Guard Duty Reports for 3rd Regiment of Heavy Artillery at Fort Seward gives records of unknown "contrabands" (freed slaves) imprisoned in the Civil War. In the "List of Prisoners" the reasons for imprisonment are frequently listed as stealing or drunkenness. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 4 Box 7: Enlistments, 1863-65 | Civil War Military Papers | Records | Aug 1863-Oct 1865 | Rhode Island | Rhode Island Fourteenth Regiment, Heavy Artillery: Morning reports, Company A, Jan 1864-Oct 1865; Orders, 1865 | ||
| Mss 673 sg 4 Vol. 53: Orderly Book, Apr 1864-Jan 1865 | Civil War Military Papers | Orderly Book | 1864-1865 | Rhode Island | 2nd Division, 18th U.S. Army Corps Orderly book, Special order No.69 states that "Colored troops will be posted in rear of the Centre of each Brigade on the entrenched line." | ||
| Mss 673 sg 4 Box 8 | Civil War Military Papers | Records | 1865 | Rhode Island | Includes the following records of the Forty-first Regiment U.S. Infantry (Colored): Quartermaster's store, 1865; Statement of charges on muster and payrolls, 1865; Inventory and inspection report, 1865 | ||
| Mss 110 Series 2: Doboy Steam Mill & Lumber Company, Loose Vol. 1 | Clark Sayles Papers | Accounts | 1852-1855 | Georgia | Steam Saw mill at Doboy Island, at the mouth of the Altamaha River in Georgia. Account book - African-America Labor (Slaves) Aug 1852-Sept 1855 | ||
| Mss 110 Series 2: Doboy Steam Mill & Lumber Company, Box 1 | Clark Sayles Papers | Records | 1851-1854 | Georgia | Slaves Hired, May 1851-Aug 1854, undated | ||
| Mss 1127 Box 2 Folder 14: Mary (Foster) Clark, Correspondence from Joseph Clark (1806-1812) | Clark/Church Family Papers | Correspondence | 26 Feb 1807 | Rhode Island | 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 Box 1 Folder: Clarke, Celia G. Diary, 1829 | Clarke Family Papers | Diary | 1829 | Newport | Celia G. Clarke, Diary 1829 : Includes extensive descriptions of work done by servants, who were undoubtedly Afro-American. Their names included John, Prince, Judy and Caesar. | ||
| Mss 351 Box 2 Folder: Clarke, Peleg & Audley- Correspondence (re: Brig Sally, 1794-1801) | Clarke Family Papers | Crew List | 1796 | Newport | Clarke, Peleg & Audley- Correspondence (re: Brig Sally, 1794-1801). Photostats, includes a Crew list, 1796: named- Pero Nichols and Jack Rogers (cook). | ||
| Mss 351 Box 4 Joseph Clarke Personal Record Book | Clarke Family Papers | Records | 1662 | Newport | Joseph Clarkes' personal record book ca. 1750, in volume with original official Westerly Town Record Book cover 1669-1702. Westerly town record book with copies of town meetings including deeds and agreements with Narragansett Indians on pages 8-12 dated 1662. | ||
| Mss 351 Loose Vol. 1 Ledger, 1771-1777 | Clarke Family Papers | Ledger | 1771-1777 | Newport | Ethan Clarke's accounts include Quaco Ward of Westerly (p.101), James Shote - Indian soldier, (p.143) and possibly other people of color. | ||
| Mss 351 Oversize Box 3 Folder: Accounts with Clarke and Hammond, 1792-1795 | Clarke Family Papers | Accounts | 1792-1795 | Newport | Ethan Clarke's accounts with Clarke & Hammond include pay to Sampson. | ||
| Mss 351 Oversize Box 3 Folder: Factory Ledger, 1785-1786 | Clarke Family Papers | Ledger | 1785-1786 | Newport | Ethan Clarke's factory ledger records hire of and accounts with blacks. | ||
| Mss 351 Oversize Box 3 Folder: Journal, 1797-1798 | Clarke Family Papers | Journal | 1797-1798 | Newport | Ethan Clarke's journal records hire of "Mr. Hamilton's negro." | ||
| Mss 350 | Clarke Indian Manuscripts | Deeds/Depositions | 1641-1787 | Washington County | This collection, ranging from 1641-1787, consists of copies of original deeds and depositions relating to Indians in Rhode Island. The material is primarily deeds for Narragansett Indian lands in southern Rhode Island with the many in Charlestown. There are also several folders of testimony regarding the rightful successor as Sachem of the Narragansetts after the death of Sachem Charles Ninigret in 1735. The individuals competing for the title of Sachem were Charles Ninigret Jr., George Ninigret, and his son, Thomas. See Finding Aid for detailed list of individual documents. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 9 | Coggeshall, Elisha | Will | 1803-1805 | Newport | In his will, he manumits Jane and makes provision for Mark. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 9, Folder 1: Last Will & Testament, 31 Mar 1762 | Coggeshall, Thomas | Will | 31 Mar 1762 | Newport | Last will and testament willing various unnamed negroes to family members. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 10 | Collins, James | Will | 1758 | Newport | In his last will, he leaves Brislow, Pegg, Phillis, and Violet to his children. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 1 Folder: 1739-1747, Typescript List of Soldiers | Colonial Militia Collection | List | 1739-1747 | Rhode Island | Includes Cuff Bannister (Privateer Revenge, 1740), Newport Coffin (Capt. Cole's Co., 1745), Frank Pelham (Privateer Revenge, 1740), Sampson Quimons (Capt. Champlin's Co., 1745) and others. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 1 Folder: 1757, Aug 17: Muster Roll of Newport County Regiment | Colonial Militia Collection | Muster roll | 17 Aug 1757 | Rhode Island | "Muster Roll of that part of the Regiment raised in the Colony of Rhode Island for the Present Expedition which marched out of the county of Newport." under the command of Col. Andrews. One of the names listed in the 3rd Division reads: "Josiah an Indian" |
||
| Mss 673 sg 1 Folder: 1758, Jan 12: Pay List of Capt. Daniel Wall's Company | Colonial Militia Collection | Pay Roll | Jan-Apr 1758 | Providence | Includes names of Jacob Ceasar, Ceasar Sambo, Peter Cheese, and Benjamin Negro. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 1 Folder: 1758, Oct 26: Account of Men from Babcock's Regiment in Hospital in Albany | Colonial Militia Collection | List | Jun-Oct 1758 | Rhode Island | Account...of the Rhode Island Regiment of Provincials [with] His Majesty's Hospital at Albany [New York] Includes the name of Primas Harris of Capt. Tew's Company. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 11 | Committee of Defence [sic] | Records | 1814 | Providence | Minutes of the meetings of the Committee of Defence which was an organization created by the citizens of Providence to defend Rhode Island against attack by the British during the War of 1812. On the inside front cover is a tally of the number of days of labor contributed by various groups toward the building of fortifications around Providence and surrounding towns. One of the groups was the "Free People of Color" who contributed a total of 96 days of labor. The minutes for Oct. 1, 1814 document that a letter was received by the "Free People of Color" offering their services. On Oct. 2, 1814 the committee assigned Wednesday [Oct. 5, 1814] as the day they would labor on the fortifications. | ||
| Microfilm HQ 1438. R45 Pt 2 Reel 3 (Diary begins at Frame 0824) Mss 363 Box 2 Folder 18 | Congdon Family Papers | Diary | 1841 | East Greenwich | Diary of Cynthia (Sprague) Congdon 1841-1842, the white wife of a sea captain, with the following entries: "Ma went to the schoolhouse to a Negro meeting" (presumably Abolitionist) [2/27/1841]. "I am going to the Indians meeting this PM... Heard the Indians preach again, the house was crowded I do not think I seen such an assemblage since I visited the Masonic Hall. They talked extremely well and it was really wonderful to hear them speak of the Bible and bring forward their illustrations. Ignorant and unlearned as they were, one of them could not read a word he was the best speaker and one to have heard him would have supposed him well versed in the language of scripture." [3/21/1841] | ||
| Microfilm HQ 1438. R45 Pt 2 Reel 4 (Diary begins at Frame 0896) Mss 363 Box 2 Folder 34 | Congdon Family Papers | Diary | 1854 | East Greenwich | Diary of Mary R. (Congdon) Carstein Dearstyne 1854-1855 while on the Hannah Thornton sailing from New York to New Orleans via the Bahamas. Includes the following: "Passed several sugar plantations. First you would see the sugar mill then the masters house surrounded by orange trees then the slave houses which are all built along in a row they are very nice little houses. Each has its barrel before it to catch rain... One poor slave woman came on board [the ship] wanted washing." [12/25/1854] | ||
| Mss 936 | Congdon Street Baptist Church Records | Records | 1875-1994 | Providence | This collection includes minutes, reports, programs, newspaper clippings, historical notes, and memorabilia of one of Rhode Island's leading African- American churches. See Finding Aid for list/location of individual documents. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 11 | Congdon, Benjamin | Inventory | 1756 | North Kingston | Estate inventory which includes "Old Tom and Old Jeana" valued at 00; one Negro man named Cuff valued at 430; one Negro woman named Binah valued at 200; one Negro woman named Tent and her four children valued at 950; one Negro gal named Janna given to Elizabeth Sweet valued at 300. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 11 | Congdon, Francis | Inventory | 21 Aug 1775 | North Kingston | Estate inventory which values Desire, Tom and Toney. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 12 | Congdon, Joseph | Accounts | 1777-1779 | Providence | Accounts with saltworks name Yerrow (Yarrow) Simms, Primas, and William Sims. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 13 | Cook, Thomas, Sr. | Papers | 1721, 1760 | Tiverton | Cook's papers include a 1721 bill of sale for Experience and his 1760 will in which she is manumitted. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 9 Mss 365 Folder: 1771 | Cooke, Nicholas Collection | Complaint | 30 Jan 1771 | Providence | "Antigua 30th Jan 1771 Sir Some time in May 1764 your Son Capt Joseph Cooke [carried] a Negro Man named Tom being then the Property of Mr Joseph [Manuwing] who had severall Executions against him in the Marshals office of this Island. -- Since the death of said [Manuwing] your son sold the said Negro to Mr [Ni--ngale] a gentleman of good Character much under halfe his Vallue from that [Step buy honest person] might judge that yr son had Neither Title or Right being Limited to one port for his Sale; & selling said Slave til the Death of Mr Manuwing & Then as Im told Claiming some on [sort?] demand I have the affermation of a person who was prst when the Negro was hired by yr Son at forty five shill pr month. After when on Board The Brig Commanded by Capt Roads it wch give me Pleasure that Capt Joseph Cooke will Clear this matter to his Credit he being a [person] on much Esteem. I am Sir your most Obt Hbl Servt Walter Burke. Admin to the Estate of Mr Joseph Man[wering]" | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 9 Mss 365 Folder: 1771 | Cooke, Nicholas Collection | Deed of Sale | 18 Sep 1771 | Providence | "I Josias Lyndon of Newport in the County of Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island &c. Esqr. for and [in] Consideration of the Sum of One hundred & fifty Spanish Silver milld Dollars to me in hand paid by Nicholas Cooke of Providence in the County of Providence in the Colony aforesaid Esqr do hereby bargain & sell unto the said Nicholas Cooke his Heirs Exec Adminr &Assigns forever One Young Negro Man aged about twenty years named Prince. To have & to hold the said Negro man unto the sd Nicholas Cooke his Heirs Exec Admin & Assigns to his & their only proper use Benefit & [---] forever. In Witness where I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal the eighteenth Day of September AD 1771. Josias Lyndon." | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 9 Mss 365 Folder: 1775 | Cooke, Nicholas Collection | Correspondence | 1 Jul 1775 | Providence | "Gov. Cook to the Sachems, Warriors, and female Governesses of Oneida," Draft of a letter attempting to secure the neutrality of the Oneida tribe in the war with Britain. | ||
| Mss 1058 Series 4, Box 4, Folder 49 | Cool Moose Party Records | Correspondence | 1998 | Rhode Island | Federal discrimination suit, "Black Owners/Investors of Broad St. Car Wash, Inc. vs. State of Rhode and Lincoln Almond and et als." Correspondence and supporting documents, 1998. | ||
| Mss 366 Folder: Dispute with Daniel Bartlett | Cooper Family Papers | Papers | 22 Nov 1751 | Glocester | Moses Cooper, d. 1805. Papers include: Original bill of sale from Stephen Arnold for "Jack"; complaint against Daniel Bartlett for persuading Jack to run away. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 15 | Crawford, Joseph Jr. | Accounts | Mar 1770 | Providence | Settles accounts with Benjamin Coates for "mending for Antoney." | ||
| Mss 982 Folder 1 | Crawford, Joseph Papers | Crew List | 28 Nov 1764 | Providence | Sloop Squirrel bound for Antiqua: notes John Loyn, Joseph Mays & Edward Edwards as having "Dark" complexions. | ||
| Mss 982 Folder 1 | Crawford, Joseph Papers | Accounts | 1761 | Providence | Settles accounts with Samuel Wall (not identified as a person of color) | ||
| Mss 982 Folder 1 | Crawford, Joseph Papers | Payment | 1779 | Providence | Paid Prince Keen for shoeing horses (not identified as a person of color) | ||
| Mss 982 Folder 1 | Crawford, Joseph Papers | Crew List | n.d. | Providence | List of crew members and their shares, includes the name of Lepard Angel "negro boy" with 3/4 of a share. | ||
| Mss 9001-C Box 16 | Cushing, Benjamin | Will | 1773 | Providence | In his will, he leaves to his daughter Ann Rawson, "My Negrowoman who is already living with her" (1773). | ||
| Mss 9001-C Loose Vol. | Cushing, Benjamin | Account Book | 1769-1797 | Providence | Accounts with William Mingo (August 26, 1771) p. 43, Franscisco (September 20, 1771) p. 46, and William Cesar (October 14, 1771) p. 49. | ||
| Mss 9001-D Box 1 Folder: Daggett, Israel, Jr. Rehoboth, Bill of Sale for Quom to Israel Daggett, Sr. 31 May 1768 | Daggett, Israel, Jr. | Bill of Sale | 31 May 1768 | Bristol | "Know all Persons, whom it may concern, that I [I] Israel Daggett Juner of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol in New England practitioner in Practitioner in Physick for and in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Mil'd Dollars to me in hand paid by Israel Dagget Senior of the Town & County aforesaid Cooper the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargain'd, sold, and deliverd, and by these Present according to the one Form of Law, do bargain, sell, and deliver unto the Said Israel Daggett Senior one Negro Boy Named Quomo about Eighteen Months Old; to have and to hold the said bargain'd Premisses unto the said Israel Daggett Senr his Executors, Administrators and Assigns forever; and I the said Israel Daggett Juner, for my selfe, my Executors, Administrators, the said Bargained Premisses unto the said Israel Daggett Senior, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, against all and all manner of Persons, shall and will warrant, and for ever defend by these present In witness whereof to geather with the Delivery of the said Negro Boy I have hereunto set my hand and Seal, this 31st Day of May in the year of our Lord 1768. Israel Daggett, Juner. Wm. Daggett William Braley" | ||
| Mss 9001-D Loose Vol. | Dauchy, Marie | Diary | 1836 | Providence | Diary of a white woman passing through Providence in 1836, who described a celebration in honor of the 200th anniversary of Roger Williams' landing in Providence: “We were told that all the Indians in the state would be gathered, and dinner prepared of corn, beans, fish, venison and such like as was used by the natives and first English inhabitants”. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 11 | Davis Family Papers | Records | 1835 | North Kingstown | Records of a family who manufactured “Negro cloth”. Jeffrey Davis (1780-1854) and Ezra Davis (1779-1863) were partners in a successful woolen mill, E. & J. Davis. William Dean Davis, Jeffrey's son, joined the business in 1835. One of the products made at the mill was a durable and inexpensive fabric called "Negro Plain" which was sold to southern plantation owners to outfit their slaves. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 11 Box 1, Folder 12: Exercise Book, ca 1795-1802 | Davis Family Papers | Exercise Book | c. 1795-1802 | North Kingstown | James Dean Davis's exercise book: includes a play script "A Dialogue between Mercury and an English Duelist. A North American Savage" on page 134, transcription of "dialogue of the dead" between an Englishman and a Mohawk "savage" who have both died of wounds inflicted via actions they took under the laws of their respective cultures (1796 entry) | ||
| Mss 629 sg 11 Box 1, Folder 34: Correspondence, ca1829-1873 and undated | Davis Family Papers | Correspondence | 25 Sep 1831 | North Kingstown | Letter to William Dean Davis from his sister, Abby Davis brief mention of Providence race riots. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 11 Box 1, Folder 34: Correspondence, ca1829-1873 and undated | Davis Family Papers | Correspondence | 1 May 1840 | Matanzas | Letter to William Dean Davis from his brother, George A. Davis describing in detail, the execution of a "negro" in Matanzas for "killing his wife and the overseer on the estate of his master." | ||
| Mss 378 Vol 2, p. 135 | Deed Book Collection | Receipt | 13 Jul 1780 | Providence | Receipt given by Henry Bacon who agrees to hold for Mingo Bentley "free negroman of Providence" the amount of his soldier's bounty. | ||
| Mss 378 Vol 2, p. 97 | Deed Book Collection | Receipt | 6 Jun 1785 | Cranston | Front "Providence 6th June 1785 Received of Mr Obediah Brown the sum of Six Pounds Lawful money which is intent for a Negro Man Servant struck off to said Brown the third day of June Instant at Public Vender at the Market in this Town to Satisfy and Execution at the Suit of Israel Gorton against John Andrews Esqr Both of Cranston in the County of Providence. ADC 1784 Witness William Allen D[eputy] Sheriff." Back "Bill of Sale William Allen to Obediah Brown Recd June 6 1785. I hereby certify That the within Instrument is duly Recorded in Book No 19 Folio 524 of the Records of the Town of Providence for Registering Deeds &c this Sixth Day of June AD 1785 Theodore Foster, Town Clerk" | ||
| Mss 378 Vol. 2, p. 136 | Deed Book Collection | Will | c. 1780 | Providence | Last will and testament of Mingo Bentley of Providence who leaves everything to his wife Finda Sweeting, servant of Job Sweeting. | ||
| Mss 378 Vol. 4, Folder 100 | Deed Book Collection | Deposition | 5 Jan 1758 | Providence | Front "Mary Sheldon of Providence in County of Providence &c testifieth and saith that She was at Thomas Angels while he Lived at Providence town and Negro Violot Satt in the house with her head bound and I asked her If She was not well and She Saith she was not and Some time after her master Angel came in and a Doctor with him as I suppose and asked Violett some Questions and he prepared to blood her as I understood the Questions he asked Violett was whether she was with Child and [scratched out] She answared she was not and then the Docter told her he must Blead her and and about a month before Angel sold Violett to Peledg Williames Violet Came to our house and she locked to very poorly with her head bound and Asked what was good for pain in the Stomach and said she had a bad pain in her Stomach for some Considerable time I told her I did not know she should aske her mistress She said she never complained much to her m[i]stress because she would Schold at her if she Did and she further told mee she never had been so well as she was before since the horse kickt her for her ail was at her stomach and that sence their house Catch a fire her fetching of water had maide her warse then she wars before and Some litele time after that Williames bought her and Viollet had ffits as I understood I went over to thomas angels & was talking with his wif abut Viollett's having fitts and anges wife Said that Vilot was like to [have] a litel on[-] and her [tear - piece missing] and fits and she made them and She always [tear - piece missing] to be croos & made when she was like to have a littel one and angels wife also told mee the [Depnant] some considerable time before vilot was sold to Williames that Prince & Vilot [Disfared] and Viollott was sold to Williames that Prince and Villot Disfared and Viollott lay some tim as they thought without the breath & they thought prince had hurt her very much and tey seemed scaired about it & his master was angry with him and afterwards when they understood by Ea-ter that shee had been so before while they lived at town so then they thought that viollott [Decembled?] & that prince had not hurt her but that they were mad fits the within written Evidence was warrant to this 5th D of Jan AD 1758 Before mee Nathan Pearce Justice of Peace" Back "Thomas Angel Present upon interrigation Ques what time was it you [-d] at angels house [smudge] Docter agoing to bleed Voilett A answer I Dont Remember the year not the month but it was som tim after Villots cuff was born Quest Did you as you was well acquanted cause ever know Vilot to have fits while angel had her Answ [---] on by her mistress told mee She had fits several times A copy a test [ed] Mee John [Martin?]" | ||
| Mss 378 Vol. 5, Folder 6 | Deed Book Collection | Deed | 2 Oct 1717 | Providence | Deed of sale from John Crawford to Jeremiah Whipple for a negro boy about 10 years of age named Lhazper. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 10 (Account Book 1814-1815 begins on Frame 0698) Mss 382 Box 7, Vol. 6, p. 76 | DeWolf Family Papers | Account Book | 1814-1816 | Rhode Island | Account Book of brigantine Yankee (1814-1815), entry for Cuffee Cockroach | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reels 9-11 Mss 382 | DeWolf Family Papers | Papers | 1751-1864 | Rhode Island | A large collection of papers from Rhode Island's most notorious slave-trading family. Though these papers do not go into the slave trade in any great depth, there are several lists of slaves sold, and the trade is mentioned periodically throughout the correspondence. They also include accounts and slave lists from the family sugar plantation in Cuba, 1818-1852. See Finding Aid for detailed list of individual documents. |
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| Mss 67 Box 3 | Dexter Asylum | Indenture | 1828-1844 | Providence | Indentures include contracts on blacks. 3 June 1828: Hannah Allens "a woman of colour"; 19 June 1828: Thomas Peterson "a man of colour"; 19 June 1828: John Wallace "a married man of colour"; 23 June 1828: Reuben B. Allen "a man of colour"; 15 August 1828: John Francis Wolfhart "a mulatto man"; 27 August 1828: Thomas Stanton "a person of colour"; 19 August 1840: Caroline Redwood "of color"; 3 August 1842: Ann Elizabeth Elsworth "a woman of color, a transient woman" | ||
| Mss 9001-D Box 2, Folder 2: Account with Job Smith, 1831 | Dexter, Edward | Account | 1794-1796 | Providence | His accounts settled with Job Smith names Sukey. | ||
| Mss 9001-D Loose Vol. | Dexter, John | Account | 1820 | Smithfield | Account book records payment to Cezar (possibly "Henery"??) Arnold. | ||
| Mss 965 | Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE) Records, 1986-1996. | Records | 1986-1996 | Providence | Community organization founded in 1986, based in South Providence, with largely African-American membership. Also addresses Latino and Asian-American concerns. The collection includes records of DARE's campaigns during its first ten years of existence. In addition, there are some administrative records, including minutes, grant applications, fundraising, and intern records. See Finding Aid for box list of grouped documents. | ||
| Mss 232 sg 4 | Direct Tax Records | Records | 1798 | Rhode Island | These records list property owners in North Kingstown, Providence, Richmond, Smithfield, and Warwick. Several of these property owners in each town are identified as black. Newport Brown is shown as the only black property owner on Benefit Street in Providence, for example. For some towns, the lists give very detailed descriptions of the dwelling houses that were taxed. In addition, there are schedules for slave ownership in Richmond, Smithfield and Warwick. Only one slave owner was taxed in Smithfield: Job Arnold, who owned one unnamed slave aged between 12 and 50. Benjamin Greene was the only slave-owner taxed in Warwick, with two unnamed slaves. David Larkin of Richmond was taxed for a 23-year-old slave, and Peleg Wilcox of Richmond was taxed for a 16-year-old slave. See Finding Aid for detailed list of individual documents. Some are available on Microfilm. Microfilm HJ9013 P9 1798 -1798 Direct Tax List A and List B for Providence, Microfilm HJ 9013 .R4 R4 1798 - 1798 Direct Tax List A and List B for Richmond, Smithfield and Warwick | ||
| Mss 232 sg 4 Loose Vol. | Direct Tax Records | Records | 1798-1800 | Rhode Island | Record book of the "Rhode Island Board of Commissioners...for valuation and enumeration of 1798". Includes minutes and resolutions, state-wide summary abstracts of all schedules, and records of payments made to collectors, 1798-1800: pages 70-71, give the number of slaves in each town (there were 168 slaves counted for the entire state); page 19 gives the commission's brief instructions for enumerating slaves. | ||
| Microfilm HJ9013 P9 1798 (Providence), HJ9013 R4 R4 1798 (Richmond, Smithfield, Warwick) Mss 232 sg 4 | Direct Tax Records | Tax Records | 1798 | Rhode Island | Page 19 states that lists should be prepared showing names and ages of slaves; page 70-71 has "summary abstract of all slaves owned and superintended" | ||
| Mss 9001-D Box 4: Account Books 1790-1795 | Dods, George | Accounts | 1790-1796 | Providence | An account book for Brown, Benson shows payments for the labor of Solomon and Thomas. | ||
| Mss 391 Folder 12: Scrapbook (keeper unknown) 1842-1843 | Dorr, Thomas W. Collection | Scrapbook | 1842-1843 | Newspaper clipping, opinion piece on "one or two communications addressed to the COLORED VOTERS" printed in The Express, n.d. | |||
| Mss 391 Folder 16: Fragment of Pro-Dorr Poetry, Anonymous | Dorr, Thomas W. Collection | Poetry | Anonymous fragment of pro-Dorr Rebellion poetry, apparently written circa 1842-1844. Describes an incident in which "the African captain who fought like a mad man / With Jesse and Whipple and the Dedaw Cashier / Being hard sider merry surprised Uncle Jerry / and ransacked house without favor or fear." | ||||
| Mss 98 Box 10 | Downing, Antoinette Papers | Research Notes | 1926-1986 | Includes research notes, mainly newspaper clippings, on opera singer Cisseretta Jones ("Black Patti"). | |||
| Mss 165 Series 2 Personal Accounts Box 1, Folder 10: 1790-1794 | Dr. Isaac Senter Papers | Accounts | 1790-1794 | Pawtuxet | Receipts for work done by John Remington during 1787-1793, the receipts includes many entries for making or mending shoes for unnamed "Negro" and "Negro boy" and also for "Negro Prince." Receipt for work done by Mary Myrick dated October 23, 1792 with a charge for "Making a Coat for your Servant." Receipt from Henry Fowler of Jamestown dated March 24, 1793 "to 3 fearages your two Sons and a Negro man 25 cents." Receipt for account with Jonathan Hull for 1788-1791 which includes entries for "to Mak a Vest & Pr overalls for Negro" and "To Altering a Pr Breeches for Negro." | ||
| Mss 9001-D Box 5 | Drown, Henry B. | Receipt | 10 Dec 1840 | North Providence | Pays Samuel Cesar for digging and stoning cellar at Fruit Hill. | ||
| Mss 9001-D Box 5, Folder: Account Book, misc. | Drowne, William | Account Book | 1784-1786 | Providence | Lists sale to Ceaser Rice and Negro Condon (December 1785), p.14; Theodore Foster candles delivered by a Negro girl (May 6, 1787), p. 40; account settled with Solomon Drowne for cash paid to Sisco (June 1784), last page. | ||
| Mss 9001-D Box 5 | Dyre, William | Indenture | 24 Sep 1791 | South Kingston | Bill of sale and terms of slavery for Violet (age 2) from Prince and Violet Dyre. “...that said Negro Servant Child, Violet, from and after said Term of twenty years shall be forever absolved manumited and discharged from the bonds of Slavery and Servitude...” | ||
| Mss 459 Box 1, Folder 11: Accounts, 1810-1814 | E & C Greene Records | Agreement | 30 Apr 1811 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Agreement with Job Sambo to rent Nichols lot for $56.78 payable in building a stone wall on the property. | ||
| Mss 459 Box 1, Folder 11: Accounts, 1810-1814 | E & C Greene Records | Note | 6 Sep 1813 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Note from Samuel Primus to settle his accounts. | ||
| Mss 459 Box 1, Folder 17: Accounts, 1819 | E & C Greene Records | Promissory Note | 3 Feb 1819 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Mark of Cato Sweet on a note to pay $35.20. | ||
| Mss 459 Box 1, Folder 25: Accounts, 1827 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 11 Dec 1827 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Accounts receipt settled with Jeramiah Slocum for making shoes for "black Hannah" (March 10, 1826). | ||
| Mss 459 Box 1, Folder 3: Account book for the Rhode Island Central Bank, 1807-1818, also includes a labor record, 1822-1825 | E & C Greene Records | Labor Record | 1822 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Labor record includes agreement for work of George Gardner, September 1822. | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 1, Blotter, 1803-1807 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 1803-1807 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Blotter notes (in back of book) indicate Mr. Howard & Lady "...8 Days lost at Negro Election..." June 30, 1806 and include store accounts for food of Cudgo, September 1805. Within the ledger is an account with Cuff Spencer, September 9, 1805. | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 11, Ledger, 1788-1796 | E & C Greene Records | Ledger | 1788-1796 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Ledger includes sales and service to Prince Hammon (p. 82 & 122), Samuel Sambow (p. 120 & 145) and Job Sambow (included in the index). | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 13, Ledger, 1803-1816 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 1803-1816 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Ledger registers accounts with Jack Gardner (p. 55, 188), Samuel Sambo (p. 58, 269, 332, 341), Cuff Spencer (p. 86), Nicholas Howard (p. 88, 125), Job Sambo (p. 90, 364), Cato Rome (p. 123), Windsor Gardner (p. 332), Peru Weaver (p. 393). | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 2, Day book, 1786-1792 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 1786-1792 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Daybook includes labor agreement and accounts with Samuel Sambow, 1790 (in the back of the book). Records a day Sambow lost to the "negro election," June 1790. | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 4, Day book, 1807-1810 | E & C Greene Records | Day Book | 19 Nov 1810 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Labor agreement with Samuel Sambo, November 19, 1810. | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 6, Day book, 1816-1819 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 1816 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | In the front of the ledger is a note which indicates that Chris Sambo began work July 14 (no year). In the back of the ledger is a labor agreement for Ceasar Brown commencing work December 3, 1816 to work three and a half months at seven and a half dollars per month. | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 7, Day book, 1819-1827 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 1819 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Daybook (in the back of book) includes labor agreements and accounts with Mr. Fortune Dyer, "Colored Man" September 17, 1819 and Cato Sweet, March 25, 1819. | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 8, Journal, 1798-1801 | E & C Greene Records | Accounts | 1798-1801 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Journal includes accounts with Cuff Spencer, 1798-1800 (p. 5, 153). | ||
| Mss 459 Loose Vol. 9, Labor book, 1826-1829 | E & C Greene Records | Labor Book | 2 Apr 1827 | Warwick/ East Greenwich | Record of William Thomas "black boy," April 2, 1827. | ||
| Mss 9001-E Box 1 | Earle, William | Accounts | 1766-1768 | Providence | Settles account with Prince Milard for five days work (17 Dec 1766); settles account with Simeon Potter of Bristol for labor of himself, Gibb Negro and other unnamed black men (1767); record of accounts with John Waterman include prices for men women and children slaves: "Debt [Copr?] Wm Earle his Acct Currt with John Waterman N768 To 5 Men Slaves at 120 600 To 4 Women at 100 400 To 1 boy at 100 100 To 4 boys at 110 440 To 3 men at 120 360 To 4 boys & one girl 80 400 One order from Mr [Verhayes?] 94 A gl Empty Hog & [Cane?] Expence 18 A gl women 110 110 [for?] yre men 130 650 for three Trips with me boat 130 for Empty Hog from Mr [A-hly] 10 Gall: 4292 by 5 Hogs rum Containing 439 [gal] [by] 6 Hogs rum ditto 527 [gal] [by] 6 Hogs rum ditto 505 [gal] [by] 5 Hogs rum ditto 423 [gal] for Mr de Kort 1122 [gal] [by] 5 Hogs rum 417 [gal] for Mr de [V--t] 746 [gal] Gall: 4179 du John Woortman 23 [Sabro C rrore Comanti-- ] December 15th 1768" | ||
| Mss 9001-E Loose Vol. Ship Accounts, 1744-1777 | Earle, William | Accounts | 17 Dec 1766 | Providence | Accounts list Negro James (1774), Hamlet (1774-76), Greenwich (1774), "my negro Cuggo" (1775-76), "my negro Tom" (1775), and possibly others. See tab for EARLE following Index for full transcriptions. | ||
| Mss 9001-E Box 2 | Easton, Elizabeth | Will | 7 Jul 1800 | Newport | In her will she emancipates Violet and Rose and leaves personal property to Violet. | ||
| Mss 9001-E Box 2 Folder: Easton, Jonathan (Newport) d. 1796 (1754-1785) | Easton, Jonathan | Will, Manumission | 22 May 1777, 3 Jan 1783 | Newport | (d. 1796) In his will he bequeaths Cato, Newport, Ann, Bess, Rose and Amy to his children; manumission of his "Negro Man Slave named Abraham" | ||
| Mss 9001-E Box 2 Folder: Easton, Nicholas (Newport) Documents 1770-1805 | Easton, Nicholas | Will | 8 Jan 1770 | Newport | Documents include his Will in which he bequeaths to nephew Nicholas Easton "my negro man servant named Sam and my negro woman servant named Peg"; to my cousin Sarah "one of my two negro children Abigail & Valentine she to take her choice of them at my decease." See tab for EASTON following Index for full transcription. | ||
| Mss 9001-E Box 2 Folder: Easton, Nicholas (Newport) Estate of Richard Hazard. | Easton, Nicholas | Indenture | 26 Apr 1764 | Newport | "This INDENTURE witnesseth, That Nicholas Easton of Newport in the County of Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island, Esqr., and Susannah Hazard of South Kingston in the County of Kings County and the said Colony, widow, (Executors of the Last Will and Testament of Richard Hazard late of South Kingstown in the County of Kings County and the Colony aforesaid Yeoman deceased) have and by these Presents, do put and bind a Negro Boy named Peter (late belonging to the said Richard Hazard deceased but now belongs to Robert Hazard, son of the said Richard) Apprentice to Thomas Hazard Junr. of Newport aforesaid, Yeoman, to learn the Art, Trade, or Mystery of a Husbandman & with him after the Manner of an Apprentice, to serve from the Eleventh day of this instant April for and during the Term of Twelve Years, next ensuing, to be compleat and ended. During all which said Term the said Apprentice his said Master faithfully shall serve, his Secrets keep, his lawful Commands gladly obey: he shall do no Damage to his said Master nor see it done by others, without letting or giving Notice thereof to his said Master he shall not waste his said Masters Goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any. He shall not commit Fornication, nor contract Matrimony within the said Term. At Cards, Dice, or any other lawful Game, he shall not play, whereby his said Master may have Damage, with his own Goods, or the Goods of otheres: he shall not absent himself by Day or by Night, from his said Masters Service, without his Leave; or haunt Ale-houses, Taverns, or Play-houses; but in all Things behave himself as a good and faithful Apprentice ought to do, towards his said Master and all his during said Term. And the said Master do he hereby promise to teach and instruct, or cause the said Apprentice to be taught and instructed in the Art, Trade, or Calling of a Husbandman by the best Ways and Means he can within the said Term, Finding and providing for the said Apprentice sufficient Meat Drink Washing Lodging and Apparel during said Term. And at the expiration thereof to give unto the said apprentice such apparel as he shall then have. In Testimony whereof, the Parties of these Presents have hereunto interchangeable set their Hands and Seals, the twenty sixth Day of April in the Fourth Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the Third King of Great Britain, &c. Annoq. Dom. 1764. Nicholas Easton [&] Susannah Hazard." | ||
| Mss 9001-E Box 2 Folder: Easton, Peter Will 28 Apr 1691 | Easton, Peter | Will | 28 Apr 1691 | Newport | A copy of his last will, leaves Simon, Tom, Sam, Sue, and Kate to various family members. The will manumits Primus and gives him items of real property. "I give my man Primus, his time servitude, for the Love he has bour unto me, and also I give him his Bed he lies in, and Beding, and Twenty Shillings in Silver Money, and his wearing Clothes." | ||
| Mss 877 | Edward & Angell Legal Files, 1975-1978 | Legal Documents (copies) | 1975-1978 | Providence | This collection consists of evidence presented in a 1975 suit by the Narragansett Indians against the owners of their former tribal land in Charlestown, R.I. The land had been sold by the state of Rhode Island in 1890. The collection includes copies of evidence presented by both the plaintiff and the defendants in this suit, and collected by the Providence legal firm of Edwards and Angell, which represented the Narragansetts in the case. Both legal teams made an effort to uncover every scrap of evidence relating to Narragansett land claims, dating back to the first European visit to Rhode Island by Verrazano in 1524. The most important known documents relating to the Narragansetts are copied in this file, including early deeds, the tribal minute book from 1850 to 1860, the 1881 report listing accepted tribal members, and numerous petitions made to the Rhode Island General Assembly. See Finding Aid for detailed list/locations of individual documents. Also see Mss 369, Paul Campbell Research Notes. |
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| Mss 406 | Ellery, Christopher Papers | Deed of sale | 26 Oct 1796 | Newport | 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 407 Series 2: Miscellaneous Folder 2: Account Books | Ellery, William Papers | Accounts | 1780-1815 | Includes two small volumes of accounts with servants and laborers in Newport, 1780-1820. In the first volume are a page of accounts with “George (son of Jenny Weeden) a black boy came to live at my house Apl 7th 1805" (page 1); an account with “a black man named Hammond Tanner” in 1795 (signed by “Hammorn Tanner”) (page 17); and “Abigail Tweedy a black Woman”, 1798 (page 26). In the second volume are “Wilson Lawton a black man” in 1807 (page 2), “Binah a black girl” and “Chloe Sherman a black girl” in 1812 (page 15); “Phillis a black woman” in 1815 (page 17). Both volumes also list dozens of other servants of indeterminate race. | |||
| Mss 408 Box 1, Folder: P5 | Esten Papers | Custody Bond | 16 Sept 1742 | Providence | "Whereas Mr John Hopkins as Dept Sheriff of ye County of Providence hath this Day attached a Negroe girl named Cloo ye Estate of Mr Willm Huston of Sd Providence at my (ye Subscribers) suit & hath also left her in my Custody, I therefore promise yt ye sd Negroe shall be forthcoming & ready to be produced, when ye nature & necessity of ye foresd suit requires it as Witness my hand ye 16th day of Sept. 1742 Geo. Taylor." | ||
| Mss 408 Box 1, Folder: P5 | Esten Papers | Auction Notice | 18 Jan 1742 | Providence | "Notice is hereby given yt on Friday ye 28th [Instant] will be sold at public [bondice?] at ye House of Mr John Hopkins in Providence, sundry sorts of shop goods & one likely negroe girl, for prompt pay all being part of ye Estate of Mr William Huston late of sd Providence the Promises to be soon before ye sale begins. Dated ye 18th of Jany 1742. Thos Rice Sheriff." | ||
| Mss 408 Box 1, Folder: P5 | Esten Papers | Public Notice | 30 Jan 1742 | Providence | "Whereas public Notice hath been given by Thomas Rice Esqr High Sheriff of ye County of Providence of ye Sale of sundry shop goods a likely negroe girl a farm at a place called ye Divels Hole & ye Proffits of those Lands that [devolved] upon William Huston by his Wife being all taken by virtue of divers Executions against sd Huston which Sale was begun but not finished These are to give notice yt ye aforesd sale is continuied unto Wednesday ye Ninth day of February now next coming at ye House of Capt John Hopkins at ten o the Clock befornoon Dated Jany 30th 1742 Thos. Rice Sheriff." | ||
| Mss 197 Series 1, Box 3, Folder 9: Complaints, 1800-1809 | Exeter Town Records | Complaint | 26 Feb 1806 | Exeter | Complaint that Quam Chapman, belonging to heirs of John Chapman, stole shoes from Thomas Phillips store. | ||
| Mss 197 Series 2, Box 8, Folder 6: Indentures | Exeter Town Records | Indenture | 2 Oct 1797 | Exeter | Indenture of Susannah Brown a "Black Girl and daughter of Roseannah Brown". This is the only indenture where a racial designation is made in this collection of about 29. | ||
| Mss 197 Series 3, Box 8, Folder 2: Overseer of the poor, 1780-1789/1790-1799 | Exeter Town Records | Order | 13 Jun 1797 | Exeter | Order for the removal of Roseannah Brown, a black woman of South Kingstown. | ||
| Mss 197 Series 3, Box 8, Folder 7: Bastard File, 1774-1809 | Exeter Town Records | Complaint | 13 Jan 1800 | Exeter | Complaint in which Janey Weight, single woman, accuses John Junion of North Kingstown, "Blackman", of being the father of her "female Bastard Child" born in Exeter in 1798. | ||
| Mss 197 Series 4, (Oversize) Loose Vol: Tax Rate List, 1767-1778 | Exeter Town Records | Tax List | 1767-1778 | Exeter | List of Rateable Estate: Indicates names of slave owners, but not slaves' names. | ||
| Mss 9001-F Loose Vol. | Female Beneficent Society Papers | Record Book | 1809-1881 | Pawtucket | Records include black recipients of assistance. Also indicated is money given to the African Colonization Society (September 1, 1820 and possibly other dates). | ||
| *Mss 412 | Fenner, Joseph J. Papers | Receipt | Feb 1802 | Providence | Receipted bill for goods sold to Jude Cook and Mingo | ||
| Mss 412 Series 3: Joseph J. Fenner Accounts, Loose Vol. 1: Journal of General Store & Stonecutting Business, 1806-1812 | Fenner, Joseph J. Papers | Payment | 27 Jun 1807 | Providence | Stone cutter paid Cato Greene for labor (p.14). | ||
| Mss 412 Series 3: Joseph J. Fenner Accounts, Box 3, Folder 16: Accounts 1824, 1825, mics | Fenner, Joseph J. Papers | Writ | 22 Feb 1825 | Providence | Wanton Gardner, a laborer, is sought for attachment for his debt to Fenner. | ||
| Mss 412 Series 3: Joseph J. Fenner Accounts, Box 3, Folder 4: Accounts, 1800-1829, stonecutter | Fenner, Joseph J. Papers | Bill | 23 Dec 1825 | Providence | Receipted bill to "Brister a coloured man" for a hearth stove. | ||
| Mss 417 | First Baptist Church Records (Providence) | Membership | n.d. | Providence | Black members of the church are named throughout the membership records. Names include Mary Almy, Phillis Anderson, Violet Brown Johnson, Mary Ann Brown (wife of Pero), Mrs. Betsey Brown, Hannah Hopkins Colen, Phillis Church, Eliza Jackson Green, Anstis Greene and others. See Finding Aid for guidance to this collection. | ||
| Mss 417 REMOVED FROM COLLECTION TO CHURCH ARCHIVIST | First Baptist Church Records (Providence) | Baptismal Record | 2 Nov 1815 | Providence | In records book 2, Flora Thurston received in baptism (p. 170). | ||
| Mss 418 Box 1, Folder 2: Cash book/Ledger/Donation Book, 1803-1807 | First Congregational Church of Newport | Ledger | 1805-1807 | Newport | Includes contributions for Newport Gardner | ||
| Mss 418 Box 2, Volume: Contribution Book, 1804-1807, 1820-24 | First Congregational Church of Newport | Contribution Book | 1810-1825 | Newport | Includes receipts to sexton Newport Gardner | ||
| Mss 9001-F Box 4 | Flagg, Henry | Seamen's Protection | 1821 | Newport | Flagg is described as having a "Copper complexion and black wooley hair." | ||
| Mss 9001-F Loose Vol: Daybook #5 | Foster and Waterman | Day Book | 1788-1789 | Providence and Smithfield | Entries identify Cato Freeman (September 18, 1788), Quaco Butler, Duke Waterman and Prince (October 6, 1788), Cato Gardner (December 25, 1788), Seasar Jerebee (October 14, 1789) and possibly others. | ||
| Mss 198 Box 5, Folder 14: Minutes and Warrants, 1860-1869 | Foster Town Records Collection | Warrant | Apr 1864 | Foster | "Article VI. The assessors of each town or city shall assess a poll tax of one dollar annually, upon every male inhabitant of the age of twenty one years and upwards, excepting paupers, lunatics, persons non compotes mentis, persons under guardianship, convicts, members of the Narragansett tribe of Indians, and persons unable to contribute to the public charges, which said poll tax shall be payable at the same time and collected in the same manner as are the other taxes of said Town or city: and the proceeds of such poll tax shall be applied to the support of public schools." | ||
| Mss 421 | Foster, Capt. Robert W. Papers | Correspondence | 1873 | Letter from ship captain Robert W. Foster to Charles Briggs, complaining about two freedmen working as port wardens at New Orleans: "Moses Briggs a black man has been for the last four years a night watchman. (Ignorant as a goose.) Dajoie a black man is by trade a Baker and who for some length of time has served in that capacity on board River Steamers. (Still more ignorant. Both emerged from slavery and are semi-barbarous.)" | |||
| Mss 424 Loose Vol. 16 | Foster, Theodore Papers | Tax List | 1778 | Providence | Pages 1-6. 1778 tax list of Providence includes number of slaves owned (slaves are not individually named) | ||
| Mss 424 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 23: Principles of Law, p. 37 | Foster, Theodore Papers | Notes | c. 1770 | Providence | Theodore Foster studied law as a young man and became a lawyer. This volume contains the notes he made during his studies. Most of the volume is examples of different types of legal documents. Page 37 contains a sample document that he titled "Declaration in Case for Warrenty of a Negro." It involves a negro boy offered for sale and advertised as being free of disease. However, the boy did have "a secrect and dangerous disease called the yaws" which caused his death after the sale was completed to his new master. It appears to be a copy from an actual case but identifying information was intentionally changed by Foster in his copy. | ||
| Mss 424 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 1: Vol. 9, p. 309-312 | Foster, Theodore Papers | Notes | 1800 | Providence | Copied extracts created by Foster in 1800 from the "Case of Connecticut and Mohegan Indians" which includes a genealogy and lineage of Uncas, "Sachem of Moheag" as declared by him in 1692, the testimony of Thomas Stanton from 1738, and testimony of Mr. Bolan in 1743. | ||
| Mss 424 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 1: Vol. 9, p. 77 | Foster, Theodore Papers | Notes | 1730-1791 | Providence | Notes relating to the history of Rhode Island, 1730-1791 , "Numbers of the inhabitants of the State at different periods" Broken down by year, county, and ethnicity (white, black, and Indian). | ||
| Mss 424 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 2, Vol. 12 | Foster, Theodore Papers | Notes | 1784 | Providence | Volume contains a history and description of Kentucky by an unknown author in 1784. The notes include mileage tables for the distance between Philadelphia and various points along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. One of the places on the list is the "Village of the Alabama Indians" which was 1,770 miles by boat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers from Pittsburgh and 60 miles north of New Orleans. | ||
| Mss 424 Series 2, Box 5, Folder 4: Diary 1795 | Foster, Theodore Papers | Diary | Aug 1795 | Providence | "Mr. Stephen Tillinghast and Daughter Theodosia Their son George, [Mr. Norse?] Mrs. Boldwen and the Negro Boy John arrived at my House this day from New York." | ||
| Mss 426 Box 1, Folder 3: Diary, Feb 14 - Dec 27, 1793 | Francis Family Papers | Diary | 1793 | Providence | Entries in pocket diary of John Francis (1763-1796) mention famous African-American ship captain: April 15, 1793- "Paul Cuffee of Westport master schooner Mary for 500 bushels salt is to deliver 83 2/3 codfish 20 Oct. next as security he has a note for 200 dr deposited" and again on October 20, 1793. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 1, Folder 1: Marriages by…& Memorandum | Gano, Stephen | Diary | 1813-1814 | Providence | Frequently ministers to people of color: "Baptised 9 o'clock Betsey Harmons, a woman of colour at Soldy Point." [1/03/1813] "Baptised at 11 o'clock Geo. C. Nathen a man of color." [2/06/1813] "Funeral of a black woman." [2/24/1813; 3/30/1813; 4/15/1813; 10/24/1813; 6/28/1814] "Funeral of a black man aged 83." [2/25/1813] "Funeral of black child 16 yrs consumption." [7/31/1813] "Funeral black woman dropsey." [8/03/1813]; "Church meeting. One person of colour related her hope." [2/03/1814] "Funeral black infant." [3/02/1814; 4/22/1814]; "Baptised a woman of color immediately after meeting who was very sick." [4/10/1814] "Funeral of a black man." [7/29/1814] "Married Randall Nightingale and Joan Faes (people of color)." [8/14/1814] "Funeral of an aged black woman." [9/18/1814] "Funeral of a black child." [12/25/1814] "Committee meeting evening a man of color related God's gracious dealings with him." [2/02/1813] | ||
| Mss 629 sg 8 Box 1, Folder 8: Petitions & Depositions, 1785-1794 | Gardiner Family Papers | Deposition | 1788 | South Kingstown | Depositions regarding slaves owned by the Gardiner family, by Nathan Gardiner, Sr. Be it remembered that in his proper person came Thomas Potter of South Kingston in the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Esq. and being duly sworn before Nathaniel Helms junr Esq. one of the Justices in Commision for the peace duly engaged according to Law, testifieth and saith that he has had a very intimate Acquaintance with Nathan Gardner & Family of said South Kingston for upwards of thirty Years last past and that he hath there sun a Negro Woman Called Prudy which he always deemed and looks to be a slave and that Quam a Negro so called was reputed to be the son of said Prudy and by the said Nathan held as a Slave agreably to law until about two Years from when he departed his said Masters Service - and that the said Prudy is now held by said Nathan in his family as a Slave agreably to Law. Be it remembered that in his proper person came Caleb Gardner of South Kingston in the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Esq and being duly sworn before Nathaniel Helms junr Esq one of the Justices in Commision for the peace of the County afored. duly engaged according to Law deposeth and said that to his certain knowledge ~ Fletus Gardner (a Negro Man so called) was born a slave to Henry Gardner of sd South Kingston Esq and by him held as a slave agreably to the laws of said State until about two years since when the said Fletus departed from his said Master's service also that Quam Gardner (a Negro Man so called) was born and held by Nathan Gardner of sd. South Kingston Yeoman as a Slave agreably to the laws of said State until about two years since when the said Quam departed his said masters service and that the said Quam & Fletus were always reputed as Slaves by the Inhabitants of said Town that were acquaintedwith their circumstances and that the Mother of the said Quam and the Mother of the said Fletus are now held in the service of said Henry Gradner & Nathan Gardner as Slaves. Caleb Gardner |
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| Mss 629 sg 8 Box 2, Folder 11: Receipts, 1766-1802 | Gardiner Family Papers | Bill of Sale | 1770 | South Kingstown | Mary Gardiner to Nathan Gardiner, Jr., for negro man named Jeffry, aged "about twenty years" | ||
| Mss 629 sg 8 Box 2, Folder 14: Gardiner Family, 1786-1831 | Gardiner Family Papers | Account | 1797 | South Kingstown | Cuff Henry Gardiner, account for work done to Ebenezer Adams | ||
| Mss 629 sg 8 Box 2, Folder 14: Gardiner Family, 1786-1831 | Gardiner Family Papers | Receipt | 13 July 1801 | South Kingstown | Receipt on behalf of Mrs. Sarah Adams, widow of Ebenezer Adams for money received of Cuff Henry Gardiner, R.F. Noyes | ||
| Mss 1015 Folder 2, Ledger 1785-1805 | Gardiner, Oliver Papers | Accounts | 30 May 1796 | North Kingstown | Includes accounts with Cuf Gardner, 5/30/1796 - labor exchanged for groceries. (not identified as POC) | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 1 | Gardner, Edward | Receipt | 20 Sep 1754 | South Kingstown | "South Kingstown September the 20th 1754 Then Recd of Ezekiel Gardner of North Kingstown in the County of Kings County &c yeoman the full and Just sum of Three Hundred and Thirty pounds Currant money of the Colony of Rhode Island for one Negro Garl Named Doll, which sd Negro the Sd Ezekiel Gardner and his Heirs or assigns are to Have and to Hold from this Time forward as his and their own free Estate, and I the sd Edward Gardner of Newport in the County of Newport &c yeoman do hereby obliege my self and my Heirs the sd Negro Doll for ever to warrant and Defend In Witness whereof I the sd Edward Gardner have hereunto sett my hand and seal the Day and year above written in the presence of vs Jeffrey Watson Margarett Smith Edward Gardner" | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 1 | Gardner, Elisha R. | Indenture | 30 Sep 1801 | South Kingstown | Agreement to bind out Zealous, son of Hannah Gardner, as an apprentice. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 1 | Gardner, Ezekiel | Deed of Sale | 23 Aug 1797 | North Kingston | Sale to George Irish for "one negro man slave for Life named Mingo." | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 2, Folder: Last Will & Testament 26 Mar 1743 | Gardner, Nicholas | Will | 26 Mar 1743 | Exeter | In his last will and testament he leaves Cuff, Pegg, Fillis (and child) and Cezer to his children. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 2 | Gardner, Richard | Deed | Oct 1783 | South Kingston | Deed for sale of an infant to Freelove Gardner "So called a black woman" for six pence. | ||
| Mss 434 Box 1, Folder 12: Letter from Ezra Stiles to Rev. Elihu Spencer | Gaspee Papers | Correspondence | 16 Feb 1773 | Providence | "The Negro-Indian witness was brought ashore and examined at the Courthouse by the Commissioners in private after which he was returned onboard. . . . This fellow's mother was an Indian at Little Compton, and being free, was by The Town Council put out as a poor child in youth to a man on Prudence till age 21 and supra, and wanted to be free and differed with his master - and upon the burning of the Gaspee ran off and went Abroad as an Informer, but really to get away from his Master..." | ||
| Mss 434 Box 1, Folder 4: Copy of the Official Documents Relating to the Destruction of the Gaspee | Gaspee Papers | Deposition | Jun 1772 - Jun 1773 | Providence | June 10, 1772, identifies Aaron Biggs, an indentured servant of Capt. Samuel Tompkins of Prudence Island and includes some biographical information (p.11). | ||
| Mss 434 Box 1, Folder 8: Transcription of Rev. Isaac Skillman's sermon, "An Oration upon the Beauties of Liberty, or the Essential Rights of Americans" | Gaspee Papers | Oration | 3 Dec 1772 | Providence | Part of an oration by Rev. Isaac Skillman, pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Boston and printed as the dedication of a Thanksgiving sermon, "It is true, my Lord, the Gaspee-Schooner is destroyed, and thereby the laws of England are violated, as you apprehend, either by Indians out of the woods, or by Rhode Islanders, I cannot say who; but it is query with one, my Lord, whether there be any law broke in burning the Gaspee Schooner. If it was done by the Indians (which is the current report) then there is no law broke: for the Scripture says, where there is no law, there is no transgression. And it is well known that the Indians were never under any law to the English." | ||
| Mss 753 Box 1, Ledger #1, 1794-1800 | George Thurston & Son Records | Accounts | 1794-1800 | Hopkinton | Weaving book accounts include Robbin Babcock (Negro), Sezar Babcock (Negro), Rose Boss (Negro), Lyman Kerdan (Indian), and Samson Samuel (Negro). | ||
| Mss 753 Box 1, Ledger #5, 1810-1816 | George Thurston & Son Records | Accounts | 1810-1816 | Hopkinton | Ledger includes Barberry "black girl" (p.1, 1815). | ||
| Mss 1004 Box 2: Various Groups, Urban Task Force | Goddard, Robert Hale Ives Jr. Papers | Papers | 1970 | Providence | Urban Task Force on the Administration of Justice, 1970: includes notes and reports from this committee studying police violence and racial tensions. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 4 Folder: 1 of 2 | Gorham, Isaac | Log Book | 1785-1790 | Log book of the slave ship Enterprise sailing for Africa under Captain John DeWolf, 1787 | |||
| Mss 9001-G Box 4 Folder: 2 of 2 | Gorham, Isaac | Papers | 1795, n.d. | Includes a receipt for water "Gambia River, Town Gillepus" [7/7/1795]; and an account for cargo: "Phillip Balley in Accompts with Isaac Gorham DR Contra. By 2 Boys Slaves 30 [Jocs] £72" | |||
| Mss 9001-G Box 4, Folder: "Charming Polly" Articles List, 1767 | Gorton, Benjamin | Agreement | 1767 | East Greenwich | Articles of Brigantine Charming Polly list Coff Fry as a seaman and include his wages. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 5 | Gorton, Newport | Order | 25 Jul 1734 | Warwick | Newport Gorton, Hezekiah Gorton's "negro man" is ordered whipped for poisoning Ann Markham and Rebecca French. | ||
| *Mss 9001-G | Goulding, Mary | Will | 21 Feb 1764 | Newport | In her will, she disposes of "her Negro Girl named Sal" and manumits Phillis. | ||
| MSS 9001-G Box 6 | Graves, Zephaniah | Diary | 27 Jan 1807 | Providence | Diary written by Zephaniah Graves, a sea captain who was imprisoned on bastardy charges from Oct 1806 - Mar 1808. His diary includes entries during his time at sea as well as during his imprisonment. He frequently mentions other prisoners, many of whom are men of color. 27 Nov 1806 "About 2 Last Night a Smoke was Discovered in the kichon [sic kitchen] which after some Search was found to come from the Class Prison when the Door was Thrown open a Considerable fire was Discovered under the Door of one of the Class Prisons which had been kindled by a Negro that was confined in the Room in hopes of making his Escape by burning up the Door."; 13 Dec 1805 "This morning I went ashore and started after our Deserted men two Negroes employed in staying in the cabin."; 9 Oct 1806 "At half past seven a Black fellow from Gloucester shipped for Debt by the name of Squilla."; 27 Dec 1806 "A black girl was taken out and received 20 Lashes and was Demanded back to prison subject to the order of the town council"; 25 Dec 1810 In Washington, D.C.: "There is a great parade here with the Blacks who are very numerous, + as a general custom they are alow'd about a week from Christmas as hollidays." | ||
| * | Greene Legal Papers (broken up - all probably in Mss 144 or Mss 452) | Accounts | 1825 | Providence | Martin Miller settles his account with the estate of Stephen Arnold including payment for shoes for Jack Gardner, Priscilie Arnold and unidentified blackman. | ||
| * | Greene Legal Papers (broken up - all probably in Mss 144 or Mss 452) | Case Records | 1834 | Providence | Case of State vs. Hall et al. for riot in Providence. | ||
| Mss 452 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 2: 1826 | Greene, Albert Collins Papers | Petition | 16 Sep 1826 | Burrillville | A remonstrance to Attorney General Albert C. Greene signed by thirteen citizens of Burrillville, countering an unspecified complaint by Hezekiah Smith and John Solomon, a "Man of Collor" of Burrillville, against several citizens of Burrillville. In response, Smith and Solomon are accused of cutting timber illegally, and "thay kep a bad hous fiting screeming murder rautling the nabors nite after nite and ... whiped one of their children and ... stole a gun from Andrew Stone." | ||
| Mss 452 Series 3, Box 10, Folder 3: Daybook and memoranda book, 1815-1817 | Greene, Albert Collins Papers | Daybook and Memoranda Book | 1815-1817 | East Greenwich/ Warwick | 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 Series 6, Box 13, Folder 6: Rhode Island vs. Sarah Howland | Greene, Albert Collins Papers | Court Proceedings | 1827 | East Greenwich/ Warwick | Proceeding relating to the trial of Rhode Island vs. Sarah Howland ("colored woman") who was tried twice & convicted twice of murdering Daniel Charles in 1826. | ||
| Mss 452 Series 6, Box 13, Folder 124: Rhode Island vs. John Gardner, William Jordan and Richard Johnson, 1831 | Greene, Albert Collins Papers | Deposition | 1831 | East Greenwich/ Warwick | Depositions relating to the infamous Olney Lane or Snowtown race riot. See tab for AC GREENE following Index for full transcriptions. | ||
| Mss 452 Series 6, Box 14, Folder 53: Rhode Island vs Amasa Walmsley & Thomas J. Walmsley, 1831-1833 | Greene, Albert Collins Papers | Case Records | 1833 | Providence | State v. Walmsley. Records and examinations involving Amasa Walmsley ("man of colour...wall layer") and his brother Thomas who are accused of murdering their Aunt Hannah Frank of Burrillville and John Burke, "a foreigner." | ||
| Mss 452 Series 6, Box 14, Folder 92: Rhode Island vs George Fuller & Charles Nobles, 1835 | Greene, Albert Collins Papers | Deposition | 30 Sep 1835 | Providence | Depositions of Mary Ann Elizabeth Gardner (wife of John Gardner) and others, in the case of State vs. George Fuller and Charles Nobles. | ||
| Microfilm E263 R4 G833 Mss 455 | Greene, Colonel Christopher Collection | Papers | Papers of Col. Christopher Greene, including orderly books, 10/5/1776- 6/11/1777, and returns of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, 1776-1779. Includes return of casualties in the black regiment which would include men injured or killed in the Battle of Red Bank, and other papers, 1777-1781 (7 items). | ||||
| Mss 470 Series I, Box 1, Folder 13: Pocket Expense Book, 1800-1803 | Greene, Colonel Christopher Collection | Accounts | 1801-1803 | Warwick | Records payments for labor of Newport Hall in his pocket expense record. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 7 Greene, Elizabeth of Warwick | Greene, Elizabeth | Bill | 1781, n.d. | Warwick | Includes: Bill (1781) against the State of Rhode Island for the boarding and nursing of Nathaniel Wickes, a black soldier in Col. Christopher Greene's Regiment; Bill of sale (November 20, 1781) for three year old Nat to Elizabeth's son, Thomas Greene; Inventory (n.d.) that lists "Negro Woman Harly and her Child." | ||
| Mss 462 Box 1, Folder 2: Ledger, 1775-1778 | Greene, Jacob Papers | Accounts | 1775-1798 | Coventry | Accounts with Black Betty, Job Sambow (coffins for Sambow's mother, November 1776), Mercy Sambow, Cesar Sweet (boarding), Sambo (April 1776), and Samuel Ward of Westerly, "cash to your negro Phillis" (February 1776). | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 8, Folder: of Potowomot, 1731, 1745-1748, 1766, 1768 | Greene, John | Papers | 1731, 1745-1748 | Potowomut | Indenture of Sarah, born in his house of his Indian servant, Marcy, as a servant or apprentice [2 May 1731]; Account listing payments for use of "Prince" [28 Mar 1745, 30 Mar 1747, 10 Oct 1747], "my negro killing hogs" [7 Oct 1746], "my John shearing sheep 2 days" [1747 & 1748] | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 8 | Greene, John Wickes | Journal | 1836-1838 | Providence | Mary L. Greene's journal entries are copied into the back portion of the journal. Includes: "Phillis Barton a coloured woman died." [2/15/1836] "Philis Barton the coloured woman buried today." [2/17/1836] "We have heard of two more deaths Rhodes Budlong and William Lippitt (a coloured man) in heaven there is no distinction." [2/19/1836] | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 8 | Greene, Katherine (Ray) | Accounts | 1776 | Warwick | Accounts with Sarah Sambo, Betty Quaco, Mercy Ceasor, Vilot, Black Hannah, Barbary Cuff, Betty Newport and others. They are hetchelling flax, weaving and spinning | ||
| Mss 464 Loose Vol. Nathanael Greene & Co. Ledger, 1744-1774 | Greene, Major General Nathaneal Collection | Accounts | 1744-1774 | Potowomut | Ironworks, store ledger: account of Sam Bow (p. 18), Jack Negro of Coventry (p. 183) and Mary Sambo (p. 189) | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 9 | Greene, Mary Almira (Waterman) | Journal | 9 Feb 1836 | Providence | She records a brief history about Cuff Waterman (d. 1815), his wife Cola (d. 1828), daughter Eunice (d. 1871), son Julius, Hart Greene, Prince Waterman, James Budlong, and Binah. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Loose Vol. | Greene, Perry & Taylor, Thomas | Ledger | 1765-1775 | Warwick | Entries include Job Sambo of North Kingston (p. 234, 269, 449, 492), Mercy Sambo (p. 249, 257, 258, 260, 314, 330, 344, 361, 405, 415, 440, 469, 490, 491, 559, 564, 566), Cesar Sweet of Potowamet (p. 322, 405, 467), and Primus Rhodes, sailor (p. 371, 418, 476). | ||
| Mss 465 Box 1, Folder 4: 1794- | Greene, Ray (1765-1849) Papers | Correspondence | 11 Mar 1797 | Warwick | Letter from members of the Abolition Society (Thomas Arnold, William Buffum, Edward Thurber, David Buffum, George Benson, Oziel Wilkinson, Thomas Hazard, Jr., Obadiah Brown, and William Almy) to Ray Greene, U.S. Attorney for the district of Rhode Island regarding the ship Ann. "We having cause to impart that the Ship Ann...has been Employed in a Voyage to Africa for Slaves Contrary to Law...." | ||
| Mss 144 Series 5, Box 28, Folder 54: Asa Handy vs Comfort Wheaton, undated | Greene, Richard Ward Papers | Case Records | Providence | Accounts of Asa Handy include charges to Comfort Wheaton for care by Cato and Betsey Clark. | |||
| Mss 144 Series 5, Box 21, Folder 39: Nathan Mathewson; will, 1834 | Greene, Richard Ward Papers | Will | 1834 | Providence | Nathan Mathewson in North Carolina, owner of substantial property in Providence, makes disposition of his slaves who are probably in North Carolina. | ||
| Mss 144 Series 2, Box 3, Folder 5: 1834 | Greene, Richard Ward Papers | Correspondence | 8 Aug 1834 | Providence/Newport | George Turner to Greene concerning Benjamin G. Thompson of Newport, son of Susan and Charles. Thompson did not return home from voyage to Havana as a cook on the schooner Franklin Greene. Although the captain maintains that the boy ran away, his mother is sure he was kidnapped or sold. | ||
| Mss 9001-G Box 10 | Greene, Thomas Lippitt (Capt.) | Accounts | 1812, 1814-1815 | Warwick | Includes: Payment for shoes for his "niggro" [12 Jun 1812]; Partnership with Anthony Holden, Greene records their settlement with wood cutters in a paper labeled "Wood Sold for Act. of A.H. & T.L.G." Labor payments include "Cuff Lippitts boy." | ||
| Mss 1118 Folder 1: Committee to inspect land records | Greene, William (1695-1758) Papers | Committee Report | 10 Mar [1729] | General assembly appointed "us the Subscribers to Inspect into the Severall Grand Purchase or Grants made by the Proprietors of the following Towns (Either of the Natives or the Government) Viz Providence, Warwick, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, and Westerly. . ." The committee members call upon people with grants and deeds to the western section of the state to come forward with the documents. Signed by Henry Bull, Francis Willett, William Greene | |||
| Mss 468 Folder 1 | Greene, William (1731-1809) Papers | Indenture | 27 Oct 1761 | Warwick | Indenture of Ezekel Pomp by Abigal Pomp an Indian woman of New Shoreham to William and Catharine Greene | ||
| Mss 468 Folder 6 | Greene, William (1731-1809) Papers | Correspondence | 27 Jun 1780 | Warwick | Letter from Samuel Ward, Camp North Kingstown - black regiment to march soon, need supplies: "In consequence of orders from Gen. Heath the Blacks will march Fryday or Saturday next." | ||
| Mss 468 Folder 13 | Greene, William (1731-1809) Papers | Correspondence | 7 Jun 1792 | Warwick | Letter from Greene to wife Catharine (Ray) Greene regarding building of cider house: ". . .our onions have been weed twice and are now doing the third time, and Cato is to Day cleaning out the Garden, we finished planting the swamp the week past " | ||
| Mss 468 Folder 14 | Greene, William (1731-1809) Papers | Account Book | 1787-1796 | Warwick | Account book with farm entries for William Greene and business entries for Ray Greene, Attorney. Also includes a treatise on the theory that there is a temperate region beyond the poles written by an unknown person. Also an entry for cash paid to Cesar Northup in Sept. 1796 (p. 28). | ||
| Mss 468 Folder 14 | Greene, William (1731-1809) Papers | Account Book | 1792-1801 | Warwick | Account book of William Greene with several notations made by Ray Greene settling accounts on behalf of his father. Accounts with local people for work and goods which include entries with at least three men of color and possibly others: Samuel Sambo (p.106), Ichabod Northup (p.107) and Cato Tweedy (p.112). | ||
| Mss 469 Box 1, Folder 1: Loose Accounts, 1776-1779 | Greene, William (1743-1826) Papers | Accounts | 1776-1779 | East Greenwich | Account book includes the names of Mercy Sambo (1777, p.?) and Negro Princ [Prince] (Dec. 2, 1778, p. 132) as receiving payment for labor. | ||
| Mss 469 Box 1, Folder 1: Loose Accounts, 1776-1779 | Greene, William (1743-1826) Papers | Correspondence | 2 Dec 1799 | East Greenwich | Business letter from Benjamin Greene of Warwick Neck. A reply is expected to be carried by Benjamin Greene's servant "the black boy, Joshua". | ||
| Mss 472 Folder 1: Miscellaneous Correspondence | Griffin, Joseph H. Papers | Correspondence | 12 Jul 1835 | Letter received from Evan Hazard in Huntsville, AL dated July 12, 1835 describing conditions in Alabama.: "...the principal men are wealthy verry wealthy there are a great many men in the county that own a hundred working negros (besides children) and a hundred thousand acres of land there was one man a planter died here not long since that owed over a hundred thousand dollars but it took but a small part o his estate to pay it he owned over a hundred thousand acres of land well stocked with negros his heirs wanted to keep possession of the land and they sold 129 negros a auction here in town they sold from $800 to $1500 a piece. . ." | |||
| Mss 9001-G Box 12 | Gross, Carl R., Dr. | Research Notes | n.d. | Research notes on African-Americans in Rhode Island, by an African-American physician and historian, including: an unpublished paper titled “A Brief History on the Life of Matilda Sissieretta (Joyner) Jones, the 'Black Patti', 1869-1933"; a list of Rhode Island stops on the Underground Railroad; short biographies of African-Americans in law and in the General Assembly; exhibition catalogues and other notes on artist Edward Mitchell Bannister; miscellaneous newspaper clippings; and Gross' 1971 obituary. | |||
| MSS 473 | Gross, Edward Tudor Diaries | Diary | 1903 | Rhode Island; Puerto Rico; Cuba | Edward Tudor Gross kept diaries from the age of 11 until his death at the age of 69. The following are excerpts from his diaries relating to people of color. “We drove to Warren. Saw some Indians on the way.”[6/20/1893]; “Went to a ‘reception' at Mr. Angel's. Got there at 8.30 and rang the bell 6 times before getting let in by a ‘jolly’ coon from ‘Thillinghasts.’ [Tillinghast's] . . . The coon had a good time also and was quite familiar.” [1/01/1896]; “Enjoyed seeing the darkies load and unload freight. They yell and sing.” [3/22/1899]; “Went to Providence Opera House to see John Drew in ‘The Second in Command.’ Sat in Nigger heaven.” [4/12/1902]; “In Porto Rica [Puerto Rico] – Niggers and hot weather everywhere. Walked around town followed by scores of children (black) who scrambled for pennies.” [1/19/1903]; “Saw some ‘queer sights’ in one of the negro huts. Took photos of some.” [1/20/1903]; “Office of membership committee of YMCA. We agreed that Negroes should not be kept out.” [10/22/1914]; In Havana “The Colored people paraded at night with weird African music. Hard to get to sleep.” [3/19/1939] | ||
| Mss 629 sg 10 Box 1, Folder 1: Correspondence, 1848-1855 and undated | Hagadorn-Wells Papers | Correspondence | n.d. | South Kingstown | Sarah (Wells) Clark to her father Thomas Robinson Wells describes a lecture (Massachusetts) by Mr. Allen, a lawyer of Boston, on the history of the African race: "It was very interesting indeed, equal to most any of the lectures we have had, and superior to some" | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 1, Folder 1: William Hall, of John | Hall, William | Judgement | Aug 1767 | North Kingston | Hall's request for a repeal of a judgement of Feb 1767 in favor of Nicholas Spencer against him in Inferior Court of Common Pleas concerning an unnamed negro girl. | ||
| Mss 170 Folder 4: Deeds, 1800-1820 | Halsey, Thomas Lloyd Papers | Deed | 28 Apr 1807 | Providence | Ezekiel Burr to Halsey to deed a lot in "the northerly part" of Providence, gives in its legal description as a reference point "land in the occupation of Bonner Brown and Benjamin Marshall" with no indication of ownership. | ||
| Mss 482 Box 1, Folder 4: Dairy of Sarah (Hawes) Harris, 9/11/1881-3/27/1884 | Harris - Hawes Papers | Diary | 1882 | "This morning Tom went out and brought a coloured girl, a cousin of Tom's to take Agness place wages 3 Dollars pr week" [4/12/1882] | |||
| Mss 482 Box 1, Folder 5: Diary of Sarah (Hawes) Harris, 1/1/1885-1/24/1887 | Harris - Hawes Papers | Diary | 1886 | "Today a black man came and we engaged him to cut the trees at $1.30/load." [2/9/1886] | |||
| Mss 17 Box 2, Folder: 1730 "Narrative of Slave Revolt on Ship off Africa" | Harris Family Papers | Testimony | 1730 | Testimony of George Scott of Newport, master of the slaving sloop Little George, which was just beginning the long voyage back from Rhode Island from Africa when a slave revolt broke out. This was one of the earliest known revolts on a Rhode Island slave ship, and one of the very few successful ones. Two sailors and the ship’s doctor, John Harris, were killed, as well as several of the slaves. The captain, first mate, cabin boy and two other crew members were barricaded in the cabin. Their attempt to construct a bomb was unsuccessful and “burnt the man that had the fuze in his hand almost to death” and destroyed most of their gunpowder, as well as their clothes. The slaves’ continuous efforts to storm the cabin failed, and they managed to pilot the ship back to shore with the crew still trapped in the cabin. . . .After the Africans had beached the half-burned vessel and liberated themselves on shore, the ship’s crew managed to row away on the lifeboat for five or six leagues before being picked up by another ship. At the time of their rescue, the crew of the Little George were “in a weak and miserable condition, having had nothing to subsist upon during the nine days we were under this affliction but raw rice.” This testimony is signed “per John Kilton”, who apparently wrote it out. A nearly identical version of this account was published in the Boston News Letter on May 6, 1731. See tab for SCOTT following Index for full transcription. | |||
| Mss 112 Series 2, Subseries A, Loose Vol. 1: Daybook, 1750-1764 | Harris, Benjamin C. Papers | Day Book | 6 Mar 1752 | Providence | David Harris's Day Book: Charges against Daniel Wilbor for cash paid to "old Maney negro," p.7 | ||
| Mss 112 Series 2, Subseries B, Loose Vol. 5: Daybook, 1784-1814 | Harris, Benjamin C. Papers | Day Book | 1784-1814 | Providence | Joseph Harris's Day Book: Accounts with Prince Gardner. | ||
| Mss 112 Series 2, Subseries C, Loose Vol. 7: Ledger #B, 1784-1817 | Harris, Benjamin C. Papers | Ledger | 1784-1817 | Providence | Steven Harris's Accounts with Jeremiah Cesar (p. 61), Jacob Perce (p.72), Cato Gardner (p.100), Samson Hazzard (p.106), John French (p.147), Martha and Phebe Hazzard (p.152), William Clifford (p. 163), Prince Low (p.188), Thomas Brown (p. 196), Sampson Meads (p.196) | ||
| Mss 112 Series 2, Subseries F, Loose Vol. 11: Expenditure Book, 1821-1825 | Harris, Benjamin C. Papers | Accounts | 28 Apr 1823 | Providence | Includes accounts with "Pedro, Black Man" | ||
| Mss 112 Series 2, Subseries F, Loose Vol. 14: Ledger A, 1826-1834 | Harris, Benjamin C. Papers | Ledger | 1828 | Providence | Accounts with Henry Martin (p.171) | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 2 | Harwood, Edward | Accounts | 1813-1845 | Providence | His book of accounts with the town of Providence identifies the poor (including some people of color) who are carried on the town rolls, people jailed or carried out of town. | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 4 | Hazard, Esther | Correspondence | 3 Jan 1781 | South Kingstown | "South Kingstown the 1st mo[n]th 3rd day AD 1781 To Sesar Bolon and Esther Hazard in Preston [Connecticut] Our uncle Thomas Hazard to whom you directed your Letter dated the 28th of the Month called October AD 1780 showed it to us whereby we are informed that Esther And her Children ware purchased by one John Carter who not only demanded them as his Servants But threatned to come again in a short time and carry Esther away requiring a large Sum of money for her Freedom, Now as we are the Residuary Legacies in our Hond Mother's last will and Testament, Wherein She did not only Emancipate Esther, But all the results of her Servants we hereby Certifie on their Behalf in order to prevent further perversion of law and violation of Justice, that we do disclame all Rights to Property in said Esther and her Children and also all Right and clame to whatsoever may have been recover'd by any Action or Lawsute brought in our names by the Executors of our Mother's will aforesaid, endeavouring to Subject said Esther and her Children to a State of Slavery contrary to the good intentions of our Mother And in violation of all good Laws Natural Human And Divine, and as we are fully perswaded that our Mother's Will aforesaid out to be supported and Judged by any Court of Law or Justice Sufficient to Establish the freedom of Esther and her Children Against the Clames of any Claiming under her, And as we who have the Sole Right (if their be any) have freely given it up. All who have any Justice, --- [Piley?] Compasion Commisserations, Mercy or Tender feelings of Humanity or Sympathy with the Distressed or opprestd are calld on for due exertion to Deliver the weak and Injurd out of the hands of The violent opressors,s for whare Law and Justice Are pervert'd, all their advocates out to be alarm'd. George Hazard Benjamin Hazard PS We understand that you have [a] Copy of our Hond Mother Susannah Hazard's Last Will which you may have recourse to for the establishment of necessary Facts." | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 4, Folder 2: Hazard, George (Unidentified) Manumission of Three Slaves, 1785 | Hazard, George | Manumission | 25 Jan 1785 | South Kingstown | Manumission of three slaves: Pierro, Judith and her child, Jenny | ||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 1: Correspondence Box 2, Folder 1: 1835, Jan-Feb | Hazard, Isaac P. Papers | Correspondence | 15 Feb 1835 | South Kingstown | Letter from his brother Rowland G. Hazard in New Orleans in which Rowland discusses his visits with plantation owners showing them samples of fabric, often called "Negro Cloth" that the Hazard's were selling specifically for use in making clothing for the slaves. This letter included 3 samples of the fabric that Rowland was showing to the plantation owners. "I ret'd last evening from my excursion to B. Rouge having been absent 12 days & visited abt 300 plantations - I have made engagements which will scatter our cloths among the planters very generally - They almost all want the double kersey and think it an excellent article." | ||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 2: Financial, Subseries 1: Account Books, Box 4, Folder 1: Account Book, 11/1814-4/1817 | Hazard, Isaac P. Papers | Account Book | 1814-1817 | South Kingstown | Payments to Afro-Americans. See entries for Cesar Potter and Brister | ||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 2: Financial, Subseries 1: Account Books, Box 4, Folder 7: Daily Spinner & Weaver Accounts, 1812-1815 | Hazard, Isaac P. Papers | Account Book | 1812-1815 | South Kingstown | Payments to Ann Brown (Negress), "Mary Trim (Negress)" and Sharper Boss | ||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 2: Financial, Subseries 1: Account Books, Box 4, Folder 14: Ledger, 1815-1820 | Hazard, Isaac P. Papers | Account Book | 1815-1820 | South Kingstown | Cesar Potter's Daughter Betty, "Hetty Stanton (negress)," "Judith Hazard (negress)," "Joseph Potter negro (Exeter)" (pages 30, 34, 38) | ||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 2: Financial, Subseries 2: Loose Accounts, Box 5, Folder 9: 1821 | Hazard, Isaac P. Papers | Accounts | 1821 | South Kingstown | Pay slip to "Joseph Potter (Negro)," for carding 18 pounds, October 1821 | ||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 3: Miscellaneous, Box 8, Folder 20: South Carolina and Nullification Crisis | Hazard, Isaac P. Papers | Pamphlets | n.d. | South Carolina | Undated pamphlets from South Carolina re Nullification Crisis | ||
| Mss 483 sg 13 Series 2: Subject Files, Box 2, Folder 6: Reprints of Newspaper re Great Gale of 1815 | Hazard, Joseph P. Papers | Memorandum | South Kingstown | Memorandum that reads as follows: "Samuel Niles - a mulatto who was born without a hair upon his head, and now lives at Narragansett Pier and keeps a restaurant and is highly esteemed as an honest, useful and respectable citizen. He was a servant of my late father...until my father left Narragansett..." Niles was apparently given a copy of a newspaper on January 21, 1891. | |||
| Mss 483 sg 2, Item #8: Last Will & Testament, Dec 2, 1745 | Hazard, Robert Papers | Will | 2 Dec 1745 | South Kingstown | In his will he makes bequest of "Phebee", "Judah" "Bill" and "Bristo." | ||
| Mss 483 sg 5, Box 25, Folder 2 | Hazard, Rowland G. I Papers | Account | 1836-1837 | South Kingstown | Household account book listing wages paid to servants Mary Ann Hazard and Mary Niles, described as "of colour," 1836-1837 (page 37) and Sarah Sekatie, 1844 (page 65). | ||
| Mss 483 sg 5 | Hazard, Rowland G. I Papers | Correspondence | 1820s-1840s | South Kingstown | Extensive correspondence re sales of "Negro Cloth" for use by southern slaves. Hazard traveled extensively in the South during the 1820s, 1830s and 1840s, and his business sold "Negro cloth" to a primarily Southern market. The collection includes very frequent correspondence from Southern plantation owners negotiating purchases. Specific letters include one from William Brandon of Arcole Plantation, Mississippi (later a Confederate general), 1/22/1844, a Southern planter: "I lost a very valuable negro and a great deal of labor by sickness by not receiving my winter clothing in time." Also from James Elder, plantation owner, Charleston, S.C. Letter, 11/13/1839: "I am sorry the Negro Clothing did not please me, I am always anxious thay should be well clothed." | ||
| Mss 483 sg 5, Box 24, Folders 80-82 | Hazard, Rowland G. I Papers | Papers | 1840-1841 | South Kingstown | Hazard's interventions on behalf of several illegally enslaved black free men in New Orleans, 1840-1841. Contains newspaper clippings, Hazard's notes on individual cases, and six letters relating to the cases. Three of the letters are from illegally enslaved African-Americans: one from Rufus Kinsman dated June 18 1841, and two from Charles Delisle, April 1 and April 10 1841. | ||
| Mss 483 sg 4, Box 1, Folder 23 | Hazard, Rowland G. I Papers | Account Book | 1807-1809, 1810, 1810-1812 | South Kingstown | Pocket book No. 1 (A23-6), 1807-1809, accounts with Betty (Black Girl) (1807), Abraham...black boy (1808-1809), wife of Cuddy (1808) and Cuddy Marks (1808-1809); Account Book No. 2 (A23-15), 1810, accounts with Cuddy Marks; Pocket Account book (A23-1), 1810-1812: accounts with Cuddy Marks (1810, 1811), Ruth & Cato Brown (1810), Hannah Cuddimunco (1812) | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 4 | Hazard, Susannah | Will | 1767 | South Kingstown | Last will and testament of Susannah Hazard manumits her slaves. | ||
| Mss 483 sg 3 Item # 3 Double Oversize Folder | Hazard, Thomas "College Tom" Papers | Receipt | 28 May 1762 | South Kingstown | "Whereas Robert Hazard late of South Kingstown deceasd Did by His last Will and Testament in Writing bearing date the eleventh day of March One Thousand and Seven Hundred & Sixty two (amongst other Legacies) give and bequeath unto me Sarah Hazard, Daughter of the Testator a Legacy as hereafter Perticularly enumerated that is to say one equal half of all his Pewter Brass Iron and Wooden vessels also one Silver Salt six Silver spoons also Two Feather Beds with the Furniture also one Bay mare four years old also one equal half of my Tables & Chairs also my Negro woman [Billor Isabel] also my Cubboard Desk & Chests the one equal half part of them -- also my negro child calld Phebe Now know the that I the said Sarah Haard have had and Received every Particu-lar of the above Articles; and Therefore do acquit & discharge my Brother Thomas Hazard who is named executer pr sd Will from every of said Gifts & bequeasts and all other Legacies [or Legacies] due owing or [or] Given to me by the same Will and also all other Debts Dues & Demands Whatsoever by his being named Executor or otherwise how forever Except one Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit of the old Tenor to be levied & Raised out the Personal Estate not Perticularly Given away in sd Will In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand the Twenty Eighth day of the fifth month one Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Two. Signd Seald & Deliverd Sarah Hazard In presence Stephen Champlin Stephen Champlin Junr." | ||
| Mss 483 sg 3 Item # 15 Double Oversize Folder | Hazard, Thomas "College Tom" Papers | Correspondence | 15 May 1780 | South Kingstown | "Philad. [3/5] mo. 1[3/5?] 1780. Dear Friend, Thos. Hazard. There's a negro man here whose care claims comisseration & having lived with the 15 or 16 years as he [tells?] me Those [thou] will are some endeavors that Justice be done him & he set free. His name is Primus after leaving thy Service he lived about 7 years with Wm Barden who he allows was his Master & who agreed with him, that if he would go three voiages in a Privateer he should be manumitted. he went two & returned safe the third voiage he was taken & came hither with the British so that he performed what had been required of him. The Privateer he went in was a sloop called the America One Dennis Comr & William Cranstead Lieutenant, these two were Present when his master entered into their contract with him. If these men can be found & will certify what he atests to be true [--] should hope proper steps may be taken to Clear that poor man if the said Wm Barden cannot be prevailed with [co--ent] such proceedures He remaind here after the British left this place & has been taken up by a[nd] Joseph Knary [Connary], who says he purchased him of one Piece of Hartford in Connecticut The few Months he lived in this City before taken up he behaved well as far as I have heard. Knowing that these poor People are often greatly imposed upon I undertake to represent his Care & hope [them?] will be deligent & speedy in doing what [-ho---n] for his relief. I should be pleased to hear of thy success in this application, for it would be Distressing to him & Cause [perhaps?] deep & sorrowful Reflection to his Old Master, if he should be sent into Cruel hard bondage which may probally be the Case if not Soon relieved, he has been sold thrice this winter & suffered much for want of Cloathing, the person who had hm being [doubful?] of their right to detain him. But its much a Custom for hand[--] Whortless men to purchase these poor people & take them to the [forethward?] & sell them where there's [--ound] to plead their Cause & where they suffer much. He walked to this City in the beginning of the 3d mo last near 50 miles barefoot. I often remember my friends in your parts with much sympathy & love, & desire they may be kept & preserved in Faith & patience & in integrity & [presence?] of heart. My Dear Love in the freedom to such who may acquire [& with?] same salutations to thee thine remain they [a----te] Friend. John Pemberton If a certificate could be produced from Dennis of Cranstead of the avo mentioned agreement [Perfect?] we may be able to secure the man from his oppression." | ||
| Mss 483 sg 3 Item # 21 Double Oversize Folder | Hazard, Thomas "College Tom" Papers | Lease | 25 Mar 1794 | South Kingstown | Lease to Thomas Gould of rights to house and garden. | ||
| Mss 483 sg 3 Item # 24 Double Oversize Folder | Hazard, Thomas "College Tom" Papers | Agreement | 1 Apr 1789 | South Kingstown | Agreement with Jack Sanford for farm labor. | ||
| Mss 1026 Folder 12: 1802 | Hazard, Thomas G. Family Papers | Will | 1802 | Newport | Last will and testament of daughter Ruth Hazard, 1802, granting various articles to persons named Newport, Rose, Nam, Gin, Cato, Philes (Phyllis?), Ammy, and Anne. | ||
| Mss 1026 Folder 14: Legal Documents | Hazard, Thomas G. Family Papers | Deed of Sale | 29 Dec 1791 | Newport | Two deeds of sale dated 12/29/1791, to Hazard from the town council of Jamestown for "a certain Negro boy named Newport Martin now the property of Rebeckah Martin" and "a certain Negro woman named Bettey Martin now the property of Rebeckah Martin." | ||
| Mss 1026 Folder 14: Legal Documents | Hazard, Thomas G. Family Papers | Bond | 1810 | Newport | 1810 bond from Joseph Stanton Jr. to the "Committee for Settling and Adjusting the Business of the Narragansett Tribe of Indians", as treasurer of the Narragansett Tribe of Indians. | ||
| Mss 1026 Folder 14: Legal Documents | Hazard, Thomas G. Family Papers | Deed of Sale | 29 June 1764 | Newport | Deed of sale of an "one Negro woman nam'd Jenny one negro boy name'd Step" to him by Stephen Franklin of New Shoreham, 1764. | ||
| Mss 1026 Folder 16: (receipts, etc.) | Hazard, Thomas G. Family Papers | Bill | 1792-1804 | Newport | Bill submitted for "Expense as one of the Indian Committee", listing expenses from 1792 to 1804, mostly for travel back and forth to Charlestown. | ||
| Mss 483 sg 3 Loose Vol. Account Book, 1751-1781 | Hazard, Thomas III Papers | Account | 1750-1781 | South Kingstown | Settles accounts with Dr. Joseph Torry for labor of his man, Cuff (p. 196), Oliver Smith, eight years old, brought by his mother Elizabeth to work for Hazard, 1781(seventh from last page); "Zenibee" died January 3 1759 and Dick drowned July 22 1759 (fifth from last page); Priamus "came to live with me," six years old, 1757(second from last page). | ||
| Mss 483 sg 14 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 4: 1853 | Hazard, Thomas R. Papers | Correspondence | 1853 | South Kingstown | Correspondence with John H.B. Latrobe of Baltimore, re recolonization of slaves in Africa. | ||
| Mss 483 sg 14 Series 2, SubSeries 1, Loose Vol. 3 Factory Day Book 1825-1828 | Hazard, Thomas R. Papers | Day Book | 1825-1828 | South Kingstown | Payments to weavers Richard Watson (p. 34, 62, 108) and Brenton W. Hazard (p. 47, 121) (both noted as black), 1826-1827. | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 5 | Henshaw, Daniel | Autobiography | 1822-1908 | Rev. Daniel Henshaw's (1822-1908) informal autobiography about his life includes many mentions of the servants that served his family when he was a boy. His early life was spent in Baltimore and all of the reference to black servants referred to that locality. He also mentions other black people in the community that were beggars. | |||
| Mss 1133 Box 1, Diaries - Vol. 1 (1843-1847), Vol. 2 (1847-1852) | Henshaw, John P.K. Papers | Diary | 1843-1852 | Rhode Island | Diary by first Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island which is an important resource for information on the history of Christ Church in Providence, the first African-American Episcopal congregation in Rhode Island and the first parish to send colored laymen as delegates to a Diocesan Convention in this country. Much of his commentary on the congregation revolves around Rev. Eli W. Stokes who served as the minister of Christ Church from 1846-1849. See Guide to Men's Diaries Finding Aid for a complete listing of all his entries which include information on African-Americans. | ||
| Mss 1133 Box 1, Folder 1 | Henshaw, John P.K. Papers | Correspondence | 13 Jul 1852 | Rhode Island | Letter from David Caldwell, Georgetown, DC, 7/13/1852 which is a list of white and black person confirmed in Christ Church Georgetown. | ||
| Microfilm HQ 1438. R45 Pt 2 Reel 20 (Diary begins at Frame 0289) Mss 487 sg 3, Box 2, Folder: 1821 Diary | Herreshoff-Lewis Family Papers | Diary | 20 Feb 1821 | Bristol | Agnes F. Herreshoff of Bristol, Diary entry: "Dibby came back. She has been to an Indian doctors to get a root for her Child." Full transcription of the 1821 diary is available in: RI History Vol. 57, Number 3 & 4 Aug/Nov 1999 (F 76 R472 V. 57-58 1999-2000) | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 5 | Hicks, Eliza | Order | 15 Jul 1811 | Providence | Overseers order to the town sergeant to remove Hicks to Newport. | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 6, Folder: Diaries 1874-1876 | Hill, David W. | Diary | 10 Nov 1874 | Newport | Diary of white Newport brass worker mentions minstrel show: “Charley Shaw's Negro show”, 11/10/1874. | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 4: Accounts (Miscellaneous) 1780-1784 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Accounts | 1780-1784 | Providence | Includes: Account with James Green "1 pair boys shoes dl'd Ceasar" [15 Jan 1784], "1 pair men shoes dl'd Ceasar" [20 Nov 1784] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 5: Accounts (Miscellaneous) 1785-1789 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Accounts | 1785-1789 | Providence | Includes: Rec'd Isaac Green "1 pair small shoes for negro" [21 May 1785]; Receipt from John Reynolds "a pair of negro girls shoos" [25 Mar 1786]; Receipt "supplied for the funeral by James Green - 1 hat for Ceasar"; Rec'd by B. Reynolds "mend shoes for Ceaser" [7 Mar 1787]; Rec'd Joel Metcalf "1 pair shoes for Ceasar" [26 Mar 1787]; Rec'd Isaac Harrandon "leather shoes for negro gilr"; Rec'd by Noah Robinson "2 gallon molasses/Ceasar" [20 Apr 1787, 19 May 1787]; Rec'd Samuel Smith "shoes negro boy" [20 Nov 1787]; Rec'd Levi Burr "making coat & pare overalls for your black boy" [4 July 1789, 18 Dec 1789] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 6: Accounts (Miscellaneous) 1790-1794 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Accounts | 1790-1794 | Providence | Includes: To Levi Burr "clothing made for Ceasar" [8 Apr 1790, 16 June 1790, 28 June 1793]; To S. Nightingale 30 Nov 1782 10# sugar del'd your negro girl, 6 Feb 1783 7# brown sugar del'd your negro girl, 11 July 1783 7# rice del'd your negro boy, 17 July 1783 7# flour del'd your negro boy, 19 Oct 1784 7# rice del'd your negro boy - account settle 18 Dec 1793; Samuel Smith 1790-1793 "shoes for negro boy', "mending shoes for negro girl"; John Dorrance "stone pot del'd Cazar" [7 July 1790]; Nathaniel Cushing "felt had del'd negro" [17 Apr 1791] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 7: Accounts (Miscellaneous) 1795-1799 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Accounts | 1795-1799 | Providence | Includes: To Samuel Smith "mending shoes negro boy" [5 Sept 1794], "shoes negro boy" [24 Jan 1795], "shoes negro boy" [30 Jan 1796]; To Samuel Smith "shoes Caesar" [Nov 1797, 17 Sept 1797]; Account with Stephen Dexter "calico…del'd negro" [18 Dec 1797]; To Samuel Smith "shoes Caesar" [20 Jan 1798], "shoes Caesar" [20 Oct 1798], "shoes Caesar" [15 Jan 1799], "mending shoes Caesar" [19 Jan 1799] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 8: Accounts (Miscellaneous) 1800-1803 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Accounts | 1800-1803 | Providence | Includes: To Samuel Smith "shoes Caesar" [20 Mar 1799, 20 Nov 1799, 5 Apr 1800]; To D. Vinton "mace..dl'd Cezar" [30 Jan 1801]; To Samuel Smith "shoes Caesar" [25 Oct 1800, 7 Jan 1801], "mending shoes Ceasar" [12 Jan 1801]; To Samuel Smith "shoes for Ceasar" [13 June 1801, 10 Nov 1801, 3 Jan 1802], "mending shoes for Ceasar" [7 Jan 1802]; To Samuel Smith "shoes Ceasar" [20 Mar 1802, 12 July 1802, 15 Oct 1802] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 9: Accounts for the Estate of Rev. Enos Hitchcock & Copy of His Last Will & Testament, 1803-1804 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Will | 1803 | Providence | In his will, Hitchcock makes a bequest to Ceasar, whom he had manumitted at age 11. He leaves Ceasar dividends from his share in Providence Bank & Trust and a mourning suit of Ceasar's choosing. | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folders 38-42 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Diaries | 1776-1780 | Providence | As a chaplain during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Hitchcock often described news that he heard from others while stationed in camp. He often wrote about atrocities by Native Americans on the Revolutionary armies and colonies. | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 39: Diary, 1777 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Diary | 1777 | Providence | "About 7 o'clock the guard boats coming in...several cannon discharged at the French lines at a party of Indians and other" [6/30/1777], "Some further accounts of what happened at Fort Edward yesterday - the Lieut. who commanded the Piquet, Van Vechten was killed, scalped & cut his hands off & otherwise mangled" [7/27/1777], "11 oclock a small party yt went out back of Head qtrs about 3/4 of mile were fired upon by Indians one Corpl killed, private wounded - about the same time an Indian fired upon a Centry N.E. from Genl Nixon Brigade, wounded him in the Neck - a Small Scout 20 came in, which met with a party of Indians, supposed 70, fired & killed one & ran." [7/29/1777] "The Indians brot in eleven Prisoners, Hessians & Tories, two of our own men & two scalps." [9/26/1777], "We were alarmed about 7 o'clock by some firing towards Mr. Niels, Major Hull commanded an advance party there they were surprised by some Indians as they were comming off." [8/3/1777] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 41: Diary, 7 Apr - 10 Nov 1779 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Diary | 1779 | Providence | "An expedition agst the wesern Indians seems now to be certain, one division to go by way of the Mohawk River, under command of Brigr Genl Maxwell…" [5/15/1779], "Genl Parsons drank tea with me this evening & gave me the following account of the expedition against the Indians & on the back of Virginia. Col Clarke of that state penetrated the settlements back of it reducing the little villages to obedience & administering the oath of allegience to them....the Indians generally fled...Clarke, aware of that demanded an immediate surrender of he would storm and put all to the sword -- in the meantime sent off a detachment, who ambushed & routed them, killed some and took some Indians who he hung up immediately in the view of the fort" [6/17/1779], "This day we have account that a party of Continent troops & some maletia [sic] from the state of Virginia, surprized & dispersed a considerable body of Indians with some British troops & Tories who were forming an expedition against the back parts of that state--destroyed many of them--took & demolished their magazine of provisions & laid waste to twenty of their towns or villages" [7/5/1779] | ||
| Mss 78 Box 1, Folder 42: Diary, 1 Aug - 5 Nov 1780 | Hitchcock, Enos Papers | Diary | 1780 | Providence | "This morning the whole Army turned out to be reviewed by a number of Indians some Chiefs, a committee from several Tribes in Canada-- who were sent to Rhode Island to obtain the certainty of a French Fleet, which the Briton endeavored to keep a secret from them" [9/13/1780] | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 6, Folder 2 | Holden, Randall Jr. | Bill of Sale | 27 Feb 1727/8 | Warwick | Holden purchased Saul from James Clark of Newport. | ||
| Mss 491 Box 1, Folder 1: Account Ledger, 1750-1755 | Hopkins, Esek Papers | Accounts | 10 June 1753 | Providence | Accounts with Prime Tillinghast (p. 147), possibly others (not identified as POC) | ||
| Mss 491 Box 1, Folder 3: Accounts for the Sloop Elizabeth 1759-1760 | Hopkins, Esek Papers | Accounts | 1759-1760 | Providence | "Esek Hopkins Bill Against Sloop Elizabeth To Shoemakers 18.5 To my Negros work 2 Days 6 To Cash paid Sisko for Work 3 To 166~ Turpentine 16 To a Frayson bill 8.12 To the Sail Makers bill 20 To bording the men 60 To Haidins bill 32.12.6 To Woodmanse for wages 16 To Prince Millers bill 73.10 ...............................................................253.14.6 To overplush Sailmakers 22 Rope 15 37 ...............................................................290.14.6" "Capt Esek Hopkins to Jos [Buck--in] Dr To 2 thick Plank for [ye] Shue Brig Providence Keel 46 feet at 3/ pr 6.18.0 1 Hous plant Lent you 1.10 1760 1 Day Prince [pay?] 30 4 Days @ 60/ 1 Do at 80/ 16.0.0 2 Days @ 80/ 8.0.0 ................................................................................£32.8.0 Nov 9, 1760 Jos Bucklin" "1760 Capt. Esek Hopkins to Jos Bucklin DR To 3 Days work for Prince @ 80/ £12.0 To 2 Ditto @ 60/ £ 6.0 ..................................................................................£18.0 |
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| Mss 491 Box 1, Folder 7: Correspondence of Esek Hopkins 10 Jan 1776-29 Aug 1776 | Hopkins, Esek Papers | List | 1776 | Providence | List naming Negro prisoners on board ship | ||
| Mss 491 Box 1, Folder 8: Correspondence of Esek Hopkins 2 May 1776 - 22 Aug 1776 | Hopkins, Esek Papers | List | 8 Jun 1776 | Providence | "A list of the Seamen and Landsmen that came out of the Capes of Deliware in the Fly" identifies Dragon and Surinam Wanton as being on board the Andrew Doria. | ||
| Mss 491 Box 2, Folder 2: Hopkins Papers Volume 1 (Letterbook) 1776-1777, p.43. | Hopkins, Esek Papers | Correspondence | 8 Nov 1776 | Providence | "Providence November 8th 1776 There was a Negro Man onboard the Andrew Doria named Dragoon Wanton which I have purchas'd - Should be extremely glad if you will take the trou-ble to take some Charge of him, and either send him to me, or see that he is employ'd in the Service with Capt. Riddle or any other way as you may think fit. -- My brother shew'd me a Letter of yours, in which it seems I was roughly han-dled in Congress it is true that I applied to the Committee for Blankets for Slops in the Ships, but how they came by them I am altogether Ignorant, however I am extreme-ly obliged to you for supporting me. We have no news here, nor nothing Extraordinary except that the Privateers have great Luck and getting money fast - I wish they may not carry it so far as to be any ways detrimental. --- I am with great Respect Sin Your Friend & humble Servt EH To honble William Ellery Esqr one of the Members of the hon. Contl. Congress at Philadelphia" | ||
| Mss 492 Loose Vol. Account Book, 1747-1757 | Hopkins, Stephen Collection | Account Book | 1746-1757 | Providence | Account book includes payments to unnamed for shipyard labor, accounts with Fortune Wyat (August 25,1749), Primus Staring (1755), Ceazer Sambo (1755), Ann Ceazar for billeting Isaac Ames (June 27,1755), Mercy Cheese for her deceased husband, Thomas Cheese (1757), and payment in full for Fransisco's 1756 account (1757). | ||
| Mss 9001-H Loose Vol. | Houses in Providence 1779 | List | 1779 | Providence | Entries include houses owned by black men: #83 Pharo owned a house, #303 Mrs. Page's Bonner, #323 William Cesar, #410 "Brown Moses a small Negro house down the wharf...," possibly others are included. | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 8, Folder: of Bristol, Blacksmith, 16 Sept 1730 | Howland, Jabez | Dowry | 16 Sept 1730 | Bristol | Mentions an "Indian woman & her child". | ||
| Mss 499 Folder 3: Correspondence | Howland, John Papers | Correspondence | 24 Nov 1838 | To Mary (his wife or daughter), discourse on Indians of North America and their possible origins; description of Indian grave found under Bowen street in Providence and disposition of artifacts found there. | |||
| Mss 9001-H Box 8, Folder: Portrait of Thomas Howland | Howland, Thomas | Essay | n.d. | "Portrait of Thomas Howland by Blanchard read to the Rhode Island Historical Society by John A. Howland" An essay on the circumstances surrounding the election of Thomas Howland, a Negro, to the office of warden for the 3rd Ward in Providence in 1857. "Probably the first negro ever in elective office by popular vote in the United States was Thomas Howland." | |||
| Mss 9001-H Box 8, Folder: 15 Letters Received & 7 other Family Documents | Howland, Thomas | Correspondence | 7 Mar 1840 | 1840 Mar 7 Richard G. Howland in Charleston to his brother Daniel Howland in New York regarding farming, probably in Rhode Island. "I think you had better let Henry get one or two coloured men if he can & then he will be better satisfied & can manage them better." | |||
| Mss 9001-H Box 8, Folder: 15 Letters Received & 7 other Family Documents | Howland, Thomas | Poem | Mar 1807 | "On Liberty" by S.A. Greene March 1807 an excerpt from the poem reads: And now to those who fought in freedom's cause Why are you govern'd thus, by partial laws. One part you've done, the other yet you lack You've freed the white man, but enslave the black. |
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| Mss 9001-H Box 8 | Hoxie, Mary | Will | 1796 | Richmond | In her will, Hoxie left goods to Patience Rodman. | ||
| Mss 9001-H Box 8 | Hull, Teddeman | Record Book | 10 Mar 1741/2, Dec 1742-Jan 1743 | Jamestown | Order to constable to bring in Scipio, negro man belonging to Abel Franklin who severely beat Avis, wife of Indian Josiah (10 Mar 1741/2) & Court examinations relating to a theft of money from Christopher Hawkins by his servant Dinah. She gave some of the money to Joseph Battey's Bess Battey and Phebe Arnold's Jenny Hull. These three are sentenced to the whipping post and fined. Also involved are Oliver Hull, Robin Hull, Dinah Pace and Hagar. (Dec 1742-Jan 1743) | ||
| Mss 9001-I Box 1 | Indian Genealogy Notes | Notes | 1927 | Middleboro, MA | Genealogical notes written by Mantasikaun, a Mashpee Historian | ||
| Mss 9001-I Box 1 | Indian Manuscripts | Warrant | 1713, n.d. | (2) Warrants written in the Massachusetts language issued by Isaak Simmon, an Indian ruler | |||
| Mss 483 sg 12 Series 1: Correspondence Box 1-3 | Isaac P. Hazard Papers | Correspondence | c.1810-1844 | South Kingstown | Isaac P. Hazard spent much of his youth in South Carolina and maintained business and social contacts in the South for his entire life. His business sold "Negro cloth" to a primarily Southern market. The collection includes very frequent correspondence from Southern plantation owners negotiating purchases. See entries for James J. McCarter, Peyton Skipwith, Stephen Duncan, R.W. Habersham, R.&W. King and William Ravenel. | ||
| Mss 9001-J Box 1 | James, Aaron | Testimony | 22 Oct 1810 | Providence | James, a man of color and a Mariner of Providence recounted an argument between Cudgo Earle and Sippio Read over a possibly stolen umbrella. Signed with James' mark. | ||
| Mss 201 Folder: Accounts, 1758 | Jamestown Town Records Collection | Accounts | 16 May 1758 | Jamestown | Account with Matthew Grinold includes charges for "keeping niger Hanah Eight Weeks" and for "finding one Sheet to bury her & Drink." | ||
| Mss 201 Folder: Town Council, Examination of Mary (Hazard?), 1763 | Jamestown Town Records Collection | Examination | 25 May 1763 | Jamestown | Town Council examination of a mustee woman named Mary from South Kingstown accused of keeping a disorderly house. | ||
| Mss 9001-J Box 1, Folder 2: Photocopy | Jencks, George Foster | Diary | 1824 | Pawtucket | Diary of white Pawtucket man mentions Hardscrabble riots: “1824 Feb 7 A gang of Ruffins toar down & Destroyed the Negro house on the hill this evening.” and “1824 Oct 19 Last night the Whites assembled on the bridge in Providence and went in a body to that part of the town occupied by the blacks and pulled down Ten of their houses and laid waste all there contents and this day the Governor and Council has ordered out the Light Infantry to guard the town.” | ||
| *Mss 9001-J Loose Vol. | John (Brigantine) | Crew List | 1806 | Newport | A crew list (p.13, No.8) names Cato Burrill, a black man of Newport and Samuel Crauford, with a yellow complexion, of Providence. Both men are listed as seamen. | ||
| Mss 9001-J Box 3 | Johnston, Augustus | Deed | 9 Jun 1759 | Newport | In a deed from James and Mary Hillhouse of New Haven, Conn., "Domine a Negro Man" is identified as living in "a Small Mansion House on said Schoolhouse Lot" in Newport. | ||
| Mss 520 Folder: Miscellaneous | Jones, William Papers | Bill of Sale | 25 Nov 1795 | Providence | John Watson of South Kingstown sold Marea "a Negro Girl" to Peter Taylor of Providence for 30 dollars for a term of 3 1/2 years with the possibility of extending the term to another 3 1/2 years after the initial time period is up. Also contains a note on freeing Marea to free her after seven years if she agrees to the terms. | ||
| Mss 9001-J Box 3, Folder 1: Letter 2 Dec 1840 | Joslyn, Joseph | Correspondence | 2 Dec 1840 | Newport | From Georgia resident, Hugh McCall appealing for help for a jailed Thomas Francis, son of Thomas and Violet, brother of William, John, Polley, Nancy and Betsey. The postmaster was hoping to ascertain whether Francis was a free Newport resident or a slave from North Carolina. | ||
| Mss 9001-K Box 1 | Kent County Female Anti-slavery Society | Record Book | 1835-1845 | Warwick | Record of the formation, meeting and membership of the Society | ||
| Mss 9001-K Box 1 | Kent County Men's Anti-slavery Society | Newspaper Article | 6 Feb 1916 | Kent County | Early Anti-Slavery Society Records Found, local activity in 1835 | ||
| Mss 238 | Klyberg Collection | Interviews | 1990-1993 | Rhode Island | Interviews done by U.R.I. students in Albert Klyberg's R.I. History Class, 1990-1993 Interview by Barbara McEiver of Cortland Stanton who moves from Providence to Narragansett in 1965. He and his wife are identified as American Indian. | ||
| Mss 9001-K Box 3 | Knight, Henry Cogswell | Newsclippings/Narrative | Aug - Nov 1866 | Warwick/Pawtucket | "A Glance at the Town of Providence in 1812," reprinted in the Providence Journal in 1866 from The Rhode Island American in 1812. Narratives in the clippings includes stories and descriptions of Bristol aka Brisker Rhodes, Scipio Brenton, Prince Whitman, George Thomas, Troupe Butler, and Robert the Hermit of Fox Point. | ||
| Mss 1119 Folder 1: Ledger, 1797-1844 | Lake, David Family Papers | Account Book | Tiverton | Lake's labor account book as a carpenter includes his account with partnership of Lemuel Milk and Paul Cuffe, billing for "work done on their ship" (pages 15-18 and 23). Paul Cuffe was probably the most successful African-American merchant of the early republic. Although Cuffe generally hired other African-Americans for his ship's crew, census records suggest that Lake was white. Cuffe paid Lake in cash, sugar and lottery tickets. | |||
| Mss 527 Vol. 2 | Land Evidences Collection | Receipt | 10 Jul & 23 Aug 1705 | Newport | No. 321, 323: Gideon Crawford acknowledges receipt of a servant, Peggy, whom he promises to deliver to her owner widow Mary Davis in Barbados when demanded. This is a copy of the original document. | ||
| Mss 527 Vol. 3 | Land Evidences Collection | Manumission | 15 May 1717 | Newport | No. 260: A copy of Edward Pelham's manumission of Harry. | ||
| Mss 527 Vol. 3 | Land Evidences Collection | Order | 27 May 1721 | Newport | Pg. 360: A copy of an Admiralty Court order of auction of slaves. | ||
| Mss 9001-L Box 1, Folder 1: Lawton, Isaac of Portsmouth, RI | Lawton, Isaac | Papers | 1785; n.d. | Portsmouth | Revolutionary War anecdote concerning Quaker Meeting House in Portsmouth, R.I. told by Lawton in 1785 which includes mention of a negro boy; anecdote told by Zacharias Dicks regarding a negro man preaching to Quakers in North Carolina; undated list of pro-slavery arguments. | ||
| Mss 21 Box 5, Folders 89-92 | League of Women Voters | Records | 1893-1977 | Subject file on civil rights and "Rhode Island protection of minority groups against discrimination," 1942-1967. | |||
| Mss 9001-L Box 2 | Lear, Susanna | Diary | 1788 | Philadelphia | Diary of a white Philadelphia woman visiting Boston and Providence in 1788. Rode in a carriage from Boston with "an Indian Chief. At first I felt very much afraid of him, but he turned out to be the most agreeable of the company... After breakfast the Indian Chief played several tunes on his clarinet. He played very well. In short, he is quite accomplished." [31 July 1788]; "We were all invited to a party out of town. The Prince rode with us in Mr. Brown's carriage and entertained us very much... The Indian Chief and Mrs. J. Brown stayed and supped with us. He regrets very much he is obliged to leave us so soon. He says he never spent his time so happily. Indeed I don't wonder for the ladies of this place are all in love with him and are striving who shall pay him the most attention." [2 Aug 1788]; "In the evening the Chief called on us again as he has done regularly three of four times a day ever since he has been here. He stayed to supper... He appeared very unwilling to leave us even at eleven o'clock." [3 Aug 1788] | ||
| Mss 9001-L Box 3 | Lewis, A.M. | Requests | 17 Apr 1865 | Providence | Request by "The Colored People of Cranston" to be allowed to attend the funeral services for President Lincoln to be held in Providence. | ||
| Mss 9001-L Box 3 | Lewis, Prime | Complaint | Jun 1781 | Johnston | Lewis, "a free negro man," is accused by James Mathewson of stealing trees from his land. | ||
| Mss 9001-L Box 3 | Lippitt, Ceasar | Papers | 1815-1824 | Warwick | A deed, receipts, and direct tax bill belonging to Ceasar, a laborer and man of color. | ||
| Mss 9001-L (oversized) | Lippitt, William | Papers | 1841 and 1844 | Warwick | A deed of land in Warwick being transferred from William Lippitt to his wife, Patience Lippitt and the last will and testament of William, a man of color. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 11 Mss 541 Folder 1 | Lopez, Aaron Collection | Accounts | Oct - Dec 1770 | Newport | Lopez's daybook includes record of receipt of payments which occasionally list the goods as being delivered by a "negro boy." | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 11 Mss 541 Folder 12 | Lopez, Aaron Collection | Bill of Sale | 11 & 14 Feb 1774 | Newport | 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. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 11 Mss 541 Folder 2 | Lopez, Aaron Collection | Accounts | 1774-1775 | Newport | Daybook records payments for goods and sometimes lists the names of the delivery boys including William Negro and Negro Jack | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 11 Mss 541 Folder 3 | Lopez, Aaron Collection | Log Book | 1767-1783 | Newport | 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 9004 Box 3, Vol. 6, p.35: Louisa (Brig), Correspondence, 1797. | Louisa (brig) | Sale | 1797 | Rhode Island, Havana, Africa | Bill of Sale Account dated 5/18/1797 Header "Sales of [91?] Slaves received by the Brig Louisa [Elisha Briggs] Master from Africa sold by said Capt on Account of the owners of said Slaves viz." Footnote "Mem. by E.M. Stone Since this paper was presented to the R.I. Hist. Society, some person has mutilated it by cutting out the name of Capt. Elisha Briggs from the head of the bill, and in other parts attempting to obliterate the name with ink; for what reason is unknown. The name has been restored in brackets." The number of enslaved has six unmarked columns, likely relating to age and gender. The status of the enslaved in question will be depicted via [X. X. 2. X.X. X] indicating the column the number of enslaved was documented in. Dn = male = "don" = "Lord" Da = female = "dona" = "Lady". "1797 Mar 22 2 Negroes to Dn Adrian de la Cruz [2.X.X.X.X.X] at D[as?] 325 650" "1797 Mar 22 2 Do [Negroes] to Dn Jose Sequeira [2.X.X.X.X.X] Payable at June 325 650" "1797 Mar 24 4 Do [Negroes] to Dn Adrian de la Cruz [4.X.X.X.X.X] Priviledge ones 320 1280" "1797 Mar 24 1 Do [Negro] to Dn Jose Sequeira [X.1.X.X.X.X] Do Do [Priviledge ones] 320 150" "1797 Mar 24 1 Do [Negro] to Da Maria Dolores [Castano] [X.1.X.X.X.X] [Do] 280" "1797 Mar 27 1 Do [Negro] to Dn Juan Philipe Colaire [1.X.X.X.X.X] Priviledge [Do] 330" "1797 Mar 27 1 Do [Negro] to Da Maria Isabel Alvarez [X.1.X.X.X.X] [Do] 260" "1797 Mar 27 1 Do [Negro] Dead at the Barracks [1.X.X.X.X.X]" "1797 Mar 27 1 Do [Negro] to Dn Alfonso Bello [1.X.X.X.X.X] 300" "1797 Mar 27 1 Do [Negro] to Dn [Basilie Fernandez] Abrea [1.X.X.X.X.X] 300" "1797 Mar 27 1 Do [Negro] to Marquecido [St--] [Phey?] [Sto] [1.X.X.X.X.X] 300" "1797 Mar 28 1 Do [Negro] to Dn Joaquin Lopez [X.1.X.X.X.X] 225" "1797 Mar 29 3 Do [Negroes] to Dn Pedro Diago [3.X.X.X.X.X] 310 930" "1797 Mar 29 4 Do [Negroes] to Dn Yicente [Adett] [4.X.X.X.X.X] 2 of Priviledge PA RS 310 1240" "1797 Mar 29 2 Do [Negroes] Defective to Dn Pedro Interia [2.X.X.X.X.X] 250 Cash & remainder in See tab LOUISA following Index for full transcription. |
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| Mss 1055 Warwick Historical Society Deposit. Folder 5: Anthony Low. | Warwick Historical Society Deposit | Will | 1746 | Warwick | Anthony Low of Warwick, Will: "I give and bequeath unto Mary my beloved wife...the use of all my negros during her natural life." "To my son John Low...I do also give after my wifes decease my negroman named Newport and my negro woman named Peg if they or either of them shall be living after my wifes decease"; to son Stephen Low "after my wifes decease my negro boy name Bristol if he shall be living after my wifes decease"; "I give and bequesth unto my sons John Low and Stephen Low...after my wifes decease my two negro boys vis by name Fortune and Prince if they or either of them should be then living"; "I give and bequeth to my beloved daughter Christan Carpenter...after my wifes decease my negro girl named Patience if she shall be then living." | ||
| Mss 9001-L Box 4, Folder 1: Law Suit, 2 Oct 1817 | Low, James | Lawsuit | 2 Oct 1817 | Cranston | Suit in Justice Court against Low for debt owed to Roger W. Potter. | ||
| MSS 9001-M Box 1 | Macomber, Joseph Ellwood | Correspondence | 6 Feb 1842 | Farmington, NY | Letter to Joseph Ellwood Macomber while away at school in Washington, NY from his sister Margaret Ann Hathaway in Farmington, NY. The entire family are Quakers. "Perhaps thou hast not heard of the Brig 'Creole' bound I think from some northern port to N. Orleans with slaves. During the passage 19 of the slaves rose in possession, . . . They were sailed to Nassau a port in N. Providence one of the Bahamas I believe and are still under English authority. Oh how it makes the Southerners and Northern pro-slavery men boil It is thot by some that our government will demand them but I do not believe it for they know British liberty allows no slavery and if foreigners fall on their coasts are freemen they would not think of making [?] about slaves escaping to Canada but where is the difference! Both belong to England. A pro-slavery man in Scipio asked Lorenzo a few days since if "as many niggers run through our place to Canada now a days?" L. said "no, they go off by ship loads now!" He could not say any more about niggers running away. (Letter is written crossed ways with sentences running vertical & horizontal making it very difficult to read. jlg 2019) | ||
| Microfilm E445 R4 Part 1 Reel 11 Mss 549 Series 1 Godrey Branch, Vol. 1 Godfrey Malbone Sr. Account Book 1728-1738 | Malbone Family Papers | Account Book | 1728-1738 | Newport | Account Book includes financial records pertaining to the slave trade. See tab for MALBONE following the Index for a full transcription. | ||
| Microfilm E445 R4 Part 1 Reel 11 Mss 549 Series 1 Godrey Branch, Folder 4. Malbone family - accounts with the estate of William Hunter | Malbone Family Papers | Accounts | 1763-1768 | Newport | Settlement of accounts with physician for treatment of household including: 1763-1768 Mingo, Peter, and Frank ; 1764-1774 Quam, Magget, Sias and Jack; 1771-1779 Lue; 1768-1776 Comfort, Jack, Peter, and a child. | ||
| Mss 9001-M Oversize | Manchester, Gideon | Inventory | 1769 | Providence | Inventory includes "one negro man named Curllett." | ||
| Mss 552 Box 2: Correspondence & Documents, 1769-1771 | Marchant Papers | Correspondence | 19 Apr 1770 | Newport | Marchant from Newport, to Richard Ellis, Newburn (Berne?) North Carolina. “Sir, Capt. Richardson has received a Letter from you by which I perceive my Boy has been under the doctors Care sometime, being lame in his Foot, and that he pretend[s] he has been subject to a Lameness. You may depend upon it there is no manner of truth in that suggestion of his; Tho’ I would choose he should Sell well, yet for the Price of him I would not have kept back any Thing from your Knowledge that might make to his Disadvantage; I imagine he has found out you are about Selling him and that he had rather remain with you than run the Chance of a disagreeable master & he has put his Wits together to prevent your disposing of him. I can rely upon your Honor as to the Price; but otherwise should be glad he might be sold as soon as may be to advantage As I have been obligated to purchase another and the money is somewhat wanted" | ||
| Mss 552 Box 2: Correspondence & Documents, 1769-1771 | Marchant Papers | Correspondence | 5 Mar 1771 | Newport | Marchant Letter to Ellis: "Sir, I was induced to send my Boy Quam to you under an Apprehension of Dispatch. The price he sold for was not near so much as he cost at thirteen years old and the cash paid down: but that Circumstance is not so bad a Consideration, as that of being kept out of the Purchase Money so Long: your letter to me assured me I should receive the Effects, last November since which I have not heard a Word of the Matter: Indeed there seems to be a general Uneasiness in those who have sent their Negroes to No. Carolina. I hope however that the Receipt of the Effects for my Boy will Soon give Satisfaction to your Friend and Servant H. Marchant. Mr. Richard Ellis Merchant in Newburn North Carolina." | ||
| Mss 999 Folder 6: Julia (Bowen) Martin | Martin Family Papers | Diary | 1 Apr - 15 Sept 1799 | Providence | Diary of a white Providence woman written before her marriage, who mentioned the following visit to an African-American fortune-teller: "We all went to a famous fortune teller just arrived in town, a black man, we walked down beyond the new Presbyterian Meeting House, I found him quite on the hill, in a negro house. I was ushered up Chamber first. I was prodigiously frightened at first, but my fears soon subsided. I saw a monstrous fat black man. His face from his nose up, full of notches..." This is followed by a long account of the fortune. [7/20/1799] | ||
| Mss 9001-M Loose Vol. | Mason, Aaron | Day Book | 1780-1812 | Providence | Mason, a tanner, records accounts in his daybook including accounts with William Ceser (1778-1807), Black Bette (March 1780), Solomon Jinne (October 1790), Rebeckah Negro (1790, 1794), Oliver Cesar (July 1791), Abraham Gibes(July 1793), Prence Lac(?) of North Providence (1802, 1804), Paul Potter (1806). | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 2, p. 218 | Mason's Newport | Correspondence | 13 Jun 1740 | Newport | Letter from George Scott, at sea, tells of sickness and mortality among enslaved Africans aboard ship and reports that his own slave, Bonner is dead. | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 1, p. 70 | Mason's Newport | Receipt | 1762 | Newport | Receipt for two unnamed "Negro Boys... receiv'd from Africa" in Boston by Capt. Phillip Wilkinson, June 8 1762. | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 5, p. 296 | Mason's Newport | Deed | 21 Sep 1731 | Newport | Deed from Charles Ninegret, "New England Chief Sachem of the Narragansetts" to Capt. Christopher Champlin, Jr. | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 2, p. 101-102 | Mason's Newport | Narrative | 1752 | Newport | Cuffy Cockroach identified as a cook in the household of Jahleel Brenton. "Cuffy was a noted turtle cook." | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 6, p. 390 | Mason's Newport | Bill of Sale | 10 Dec 1756 | Newport | 10 Dec 1756 Bill of Sale, Newport. "Know all Men by these Presents, That I Benjamin Nichols of Newport in the County of Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island Esqr and Executor to ye Last Will and Testament of Jonathan Nichols Esqr Late of Newport Deceasd for and in Consideration of the Sum of Sixteen Hundred pounds in good and passable Bills of Publick Credit of the old Tenor to me in Hand, paid at or before the Sealing and Delivery hereof, by Joseph Wanton Jun. of ye same Town County and Colony aforesaid, Merchant the Receipt whereof, I do hereby acknowledge; and my self therewith fully and entirely satisfied: Have bargained and sold, set over and delivered; and by these Presents, do bargain, sell, set over and deliver unto the said Joseph Wanton Three Certain Negro Men called Toby Cuff & London, Together with their wearing apparrill. To HAVE AND TO HOLD, the hereby bargained Three negro men & their wearing apparril unto the said Joseph Wanton his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, to his & their only proper Use, Benefit, and Behoof, forever. And I the said Benjamin Nichols for myself my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, the hereby bargained Three negroe and their apparrill as abovd sd unto the said Joseph Wanton Junr & his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, against me and my Heirs and against all and every Person or Persons whatsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same, shall and will Warrant and forever Defend by these Presents. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, the Tenth Day of December in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George ye Second King of Great- Britain, &c. Annoq; Dom. 1756 Benj. Nichols Sealed and Delivered, in the Presence of Rachel McGuire [Mark] [&] Step. [Humford]" | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 2, p. 102 | Mason's Newport | Bill of Sale | 4 Jul 1759 | Charlestown | Sale by Christopher Champlin of slaves George and Jenny to Thomas Allen of New London. | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 3, p. 154-159 | Mason's Newport | Narrative | 1791-1825 | Newport | Biographical information about Newport Gardner, slave of Caleb Gardner. | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 2, p. 105-106 | Mason's Newport | Narrative | n.d. | Newport | Cudjo, an elderly man, annuitized by Gibbs and Channing. Others named are Jim Samson, Pomp Overing, Quacko Malbone, Sam Collins, Ritter (Henrietta) Ellery, Phillis Champlin, Dinah Ayrault | ||
| Mss 554 Vol. 2, p. 104-107 | Mason's Newport | Narrative | n.d. | Newport | Tells about Mintus, the "last colored undertaker" buried in the old common cemetery. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, part 2, reels 17-20 Mss 588 sg 4 Box 6, Folders 2-14 | Megee, William F. | Correspondence | 1798-1806 | Correspondence of slave trader active in the South American market, dating mostly 1798-1806. | |||
| Mss 9001-M Box 5 | Metcalf, Joel and Michael | Accounts | 16 Sep 1799 | Providence | Accounts with William Gittis and William Stever for sales of beef and pork. | ||
| Mss 9001-M Box 6 | Molly (sloop) | Accounts | 1746 | Newport | Account of cash disbursements included payments to various owners of slaves for labor. See tab for MOLLY following Index for full transcription. | ||
| Mss 9001-M Loose Vol. 2: Ledger, 1798-1807 | Mowry, Daniel | Ledger | 1798-1807 | Smithfield | Mowry's accounts with Newport Brayton (p.127). | ||
| Mss 9001-M Box 8 | Munro, Sarah | Bill of Sale | 16 Oct 1776 | Bristol | "Know all men by the Present that we Sarah Munro and James Munro Both of Bristol in the County of Bristol and Colony of Rhode Island [the] Administrators of thee Estate of Capt Bennet Munro late of Bristol Deceasd. For and in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Eight pounds Ten shillings Lawfull Money to us in hand will and truly paid by Timothy Ingraham of Bristol aforesaid Mariner thee receipts where of we Do hereby Acknowledge have Bargained Sold and Set over unto him the sd Timothy Ingraham one Negro boy Named Dick being about Eight years of Age which was late thee Estate of said Bennet Munro. And we do hereby Covenent to and agree with the said Timothy Ingraham His Heires and Assigns thatt wee have in our Capacity aForesaid [good] Right Full Power and lawfull Authority to Sell and Dispose of the said Boy as above Said. In Witness whereof wee have Here unto Set Our hands and Seals this Sixteenth day of October 1776. Signd Seald & Deliverd in Presence of |
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| Mss 9001-N Box 1 | National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Providence Branch | Correspondence | 6 Mar 1922 | Providence | Letter from branch president W.P.H. Freeman to Lt. Col. Willis C. Metcalf of the R.I. State Militia, March 6 1922, thanking Metcalf for participating in a memorial service for Col. Charles Denton Young of the U.S. Army. In part: "with the co-operation of big-hearted men like yourself, there will be no race problem." | ||
| New England Yearly Meeting Archives, Film #10 RI Monthly Meeting, Newport, R.I.: Slave Manumissions, 1708-1827. (Microfilm) | New England Yearly Meeting Archives | Manumissions | 1708-1827 | Newport | Volume of slave manumissions from Newport-area meetings dated 1708 to 1827. See tab for NEYM MANUMISSIONS following Index for full transcriptions. | ||
| Mss 9001-N Loose Vol. | Newdigate, Nathaniel | Account Book | 1703-1735 | Bristol | Includes many memoranda re hiring out of and deliveries made by slave named Sambo., 1703-1716. Includes agreement to lease Sambo to Jonathan Bowers for work with ship carpentry shop, October 16, 1707. | ||
| Microfilm E445 .R4, part 2, reel 27 Mss 231 sg 6 | Newport Intendant of Trade | Records | 1785-1790 | Newport | This volume recorded all ships departing Newport, Rhode Island for the five years preceding the creation of a federal customs service (1785-1790); a handful are shipping rum to Africa as part of the triangle trade. The information for each ship includes: date cleared, vessel name, master’s name, tons of capacity, number of guns, number of crew, date and place built, date and place of registration, owners’ names, general cargo and destination. Each entry also bears the master’s signature regarding the cargo description, which is generally quite specific. | ||
| Mss 588 sg 2, Box 2, Folder 4: 1774-1778 | Nightingale, Samuel II Papers | Correspondence | 21 Apr 1777 | North Providence | His father writes remarking that Samuel Jr. has bought a negro man of Benjamin Greene and urges him to buy more for farm labor. | ||
| Mss 588 sg 3, Box 5, Folder 15: 1833-1836 | Nightingale, Samuel III Papers | Correspondence | 7 Feb 1836 | Florida | Letter from Edwin T. Jenckes to Samuel Nightingale III giving an account of the depredations of the Indians during the Seminole War, counter measures, etc. dated Camp Long Reach, FL. | ||
| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 1 (930972) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1732-1741 | North Kingstown | Volume 7, 1731 -1742 Pg 237 Mar 1741 Jack Greene keeping an Indian woman called Jenn…., Ann Bell take the Indian woman Jenny Luses? That is sick and Jack Green………Clerk give the Sergent an order to convey an Indian woman named Ruth…….to the town of Jamestown. Pg 246 July 1741 Joseph Northup, overseer of the poor..the case of an Indian named Easter? At Somen Seazers Pg 263 July 1741 Jack Green keep Indian woman Genney Leucres?, an Indian woman named Ruther…otherwise to depart said town Pg 359 1732 Edward Dyre paid for keeping Indian called Phebe Pg 360 1732 Lidia, Indian child flung on this town, bound until age of Twen…….being 2 and 1/ 2 years old Pg 370 13 July 173? ...Eldred one of the Overseers of the Poor of [..] this Council that he put an Indian Child [...] Orphan under the care of Indian Eaber [...] said child Ten days and deceased who [...] child finding all necessaries therefore the [...] Council orders that the said Indian Eaber be [...] of the Town Treasury two pounds ... |
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North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | North Kingstown | Volume 8, 1742 - 1756 pg 36 Mar 1743 note against Indian Grere Pg 321 George Tibbits Inventory includes Spanish Indian man named Jack, Negro woman named Phillie and negro boy named Prince Pg 347 19 aug 1753 Betty Scooner an Indian woman died Intestate, pg 348 admin by Mercy/Marey Scooner Pg 366 14 Jul 1755 Joseph Reynolds a negro man late of North Kingstown, had been absent/unheard of for 6 years past……personal belongs and inventory Pg 425 12 Mar 1753 Seaver, a free negro appeared in Council and made Choice of [Daniel Green] [...] his Gardeen. That the Clerke give said Daniel Green administration [...] Jacob Chease alias Seaver, Dec'd he giving bond according to [...] Pg 433 to Benjamin Congdon on estate of John Indian son of Am……. Pg 461 Feb 1748 Edward Dyre took an account in North Kingstown of Whites (1665), Blacks (184) and Indians (86). |
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North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1705-1715 | North Kingstown | Volume 5, 1697 – 1719 pg 70 1705 a horse belonging to Indian Tuis, also swine of Indian Tuis pg 98 1708/1709 Squaw Sarah Beer which was drowned ....from Connanicut to Narraganset and that John Potter.......and that the children may ......him their father, children so left by said Indians shall be bound to John Potter until boys be 21 years of age and girls 18 years of age.....he the said John ///// considerable charges already about the said children. Pg 168 16 Jul 1715 Indian servants one named Lize and the other …….And a negro woman and a negro boy….Mariah and the boy named Trinkelo……to my son--signed by Sarah Potter |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 1 (930972) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1720-1730 | North Kingstown | Volume 6 , 1719-1730 Pg 20 John Potter of Kingston discharged Mr John Greene of Warwick of find……Indian man call Tom Brood……closthes ..said Greene is bound to find said Indian 8 Dec 1720?…a molatto Pg 25 13 Feb 1720/1721 by John Cole, an Indian Boy..against Charles Dickinson, Junior his master…immoderately corrected and beaten him therefore discharge the said ………..or servant from his apprenticeship Pg 33 9 Oct 1720 said servant Tomb Derutter..from his servitude by indenture to …Abiel Shearman. Molatto fellow called …….Matteson now in service of Mr Updikes be free from this day. Pg 36 11 Sep 1721 Elisha Cole shall have …..shillings out of the town treasury…the Indian boy which was taken. Pg 93 Jul 1722 An Indian woman called Sarah Champlin complaint…she was wrongfully….of Colchester…said Newton Bill of Cost concerning Sarah Champlin: to Summons, Constable, Danis?, to Thos Willcocks, Swareing and Evidence, to Clerk for copying and other services Pg 116 1723 Seaser a free Negroe man….a child named Jacob on the town….not able to maintain the same--Jeremiah Gould…..child until it comes of the age of 24 years. Peg a mustee woman ran away…a child about 3 years old, child will suffer if not care…..William Havens to take said child. Pg 219 1726 Frank a negroe woman servant to Mr Thomas Eldred made charge…to be her master and said John Eldred appeared and promised to take said negroe. Pg 354 May 1730 Molatto child aged 6 years….named Hannah be bound to Daniel Green until age 21. Indian child named James …..5 the 10th of March last be bound to Roshe ???ford until 24 years of age. |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 2 (930973) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1757-1779 | North Kingstown | Volume 9, 1756-1768 Pg 215 14 Feb 1763 Thomas Fortain, a negroe man died intestate, admin by Abigail Mingo, negro woman Pg 259 Nov 1764 Will of Robert Hall---daughter Ruth Hall..a negro man named Ceaser to be at her use until he at age of 30, then be sett free from Bondage Pg 473 Abigail Mingo, negro woman, letter of admin for Thomas Fortain Pg 493 Benjamin Easton, an Indian Man, to depart this town Pg 546- 1757 [An interview of a slave named Jack Minor in which he is asked where he was born, who brought him from Africa, and the names of all his masters.] |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 2 (930973) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1783-1795 | North Kingstown | Volume 13, 1783 - 1795 Pag 21 Nov 1783 Clerk put up …to acquaint the inhabitants of this town ….law against taking in strangers and ….them on penalty of the law and more ……harboring of blacks, etc. James Eldred constable immediately ..every black person who abides in this town not being inhabitants of this town to depart said town and direct the people who harbour them to ….them out of this town. Pg 101 July 1787 Giles Pearce cited to appear..for his taking a black family…his house in said town. Pg 152 1790 Indian woman Mary Primus Pg 155 Jan 1790 Lucy Davis an Indian or Mustee pregnant with child of a Bastard, therefore Lucy to immediately to Depart this T…. Pg 159 9 Apr 1792 John Hazard brought before….his negroe woman named Orange….years old on 21 June next. Pg 186 9 Jun 1792 Abraham Isaac alias Hunt--an Indian man copy of removal from East Greenwich, adjudge his last legal residence was North Kingstown. Pg 208 Oct 1793 Mary Allen molatto woman bring her child James Allen to be apprentice to John Bowles to 21 years, being 5 years on 23 June last. Pg 213 Patience Fowler Indian Woman…..her child intrudes on this town……oldest child..last settled in South Kingstown. Pg 249 14 Mar 1795 Phebe Sherman, black woman kept at John Westwick? For sickness |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 3 (930974) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1797 | North Kingstown | Volume 14, 1796-1800 Pg 146 May 1797 Frances Taylor black girl..be kept at Henry Eldred Pg 154 19 Feb 1797 Dorcas Congdon Indian Woman flung her son Cuff Congdon on this town. Black woman named Sarah who served her time with ………is sick with the veneral disease in suffering condition |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 3 (930974) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1797-1801 | North Kingstown | Volume 15, 1798 - 1802 Pg 41 10 Dec 1798 Jack Phillips a negroe died Pg 211 12 Jun 1797 Sarah Taylor, negro,….. a poor child flung on this town..bound to Ephraim Mitchel, ?Junior and wife…turns 21 years ?he being 11 years old on 14 Feb 1801. |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 3 (930974) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1806-1808 | North Kingstown | Volume 16, 1805 - 1810 Pg 11 Samuel D Allen presented negroe man Jack, 29 years old, able bodied capable of getting his living Pg 44 1806 Benjamin Smith alias Gardner , a black man, pox in Wickford, be removed to dwelling place lately of Thomas Hill Pg 140 4 June 1808 Zebulon Wamsley Indian man..by his conduct is wasting his estate, not able to take care…give William Taylor full power of the person and estate of Zebulon Wamsley Pg 146 Cesar Rose, black man, died intestate Pg 161 Sarah Smith, Indian Woman who removed to Charles Town has returned to abide, and is of Ill Fame. She pay $7 and upon neglect of pay by …….whip her 15 Stripes on her naked back and immediately leave this town. Same for Wait Sweet and her daughter Freelove, returned from Warwick…$7 fine of 20 stripes on each Pg 316 Apr 1808? Benjamin Congdon...man of colour. Pg 303 Quam Howland, negroe man and wife and children..depart this town. |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 3 (930974) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1813 | North Kingstown | Volume 19, 1811 - 1814 Pg 191 Dec 1813 Bess Sherman, woman of color, shall remove to South Kingstown Pg 210 Samuel W Brigham? Of Pautuket, had James Brown, son of Scipio, a person of color, in apprentice under 21 years |
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| Mfilm F89 .N8 N6 Reel 4 (930975) |
North Kingstown Town Council Records | Town Council Records | 1820 | North Kingstown | Volume 22, 1821 - 1823 Pg 49 12 Dec 1820 Freelove Onion, woman of color deceased intestate |
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| MSS 9001-O Oversize | Oaths of Enlistment | Oaths of Enlistment | 1776 | The RI General Assembly passed an act at their October 1775 session calling for the raising of an army for defense of the colony. The RIHS has 33 documents on which 76 men sign the oath to enlist. On January 30, 1776 a man named William Mingo, categorized as "Negro" makes his mark next to his name. | |||
| Mss 943 | Old Stone Bank Records | Ledger | Providence | Includes account ledgers for several identified African-American depositors. | |||
| Mss 943 Series 24 Applications, Box 2 | Old Stone Bank Records | Loan Application | 15 May 1873 | Providence | In John Carroll's loan application says that he has a "new house nearly completed, in negro neighborhood." | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 6 1889-1891 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 11 Nov 1890 | Providence | Receipts for funeral of Lydia A. Marshall, filed November 11, 1890. | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 6 1889-1891 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 16 Oct 1890 | Providence | Receipt to Violetta Potter dated 10/16/1890 from Horace B. Knowles, Undertaker and Embalmer for services including the casket, preserving the remains and for "Colored Bearers, $8.00" | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 6 1889-1891 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 22 Dec 1891 | Providence | Receipt to Estate of Abbie L. Waterman dated Dec. 22, 1891 from Horace B. Knowles, Undertaker and Embalmer for services including "Colored Bearers, $8.00" | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 7 1892-June 1895 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 15 Jan 1892 | Providence | Receipts for funeral of Abbie L. Waterman, filed January 15, 1892 | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 7 1892-June 1895 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 26 Jan 1894 | Providence | Receipts for funeral of Mary Ann Chace, filed January 26, 1894 | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 7 1892-June 1895 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 17 Jan 1894 | Providence | Receipt to Estate of Mary Ann Chace dated Jan. 17, 1894 from Horace B. Knowles, Undertaker and Embalmer for services including "Colored Bearers, $8.00" | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 9 1900-July 1902 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 1 Jul 1901 | Providence | Receipts for funeral of Ellen M. Young, filed July 1, 1901 | ||
| Mss 943 Series 25 "Miscellaneous" Box 9 1900-July 1902 | Old Stone Bank Records | Receipt | 3 Jun 1901 | Providence | Receipt to Estate of Ellen M. Young dated June 3, 1901 from H.A. Remington, Furnishing Undertaker for services including "Services of 4 colored lifters, $8.00" | ||
| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 Box 3, Folders 2-4 | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Papers | 1781-1783 | Providence | Papers of the colonel of the “Black Regiment” in the Revolution. Includes troop returns, 1781-1783. | ||
| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Deposition and Receipt | 9 Sep 1781 | Providence | For runaway slave who enlisted in army and was recovered by Luke Griffith of Maryland. | ||
| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 Box 1, Folder 8 | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Correspondence | 18 May 1791 | Providence | "Providence 18 May 1791 Actuated by the powerfull feelings of [tear] and the great desire I have of excercising, upon Just principles [tear] small influence I may possess towards reliving not of our [tear] men as are held in unlawfull Bondage - [null?] I [p---------e] be admitted as my apology for the Trouble I am no about to give you in communicating the unhappy case |
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| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 Box 2, Folder 11 | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Papers | 1786-1790 | Providence | Joseph Cooke Mercantile Papers: Accounts of the snow America, a slave ship on the African coast. Includes detailed accounts of slaves and rum sold. See finding aid for this collection which includes other accounts and references to the slave trade. | ||
| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 Box 1, Folder 11 | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Correspondence | 2 Apr 1794 | Providence | Letter to Oliver Wolcott re: pension claims of Revolutionary War soldiers; Job Burton, Jabez Remington, Abraham Dennis, Walley Allen, Cato Bannister, James Northrup and Peter Harris. | ||
| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 Box 1, Folder 12: Miscellaneous ship accounts | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Accounts | 1788-1790 | Providence | Expenses of Cooke in Trinidad, 1788-1790. Describes boarding and sale of three slaves. | ||
| Microfilm CS71 .O51 (3 reels with guide to papers on reel 1) Mss 18 Box 3, Folder 15: Mary T. Olney | Olney, Jeremiah Papers | Manumission | 13 Jul 1820 | Providence | Manumission of slave Lewis by Mary T. Olney. | ||
| Mss 601 | Paine, Emily H. Papers | Diary | 1 Jul 1908 | Diary of Bessie Paine, a white resident of South Providence. Describes hearing gunshots while sitting in a drugstore, and discovering that "a colored man shot two women and killed himself." | |||
| Mss 602 | Paine, George T. Manuscripts on Native American Vocabulary | Manuscript | n.d. | Manuscripts written on Native American vocabulary | |||
| Mss 605 Folder 526 | Pattern, David Papers | Correspondence | 28 Sep 1933 | Letter from Caroline Hazard of Peace Dale to Patten, September 28 1933, expressing plans to support "a young negro taking his M.A. at the Yale Divinity School. Dean Weigle tells me that he is not only a good colored student, but a fine student by any standard." | |||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Oversized Vol. 1: Ledger Inn Accounts, 1760-1773 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Ledger | 1760-1773 | East Greenwich | Includes accounts with "Oliver Fry, black fellow," undated (p.46) and Yallow Fry, 1765 (p.233). | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Oversized Vol. 2: Ledger, Store, 1771-1773 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Ledger | 1771-1784 | East Greenwich | Includes accounts with James Allin (p.179). | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 1, Folder 6: Ledger, Inn Accounts, 1757-1759 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Ledger | 1757-1759 | East Greenwich | Includes accounts with "Joshua, Engin" (index page under J), Obadiah Seser (p.42), Oliver Fry (p.43, 56), William/Bill Seser (p.43), Ebenezer Seser (p.43), Sambo Seser (p.44), Samson Sisel (p.69) and possibly others | ||
| *Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 1, Folder 7: Ledger Inn Accounts, 1758-1766 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Accounts | 1758-1764 | East Greenwich | Innkeeper's account book including charges against Africa Arnold (January 9, 1759), Sambo Wener (January 1759-May 1760), Job Sambo (January 9, 1760), Oliver Fry (March 14, 1762), and Sam Spencer, Ingin (December 10, 1762). | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 1, Folder 10: Ledger Inn Accounts, 1763 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Ledger | 1763 | East Greenwich | Ledger of an inn keeper with accounts with Perow Neger/Jonathan Slocum (p.68) and Jobe Samboo (p. 82). | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 2, Folder 4: Ledger, Inn and Tailor Accounts, 1778-1781 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Accounts | 1778-1780 | East Greenwich | Includes accounts with Primus Babcock (p.133), Prince Gardner (p.7), Cuff Tillinghast (p.7&8), Cato Greene (p. 114), Prince Ingram (p.116), Caesar Rose (p.67), Prince Watson (p.18), Paris Gardner (p.127), Ceasar Fince (p.30), Pero Morey (p.47&137) and possibly others. | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 2, Folder 5: Ledger, Inn and Tailor Accounts, 1791-1794 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Accounts | 1791-1794 | East Greenwich | Account book includes charge to Pomp Negro (p.14), Prince Hammon (p.47), David Cuff (p.47), Prince Greene (p.58), Lonnon Hall (p.243), and possibly others. | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 2, Folder 6: Ledger Inn and Tailor Accounts, 1791-1796 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Accounts | 1792 | East Greenwich | Includes making a jacket & britches for Pomp Negro, 1792 | ||
| Mss 72 Series 2: Accounts, Box 2, Folder 13: Loose Accounts, 1770-1774 | Pearce, Preserved Papers | Bill | 1 Dec 1772 | East Greenwich | Bill for shoes purchased by Nathan Greene for a black boy and an Indian boy. | ||
| Mss 9005 Vol. 3, Box 2, page 19 | Peck Collection | Correspondence | 2 Dec 1770 | Rhode Island | Letter, written at Casamance by Silas Jencks after his travel from Gambia to a Captain Ceaser [sic]. He describes the difficulty of finding slaves to buy and details the goods he has traded. He believes "good French guns" are necessary for any future voyages for the Schooner Intect [?]. | ||
| Mss 9005 Box 10, page 62 | Peck Collection | Correspondence | 15 Jun 1797 | Bristol | In a letter to Welcome Arnold, John Brown articulates pro-slavery attitudes and asks Arnold for the names of members of the Abolition Society. | ||
| Mss 9005 Vol. 2, Box 1, page 12 | Peck Collection | Bill of Sale | 10 Jan 1745/6 | Bristol | Sale of Sarah Jethro and her daughter Abigail by Rogers Richmond of Bristol to John Mingo, negro: "Know all men by these Presents that I Rogers Richmond of Bristol in ye County of Bristol in ye Province of ye Massachusets Bay in Nw England yeoman Have for ye Consideration of ye sum of one hundred & thirty Eight pounds old tenor to me in hand well & truly paid by John Mingo negro man of Bristol aforsd have Sold unto John Mingo [----] one molatto woman named Sarah Jethro & one molatto girl named Abigail Daughter to ye sd Sarah and I do hereby Bind & oblige my self my heirs Extr & adms to Warrant & Defend sd molatto woman & girl unto ye sd John Mingo & to his heirs & asigns forever against ye Lawfull Claims & Demands of all & every person & Persons In Witness whereof I ye Rogers Richmond have set my hand & seal this tenth day of January in ye nineteenth year of his Majestys Reign anno Domini 1745/6" | ||
| E445 .R4, part 2, reels 25-27 Mss 16 | Peck, Nicholas Papers | Papers | 1790-1849 | Bristol | Nicholas Peck (1762-1847) was a slave-trader and merchant of Bristol, R.I. This collection consists of papers dated 1790 to 1849. Included are correspondence, bills, receipts, ledgers, insurance certificates and ship's papers regarding U.S. coastal trade and the African slave trade. One particularly interesting unsigned document dated 1812 gives instructions to a ship captain to trade for slaves at the mouth of the Gallinus River, at Cape Mount and on the Gold Coast of Africa, and instructs the captain to land the slave cargo at Trinidad. Other items include a letter from John Brown of Charleston, S.C. (not the famous John Brown of Providence) dated 7/1/1805 re purchase of 6 slaves; two from George F. Usher dated 1/31/1821 and 6/7/1821, apparently re smuggling cargo of slaves ashore at Martinique and Port Royal; and from Henry Bull dated 9/9/1841 offering two slaves for sale. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 9 Folder 1: Joseph Perkins Accounts, 1771-1791, undated | Perkins, Joseph Papers | Accounts | 1771-1791 | South Kingston | Receipt for payment by Dedfoot Brown of Newport | ||
| Mss 629 sg 9 Loose Vol. Daybook, c1775-1783 | Perkins, Joseph Papers | Accounts | 1782 | South Kingston | Includes entries for quash Niles and Charles Gardner of South Kingston | ||
| Mss 9001-P Box 5, Folder: Diaries 1862-1901 | Perry, John A. | Correspondence | 16 Aug 1865 | Includes letter dated 1865/08/16 from Gov. William Sprague to Gen. A.G. Howard, recommending Perry for position. "Mr. Perry has been an earnest worker & advocate for the colored man for a long time. He aided me with the President in the movement for making soldiers of the Blacks and is now anxious to aid in the work of protection and direction to the black man south." | |||
| Mss 9001-P Box 5, Folder 1: Administrator of Estate of William Green… | Perry, Samuel | Agreement | 4 Feb 1785 | South Kingston | Bond of Samuel Perry to the town council as administrator of the estate of William Greene, a black Revolutionary War veteran. | ||
| Mss 9001-P Box 7, Folder 2: Pastor, First Universalist Church, 1788-1859 | Pickering, David | Marriage Records | 1788-1859 | Providence | A page in the back of the volume is entitled "Marriages of Coloured People, Celebrated by David Pickering, Pastor of the First Universalist Society and Church in Providence, State of Rhode Island." Six marriages are listed: Moses Hall and Nancy Proffit.................July 29, 1827 Alfred Brown and Matilda S.B. Ellis.........December 26, 1827 John Plummer and Abigail Browne...........December 8, 1831 James L. Waters and Catherine Browne.... February 9, 1832 John Potter and Silvy Brown...................December 13,1832 Henry Jackson and Bridget Ann Potter.......July __, 1833 [This one is crossed out]. |
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| Mss 622 Box 1, Folder 11: Journals, 1804-1806 | Pitman, Rev. John Diaries | Diary | Jun/Jul 1805 | Providence | Entries mentions hearing W Paul, "a black man" preaching (p. 24); "This week Black Paul preach'd....An excellent preacher much admired" (p.25); "heard Eld. Thomas Paul a blackman preach at the Baptist meeting house" (p. 26); Tuesday J2 In the evening heard W Benjamin Paul a blackman preach at Elder Cornel's" (p.28). Other blacks in Providence may be mentioned in this journal as well as other volumes of Pitman's diaries. | ||
| Mss 9001-P Loose Vol. | Portsmouth Asylum | Book of Registry | 1832-1856 | Portsmouth | Includes listings of inmates, some are listed as "colored." | ||
| Mss 629 sg 2 Series 3, Box 1, Folder 24: ERP Sr. Miscellaneous Legal, 1795-1810 | Potter, Elisha R. Sr. Papers | Legal Cases | 1807-1810 | South Kingstown | Folder contains miscellaneous cases including "Indian Cases" | ||
| Mss 629 sg 2 Series 8, Box 2, Folder 24: Asa Potter, Sr. (1766-1805) - Deeds, Agreements, 1802-1805 | Potter, Elisha R. Sr. Papers | Bill of Sale | 1803, 1806 | South Kingstown | To Asa Potter, Sr., for "A Negro Girl named Nan Born Decemr 25th 1796 also a Negro boy name Isaac Born 26th June 1798" for 50 pounds,1803. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 2 Series 8, Box 2, Folder 25: Asa Potter, Sr. (1766-1805) - Estate Papers, Will, circa 1805-1808 | Potter, Elisha R. Sr. Papers | Bill of Sale | 1803, 1806 | South Kingstown | List of articles bought by Elisha Potter, Sr. of Asa's estate in 1806 - the children mentioned above are on the list (for $30). | ||
| *Mss 629 sg 3 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | n.d. | South Kingstown | Letter from Tobias Ross of Charlestown (Narragansett) (date?) about a land claim? "Do not fail of meeting soon, as the tribe is very anxtious (sic) for you to meet to do business for them....Joshua...wants to cheat me out of my property - and is not willing to settle honest. I must [show?] him to a settlement, and if he will not comply, to what is right shall have a warrant and put him under bond...if you do not meet it will be a great damage to the tribe, and more so to myself." | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 12: 1844, May-December | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 11 Jul 1844 & 31 Jul 1843 | South Kingstown | Rhymed letter from Pequot Thomas Commuck about his hereditary rights to land, 7/11/1844; filed with accompanying 7/31/1843 letter from Gov. J.D. Doty of Wisconsin to Commuck explaining his legal rights. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 2: 1835-1838 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 10 Sep 1836 | South Kingstown | Letter from Tobias Ross asking Potter to attend to "business respecting the Narragansett Tribe" for which a committee was appointed by the General Assembly | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 6: 1839-1841 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 14 Jul 1839 | South Kingstown | Letter to Wilkins Updike from Thomas Commuck (Calamet County, Wisconsin Territory), a full-blooded Narragansett, regarding his claim to property in Charlestown, RI; discusses his Constitutional rights as a citizen of the U.S. (and member of the Brothertown Indians in Wisconsin), July 14 1839 | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 7: 1842 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Petition | 23 Jun 1842 | South Kingstown | Petition of "Metaldy" (Metilda) Rodmond to the General Assembly to sell 45 acres of her Narragansett Reservation land | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 8: 1843, January-July | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 18 Mar 1843 | Charlestown | From Elizabeth Primus to E.R. Potter asking for advice on recovering land that belonged to her grandfather. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 8: 1843, January-July | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 18 Mar 1843 | South Kingstown | Letter from Elizabeth Primus (Narragansett) of Charlestown asking his advice on a land claim (Coyes land), 3/18/1843 | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 8: 1843, January-July | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 18 Jan 1843, 5 June 1843, c. 1842 | South Kingstown | Letter from Moses Stanton (Narragansett) regarding petitions to sell land so he can move to Green Bay; mentions specific petitioners and Knowles Mills land. Dated 1/18/1843. Second letter regarding same, dated 6/5/1843; and two undated letters circa 1842 concerning the same which also mention petitioners. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 9: 1843, August-December | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 8 Aug 1843 | South Kingstown | Letter from John Brown Francis asks, "What is this 'great Indian pow wow.' I thought the tribe were Negroes." | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 11: 1863 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 19 Jul 1863 | South Kingstown | Letter from William Beach Lawrence regarding "slave [soldier?]" case and points of law concerning runaway slaves, 7/19/1863. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 2: 1849-1850 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 6 Jul 1850 | South Kingstown | Letter from Albert C. Greene regarding the imprisonment of a black man named Cheets(?) and the law regarding such | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 2: 1849-1850 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 18 Dec 1850 | South Kingstown | Letter from Thomas R. Hazard asks Potter to report to him on condition of Indians in Charlestown for use in Hazard's report on the poor | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 2: 1849-1850 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 28 May 1850 | South Kingstown | Letter from John Stanton concerning "a young Indian from Michigan" who makes claims to Narragansett Indian lands to which he is heir. With copy of "Act to regulate the Publick Affairs of the Narragansett Tribe of Indians in Charlestown, 1792". | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 2: 1849-1850 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 7 Jun 1850 | South Kingstown | Letter from Potter to John Stanton, Esq. Commissioner of the Indian Tribe discusses Indians leasing the land, leaving the land and their rights to reclaim land if they return. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 4: 1851-1852 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 25 Dec 1851 | South Kingstown | Letter from B. B. Thurston mentions his discussion with Potter about the government of the Narragansett tribe | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 7: 1857-1857 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | c. 1858 | South Kingstown | Undated letter circa 1858 from "a committee of the coloured citizens of the City of Providence" asking Potter's opinion, as a candidate for governor, on the right of black citizens to attend public schools. Filed at end of 1858 correspondence. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 3, Folder 15: 1881-1882 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 23 Aug 1881 | South Kingstown | Letter from Edward S. Cone about "mistakes in the names [of Narragansetts] published in the Journal of today"; lists specific names from list. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 1, Box 3, Folder 7: 1874 | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Correspondence | 23 Mar 1874 | South Kingstown | Letter from Esther B. Carpenter, dated 3/23/1874: "I find that the “young sachem” whom I wish to identify is Charles Augustus Ninigret. He was only distinguished by the last name, in my paper...I have not been able to ascertain the particulars of his disagreement with “John Checkley”, whatever it was... although it was evidently brought before the Assembly some time in the year 1727." | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 3: Research Notes, The Early History of Narragansett | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Deeds and Testimonies | c. 1657-1720 | South Kingstown | Originals and copies (some quite early) of deeds drawn between the English and Narragansett, Pequot tribes. Also testimonies about boundaries of Narragansett and Pequot lands. See Finding Aid for detailed list/locations of individual documents. | ||
| Mss 629 sg 3 Series 7, Box 6, Folder 4: "Abolition Paper" | Potter, Elisha R., Jr. Papers | Papers | 22 Jan 1836 | South Kingstown | "Abolition paper": statement of opinions of "the people of South Kingstown" regarding methods adopted by the abolitionists and legislation regarding slaveholding states, written in the hand of Elisha Potter, Jr. | ||
| Mss 9001-P Box 9 | Potter, James | Complaint / Warrant | 1750 | Providence | Alleges theft of his "musquash boxes" by Jack and Tobee (belonging to William Harris) and Pompe (belonging to Benjamin Potter, Jr.). | ||
| Mss 9001-P Box 9 | Potter, John | Will | 23 Jan 1790 | South Kingstown | In his will, Potter leaves Rose and Peg to his wife. | ||
| Microfilm HA730 P9 A6 Mss 214 sg 6 | Providence Census Collection | Census | 1791, 1825, 1845 | Providence | The 1791 census of Providence lists heads of household, and counts "All Other Free Persons", and "Slaves". Several of the heads are noted as "Negro". The 1825 census of Providence lists heads of household, and counts "coloured males" and "coloured females" aged under 18, 18 to 50, and over 50. The partial 1845 census of Providence, lists heads of household, and counts "Colored Persons", male and female, aged under 10, 24 to 36, 36-55, 55-100, and over 100. Apparently, those between the ages of 10 and 23 were not counted. | ||
| Mss 229 Box 2, Folder 20: Justice of the Peace, 1832 | Providence County Records Collection | Promissory Note | 6 Feb 1832 | Johnston | Autographed note of James Sears "of coller," labourer, to pay Alpheus Hawkins. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 12 Mss 9001-P Box 11 | Providence Insurance Company | Records | 1801-1806 | Providence | This volume contains copies of approved requests for insurance by shipowners, covering only 1801 to 1806. The requests usually give some information on the proposed itinerary, and the expected value of the cargo; a few are for voyages to Africa, although the company's charter forbade insuring ships involved in the slave trade. | ||
| Mss 647 Box 2, Folder 8 | Providence Marine Society | Bill | 1895-1896 | Providence | Bills paid to William H. Williams, 1895-1896, for catering Marine Society lunches and dinners. Williams was a successful African-American caterer in business on the East Side of Providence. | ||
| Mss 653 | Providence Shelter for Colored Children | Records | 1838-present | Providence | The collections contains admissions records and information (1839-1934), records of meetings, annual reports, minutes and financial notes (1838-1993), and other documents relating to the organization. See Finding aid for list/locations of documents. | ||
| Mss 9001-P Loose Vol. | Providence Tailor | Accounts | 1772-1782; 1790-1797 | Providence | Daybook identifies blacks for whom the unidentified tailor made clothing including Quaco Butler (p. 118, 120), Ceasor Sterry (p. 136, p. 166), and possibly others. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 9 | Providence Town Council Minutes | Examination | 1804 | Providence | Examinations of Sarah Babcock, Rusha Jenckes and Reba Congdon, all apparently women of color, January 27 1804; order to Bess Bowers, "a transient black woman," to leave town or be publicly whipped, July 27 1804. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 9 Vol. 2 | Providence Town Council Minutes | Petition | 1803 | Providence | William Goddard petition (July 29, 1803) to manumit Cud Gordon? Maria Watson, born in South Kingston, sold by Jeffry Watson to Peter Taylor of Providence, then to Job Sheldon, is being returned to South Kingston. Two girls of color committed to the Bridewell by Henry Alexander (September 1803). Sarah Tillinghast at John Brown's "song house" was disorderly. Other accounts also. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 9 Vol. 2: 1806-1807 | Providence Town Council Minutes | Examinations | 1806-1807 | Providence | Examinations of POC, with life stories of many of those examined & ordered removed from the town. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 3, No. 1240 | Providence Town Papers | Bond | 2 Jun 1777 | Providence | Isaac Paine's bond as surety to the town on Daniel Tefft's servant, Francis, being freed. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 1, Box 2, page 90, No. 185 | Providence Town Papers | Order to Sheriff | 2 Nov 1751 | Providence | Fearing that blacks are spreading smallpox the town council passed "acts of assembly" to confine them and others to the indoors after 9:00pm. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol 3, No. 1245 | Providence Town Papers | Accounts | Mar-May 1777 | Providence | "Account of the time sundry persons remained in the Hospital at North Providence" which identifies black patients and the deaths of Dinah Tillinghast, Roaze Chace and others. | ||
| *Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol 5, No. 1930 | Providence Town Papers | Examination | 20 Mar 1780 | Providence | Sarah Gardner, an Indian woman, of Warwick and Sarah Cockings, a mulatto woman of Providence. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 5, No. 2013 | Providence Town Papers | Oath of Allegiance | 21 Jun 1780 | Providence | Pomp Reaves was among those who took the oath of allegiance and was mustered into the Continental service. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 5, No. 2131 | Providence Town Papers | Receipt | 15 Jul 1780 | Providence | Nicholas Power received bounty from John Brown for Negro Ceasar for his enlisting into battalion with permission from Power. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 6, No. 2745 | Providence Town Papers | Warrant | 23 Jul 1782 | Providence | Warrant for the following persons to appear before the Town Council "Mrs. McCollough dwelling at the House of Joseph Willson, Margarett Bowler alias Margarett Fairchild a negrowoman together with all the persons dwelling in the House with heron the 21st Day of the present month, and Elizabeth Gardner an Indian or Mulatto Woman . . .together with the following persons at the House of Patience Ingraham viz Nancy Brown alias Nancy Clarkson, Ethel Gladding alias Ethel Hill. . ." Patience Ingraham charged with "keeping a common ill-governed, and disorderly House, and of permitting to reside there, persons of Evil Name and Fame, and of Dishonest Conversation drinking, tipling, Whoring, and Misbehaving themselves to the Damage and Nusance of the Town and great Disturbance of the Public Peace" | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 11, No. 4560 | Providence Town Papers | Correspondence | 11 Dec 1787 | Cranston | From Cambridge, MA to Cranston Town Council re: Cato Freeman. Saying it is fine if he stays in Cranston but can be sent back to Cambridge if he becomes a chargeable problem and cannot support himself & his family; Cambridge will reimburse Cranston if they have to use any funds to support him or send him back. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 12, No. 5216 | Providence Town Papers | Warrant | 23 Jun 1789 | Providence | Warrant for Pedro, a mulatto accused of theft in Wrentham. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 12, No. 5260 | Providence Town Papers | Accounts | 7 Sep 1789 | Providence | Accounts of the Town Council with Henry Bowen for notifying black men Ishmael Brown, John Hix, Jack Greene and Samuel Strange to appear before the Town Council. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 13, No. 5636 | Providence Town Papers | Warrant | 31 May 1790 | Providence | Town sergeant account warrant for the removal of Cato Freeman & family | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 13, No. 5671 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 12 July 1790 | Providence | of Cato Freeman & family from Providence to Cambridge via North Providence. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 18, No. 7980: | Providence Town Papers | Receipt | 11 Jun 1793 | Providence | Bill from Vilet Sterling to town for boarding Prince Thurston, a "poor black adjudged... to belong to Newport." | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 18, No. 7982 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 5 Jun 1793 | Providence | The Town Council's order to the Sergeant to remove Prince Thurston to Newport. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10059 | Providence Town Papers | Lease | 21 Sep 1795 | Providence | Indenture of lease for Cuff Robard for the upper part of a house owned by Henry Bowen at India Point. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10100 | Providence Town Papers | Indenture | 30 Nov 1795 | Providence | Indenture of Betty Church's daughter, Benoni, a mulatto boy to George Greene of Warwick. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10142 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 17 Dec 1794 | Providence | Order for the removal of Waty Greene, a mulatto girl, to be taken from Providence. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10143 | Providence Town Papers | Receipts | 17 Dec 1795 | Providence | Order payable to the coroner for inquest "on the murdered body of a negro man called Paul Jones" | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10165 | Providence Town Papers | Receipts | 17 Dec 1795 | Providence | Receipt for John Smith for the coffin, shroud and burial for Jones "found stabbed in the street" | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10190 | Providence Town Papers | Account | 1794-1796 | Providence | Account with the town of Providence for Pardon Bowen's caring for smallpox patients including those at Moad Sisco's dwelling. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 23, No. 10199 | Providence Town Papers | Indenture | 4 Aug 1805 | Providence | Indenture of Thomas, son of mulatto Betty Church as an apprentice to Stephen Greene of Warwick. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 26, No. 11261 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 6 Oct 1796 | Providence | The Town Council orders Cato Gardner, his wife and son, Samuel, to be returned to Newport. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 26, No. 11268 | Providence Town Papers | Order | 14 Oct 1796 | Providence | Order to pay for a coffin for Nero Douglas and another negro man "who died up town." | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 26, No. 11401 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 5 Sep 1796 | Providence | Gideon Day charges Council for removing Mary Cesar alias Mary Whipple from Providence. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 26, No. 11402 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 8 Nov 1796 | Providence | Council ordered Mary Cesar alias Mary Whipple, "a free mulatto woman said to be...wife of one Jonathan alias Jefferey Whipple" to Smithfield. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 33, No. 13914 | Providence Town Papers | List | 1800 | Providence | "List of Persons reported to have been attacked with a Malignant Fever." Includes the names of some persons of color. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 1, Vol. 39A, No. 16751 | Providence Town Papers | Fine | 20 May 1707 | Providence | Sprague is fined for assault on Negro Frank. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 60, No. 008728 | Providence Town Papers | List | 9 Oct 1806 | Providence | A list of people recommended for expulsion including Cuff Robards and his family, John Thomas, Lucy Gardner, Newport Kelly and wife and others. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 60, No. 008746 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 18 Aug 1806 | Providence | Order for expulsion to Johnston of Mary Caesar and her daughters Martha (age 12), Clarissa (age 8) and Fanny (age 2). | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 86, No. 0023961 | Providence Town Papers | List | 1815 | Providence | Names and residences of people who received public assistance after the 1815 gale including Peggy Patrick and Rachael. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 88, No. 0024940 | Providence Town Papers | Examination | 31 Jul 1815 | Providence | Examination of Newport Thurston | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 88, No. 0024971 | Providence Town Papers | Complaint | 27 Apr 1816 | Providence | Moses Staunton complains about his housekeeper, Mary Cooper, "a woman of colour." He tells of her drunkenness, neglect of his children, and her threats to burn down his house and kill his family. He asks that she be banished to Rehoboth, "her native place." | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 105, No. 0034531 | Providence Town Papers | Report | Dec 1819-6 Jun 1820 | Providence | "Report of the Overseer of the Poor ... gives the names of those supported and assisted" Includes Harry Brown, Stella Corlis, Jane Burnett, Arsee, "a Chinese (black)", Cato Slocum, Thanna Briggs, Prince Whitman's widow, Abby Sibro (deceased), Sarah Sisco and others. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 111, No. 0038651 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 23 Sep 1822 | Providence | Order to remove Betsey Dursey from Providence to Troy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 111, No. 0038670 | Providence Town Papers | Complaint | Mar 1823 | Providence | Cuff Roberts of Coventry asks permission of Council to get pension from Providence. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 111, No. 0038696 | Providence Town Papers | Report | 9 Sep 1822 | Providence | Describes four black families as living in a small house who must toss their waste onto a gangway. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 111, No. 0038860 | Providence Town Papers | License | 1822 | Providence | Includes a license "to retail strong liquors" which includes a clause forbidding the grantee from allowing "any person of colour to take charge of his store." | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 112, No. 0039155 | Providence Town Papers | List | 24 Jun 1822 | Providence | A list of names of colored heads of families and the owners of their residences. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 118, No. 0043139 | Providence Town Papers | Report | Jun 1823 | Providence | Report of the Overseer of the Poor for the year ending June 1823. Identifies Henry Brown, Sophia Concy, Nancy Cusing, Lyllis Dimbo, Bettsy French, Harriet Greene, Newcom Goree, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Mathewson, Lucy McKenzie, Nimble Nightingale, Sarah Sheviateaux, Sarah Sisco, Fanny Tiffany as well as others. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 127, No. 0048290 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 13 Mar 1826 | Providence | Order to remove Henry Gray and his wife Betsy Gray alias Betsy Singleton from Providence. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol 141, page 96, No. 0056943 | Providence Town Papers | Receipt | 22 Feb 1829 | Providence | Coroner's bill for William Johnson who drowned in Canal Dam. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 3, Vol. 145, No. 0059209 | Providence Town Papers | Order for Removal | 15 Dec 1830 | Providence | The Town Council orders the removal of Patena Clarke and her son Ceasar Clarke from Providence to Westerly. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 2, Vol. 3, No. 0931 | Providence Town Papers | Bond | 27 Mar 1708 | Providence | Bond of Thomas Angel as surety for mulatto woman named Hope and her children. | ||
| Mss 214 sg 1, Series 2, Vol. 3, No. 0947 | Providence Town Papers | Bond | 24 Jun 1723 | Providence | Bond of John Brown of Smithfield as surety for Negro Felix. | ||
| Mss 9001-P Box 12 | Prudence Island | Coroners Inquest | 17 Aug 1733 | Prudence Island (Portsmouth) | Inquiry into the deaths of "a certain Indian man and a Negro man that Drone on shore...." | ||
| Mss 9001-R Box 1, Folder: Pomp Reaves, of Cranston, Deed to Gideon Brown | Reaves, Pomp | Deed | 8 Sep 1784 | Cranston | Deed for land in Cranston | ||
| Mss 662 Box 1696-1770, Folder 1 (of 3) | Rehoboth Town Papers | Bill | 11 Aug 1767 | Rehoboth, MA | To town for nurturing & providing for Judith Garrit, Indian woman - 5 weeks | ||
| Mss 662 Box 1696-1770, Folder 3 (of 3) | Rehoboth Town Papers | Bills | 1767-1769 | Rehoboth, MA | Three bills in the collection are for the "keeping and boarding of Morea a Poor Negro Woman belonging to said Town..." from 1767-1769. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 2: Advertisements and Notices | Remington, James H. Papers | Advertisements/Notices | 1866-1867, n.d. | Virginia | Constitution and By-Laws of the New York and Independent Joint Stock Co. of Colored Citizens of New York [c.1866?] - broadside. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 1, Box 1, Folder 15: Law Practice - Case of Taylor Farm | Remington, James H. Papers | Legal Case | 1866-1869 | Virginia | Taylor Farm Case is about the attempt by W.E. Taylor, who fought on the side of the Confederacy, to reclaim land in Virginia he abandoned during the war and was subsequently settled by a large group of African-Americans (Freedmen). The black community refused to leave. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 1, Box 2, Folder 10: School Papers - Early English Compositions | Remington, James H. Papers | School Papers | 1855 | Virginia | School composition James Remington wrote while a student at East Greenwich Academy entitled "The North American Indian", 1855. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 2, Box 3, Folder 7: 1866 | Remington, James H. Papers | Correspondence | 20 Jun 1866 | Virginia | Letter written to James H. Remington from Marie Louise Padelford of Providence, RI.: "Yesterday, I had a letter from Emily [Padelford Remington] saying that they all went 'down home' last Saturday. The Baby did his best - did not cry, whimper or fuss all day long - as incredible as it may seem. It is really a very good - if not wonderful baby. As yet they have given him no name - except little kitten. I believe his grand-parents and black Adeline were quite delighted with him - but you must come on and see the Nephew." [emphasis added] | ||
| Mss 166 Series 6 | Remington, James H. Papers | Collection | 1866-1868 | Virginia | Series 6: Bureau of Refugees, Freedpeople and Abandoned Lands. This collection contains a significant amount of information on the reconstruction efforts in Virginia directly after the end of the Civil War. Brevet Major James H. Remington was assigned to work for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedpeople and Abandoned Lands in various places in Virginia during 1866-1868. Among its services the Bureau provided clothing and blankets to "Destitute Freedpeople." The records include Clothing Receipt Rolls which list each former slave and the items of clothing they received. At the top of each roll is a listing of the counties the people came from. The rolls are in the Bureau Stores or Quartermaster's Stores monthly reports - Abstract L for items expended with vouchers or sub vouchers listing the people and the items they received. In addition, James Remington prepared Inspection Reports for April 1867 - September 1868 on the conditions in his district which included the counties of Norfolk, Princess Anne, Isle of Wight, Nansemond and Southampton. The reports detail the general conditions of the freedpeople, court systems treatment of black citizens, employment conditions, schools and level of temperance in the black community. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 6, Box 5, Folder 31: Bounty due to colored soldiers | Remington, James H. Papers | Charge | 1867 | Virginia | Remington charged with finding and remitting bounty money due to colored soldiers. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 6, Box 6, Folder 15: Case of Charles W. Buttz regarding stealing bounty from colored soldiers | Remington, James H. Papers | Legal Case | 1867-1868 | Virginia | Case of Charles W. Buttz regarding stealing bounty from colored soldiers. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 6, Box 6, Folder 16: Case of Trimm, Kemp, Williams, Harrison & Young vs. Commonwealth of Virginia | Remington, James H. Papers | Legal Case | 1867-1868 | Virginia | Remington writes an opinion on this case of 5 black men who were accused of murdering a white man and were sentenced to death by hanging. JHR's opinion was that the evidence was circumstantial at best and that the witnesses for the prosecution were under threat and in fear for their lives if they did not testify to the guilt of the men accused. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 6, Box 7, Folder 11: Lincoln National Temperance Association | Remington, James H. Papers | Flyer | 10 Jun 1867 | Virginia | Flyer describing group. | ||
| Mss 166 Series 6, Box 7, Folder 23: Torchlight procession planned by "freedpeople" | Remington, James H. Papers | Announcement | Oct 1867 | Virginia | Announcement of planned event | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Series 1, Subseries A: First Rhode Island Regiment (Black Regiment) Boxes 1, 2, 6*, 7*, 10* & Shepley | Revolutionary War Military Records | Records | 1775-1783 | Rhode Island | Includes extensive documentation: a large number of company muster rolls, etc. dating 1775-1783; “Size Roll and Returns”, 1780 (1 vol.); Roster and enlistment book, 2/1781-1782 (cover reads “Angell's Regiment”); Pay book, 1781-1783; Returns book, 2/1780-4/1782; three orderly books for Stark's brigade, (7/1779-6/1780) & one unknown party (5/1779-10/1779) See Finding Aid for detailed list. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 1, Folder 51: Enlistments 3yr Term, Dec. 23, 1779, Elijah Lewis - Christopher Greene. | Revolutionary War Military Records | Muster Roll | Dec 1779 | "Return of the mens Names who were Slaves and Inlisted for During the War to the 3d Company of Foot Commanded by Capt Lewis December 1779." David Potter, Thomas Brown, Prime Babcock, Jack Burrows, James Clark, July Champlin, Newport Greene, Prince Greene, Samuel Rhodes, Plato Vandoorn, Thomas Lefaver, Peter Lovet, Ichabud Northup, Sigby Richmon, Prince Randall, Guy Watson, James Northup, Ceser Wells, Prince Bent, York Champlin, Philer Phillips, Isaac Rodman, Ceser Shelding, Jack Watson, Peter Harris, Bennony Hatheway, Sharper Guarner, Robert Gorum, Jack Fones, Pomp Devenport, Alexandrew Barber. | |||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 1, Folder 52: Free and Slave Enlistments | Revolutionary War Military Records | Muster Roll | Dec 1779 | Foster | List of men enlisted with Lt. Peter Burlingame/Col. Christopher Greene, 2nd Company of Foster: Return of the Mens Names who Were Slaves and Inlisted for During ye War. In the 2nd Company of Foot Commanded by Liet. Burlingame. Scippio Brown- Drummer, Cuff Gardner- fifer, Dick Cozens- fifer, Prince Bucklin, Job Barton, Cato Banister, Affrica Burk, Frank Bowen, Newport Champlin, Jack Coddington, Wm Greene, Jesse Greene, Cato Wm Greene, Cato R Greene, Mintus Gardner, Prospers Gorton, Prince Ingraham, Samson Hazard, Pero Morey, Titus Peirce, Prince Rhodes, Mingo Robinson, Prince Sayles, Brittian Salterson, Henry Tabor, Boston Wilber, Nathl. Wicks, Cudgo Champlin, Juba Smith, Cuff Slade, Prince Rodman, Bristol Arnold. See tab for REV WAR following Index for further information about enslaved men that fought in the war. | ||
| Mss 673 Military Papers, Sub Group 2 Revolutionary War. Box 1 Folder 57: Return of Slaves Enlisted, Col. Greene & Cole, 1780. | Revolutionary War Military Records | Muster Roll | 1780 | A list of the mens Names that were Slaves When they Inlisted 1780: 1 Frank Gould, 2 James Carpenter, 3 London Hall, 4 Robin Howlen, 5 Prince Watson, 6 Prime Watson, 7 Cato Varnum, 8 Cuf Robards, 9 Samson Saunders. | |||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 6, Folder 29: Muster Roll (East Greenwich) | Revolutionary War Military Records | Muster Roll | Mar 1779 | East Greenwich | R.I. Continentals, 1st Regiment, Col. Christopher Greene/Thomas Arnold, muster roll at East Greenwich includes many men of color | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 7, Folder 3: Pay at Camp RI Village | Revolutionary War Military Records | Pay Roll | 10 Feb 1781 | Camp Rhode Island Village | Col. Christopher Greene/Daniel S. Dexter, list of people paid including many men of color | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 7, Folder 25: Muster Roll | Revolutionary War Military Records | Muster Roll | Sep 1782 | Rhode Island | Roll for Jeremiah Olney/William Humphrey's Company includes name of Prince Cleare | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 7, Folder 32: Pay Roll | Revolutionary War Military Records | Pay Roll | May 1777 | Rhode Island | R.I. Continentals Pay Roll, 2nd Regiment, Col. Israel Angell, Capt. Shaw's Company includes name of Private Prince Lippitt. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 8, Folder 1: Return of Effectives | Revolutionary War Military Records | Enlistments | 17 Feb 1776 | Newport | List of men enlisted in Col. William Richmond's regiment, Capt. Christopher Manchester's Company identifies men of color. All eleven appear to be laborer's from Newport. | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 3, Folder 57: Deposition | Revolutionary War Military Records | Deposition | 6 Nov 1777 | Point Judith | Deposition of Martin Murphy of the taking of the British sloop Syren: Mentions "Jacob & Pharaoh two negro men belonging to Carder Hazard of said town, ets. & the net day saw at said Point said Jacob & Pharaoh & another negro man called Quaco, belonging to said Carder Hazard & see them all that day & several days afterwords at work there in helpin to unload said ships." | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 3, Folder 69: Bounty Receipts at North Providence | Revolutionary War Military Records | Receipt | 6 Aug 1778 | North Providence | Receipt by hand of Esek Hopkins for bounty paid for enlistment of his "Negro Loser" [Losher?] in the 1st Regiment Providence Co. Militia (Mathewson's regiment, Jencks' company). | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 3, Folder 101: Subscriptions for Bounty | Revolutionary War Military Records | Subscription | 1 Feb 1781 | Cumberland | Subscriptions for bounty to be paid to Bristol Olney and pay to Capt. Amos Whipple | ||
| Mss 673 sg 2 Box 3, Folder 169: Whipple, Jabez Capt. | Revolutionary War Military Records | Letter of Allegiance | 3 Sept 1776 | Nantucket Island | Sloop Independence: Appointment (by crew) of Jabez Whipple - crew that signed the letter includes "Pampo Negro". | ||
| Mss 663 Box 1 Papers 1709-1836, Folder: 1774-1787 Manumissions | Reynolds Family Papers | Manumission | 1 Mar 1784 | South Kingston | Document of manumission of a negro slave woman named Nab. A note added onto the back of the document indicates that Nab was one of the first slaves freed by act of the Rhode Island legislature. The act was passed on the last Monday of February 1784 and this document was signed on March 1, 1784. "Whereas the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island at there Sessions Held at Providence on the Last Monday of February A D—1784 Did pass an Act of s’d Assembly that Any Person in Said State that was the Master or oneur [owner] of any Negro or Negros Slaves Should be Invested with power to Manimitt and Set free Such Slave or Slaves at Liberty the Slave or Slaves Being at Such ages as in Said Act is Expresed and after Such Mannimison or freedom for Such Slave or Slaves Should be So Set free or Mannimited the Slave or slaves Should Become as one of The Town Inhabitance Where the Master Lived at the Time of the Mannimision by him Signed Now by Virtue of the Above Mentioned act of the General Assembly. Know all men by these presents That I Henry Reynolds of South Kingstown in the County of Washington Do—Mannimit and Set free my Negro Woman Named Nab Aged About Thirty Years and Do by these presents fully and Absolutely Mannimit and Set free my Said Negro Woman Called Nab So that Neither I my Self my Heirs Executors or Adm’s or Either of them Shall have any Right or Claim against the S’d Negro Woman So Mannimited but She Shall for Ever hereafter Remain a free Agent for her Self as fully and Absolutly as tho She was Born of the free Woman In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the First Day of March A:D 1784 Signed Sealed Henry Reynolds & Del’r [Delivered] in the precence of [Following Reynolds’s signature is a seal] Nath’l Helme R Potter [On reverse] Washington Co Personaly Appeared the within Subscriber Henry Reynolds and Acknowleged the within written Instrument to be his Vollentary Act and Deed with hand and Seal thereunto Affixed March y’e Second 1784 Before R Potter D: C.ples [In a different hand] Rec’d 17th Sept 1785." | ||
| Mss 629 sg 1, Box 1, Folder 3: Deeds and bills of sale, 1740-1790 | Reynolds, Elisha Papers | Deed of Sale | 1761 | South Kingstown | Includes one for "negro woman named Binor" from David Greene, 1761. | ||
| Mss 9001-R Box 2 | Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society | Letter/Minutes | 13 Dec 1838, 20-22 Nov 1844 | Providence | Letter to Oliver Johnson, the corresponding secretary of the society, from John Quincy Adams. In the letter, Adams discusses slavery's incongruity with a nation that extolls liberty among its highest values; Minutes to the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society. | ||
| Mss 664 | Rhode Island Association for Freedman | Records | 1864-1867 | Rhode Island | The Rhode Island Association for Freedmen was formed in 1864 as a response to the needs of the emancipated slaves. Its services included temporary housing, the collection and distribution of clothing, food, sundry goods and a job training program. In the latter service the Association was occasionally successful in finding jobs in other states for those fortunate in acquiring marketable skills. In 1867, it merged with the New England Freedmen's Aid Society to form the New England Branch Freedmen's Union Commission. These records contain minutes, accounts, correspondence and other documents. See Finding aid for list/locations of documents. | ||
| Mss 677 Box 1, Folder 8: "Reminiscence of the South Side of Westminster Street" | Rhode Island Citizens Historical Association | Reminiscence | n.d. | Providence | "Reminiscence of the South Side of Westminster Street" by Elisha Dyer mentions a Snow St. resident, Scipio Brenton. "Snow Street had then a very extended reputation, as at the corner of Middle Street stood the residence of that Prince of Caterers, Scipio Brenton, and his somewhat numerous family of boys and girls." | ||
| Mss 677 Box 1, Vol. 1 | Rhode Island Citizens Historical Association | Notes/Minutes | 1883-1888 | Providence | Pages 12-13- provides numbers of 155 women and 184 men blacks in Providence in 1768; page 26- newspaper clipping includes brief reminiscences of Cyrus Butler's servants (former slaves) Temp and Prince aka Primmy No Nose; page 47-newspaper clipping shows the number of blacks in each town in Rhode Island in 1755 | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 2, page 43 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Lease | 4 Jan 1737 | Providence | Cuffe Numco, a laborer, leases land from Joshua Winsor adjacent to his own lot and house. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 2, page 79 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Promissory Note | 17 Oct 1748 | Providence | Promissory note given by John Sprague to Bristo. | ||
| *Mss 9003 Vol 4, p. 138 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Payment | 1776 | Providence | Payment record for boarding of Providence hospital patients, names some blacks | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 11, p. 98 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Sale | 1745 | Newport | 10 June 1745: Public auction of 4 mustees, l mulatto and 4 negroes; their value is recorded in pounds. Document names the buyers as Peleg Brown, Benjamin Norton, Robert Morris, John McDaniel, Nathaniel Potter, Daniel Coggeshall, George Goulding, and William Mumford. "Peleg Brown for a mustee fellow 60." "Benj. Norton for a negro man 126." "Robert Morris for a mustee man 125. Robert Morris for a negro man 125." "John McDaniel for a mustee man 95." "Nathaniel Potter for a mollatto man 60." "Daniel Coggeshall for a mustee man 101." "George Goulding for a negro man 80." "Wm. Mumford for a negro man 184." |
||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 18, p. 139 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Bill of Sale | Newport | Bill of sale from William Stevens for a "mustee Garl aged about fifteen months" to Mrs. Lydia Turner. | |||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 18, p. 76 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Inventory | 1759 | Exeter | Inventory of estate of Joseph Rathbun, includes "a negro man named Primos." | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 18, p. 97 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Receipt | 4 Jan 1781 | Johnston | Levi Ceasar receipt from Col. Daniel Manton wages for services as a soldier. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 18, p. 97 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Receipt | 24 Feb 1781 | Johnston | Jeremiah Ceasar autographed order assigning to John Waterman wages for service as a soldier. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 2, p. 105 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Population Count | 1768 | Providence | Population count, shows 47 blacks residing in Providence (not a list) | ||
| E 186.3 R4 v. 51 Williams, Roger. An Affidavit by Roger Williams…" Society of Colonial Wars, Providence, 1976. Mss 9003 Vol. 10, p. 54 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Deposition | 1682 | Providence | 1682 deposition by Roger Williams re his early dealings with the Narragansetts. This item has been completely transcribed and annotated in volume 51 of the publications of the Society of Colonial Wars in Rhode Island as “An Affidavit by Roger Williams in his Own Handwriting” (1976). The published version should be used rather than the original. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 11, p. 97 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Deed of Sale | 3 July 1744 | Newport | Sale by Nicholas Carmer, a New York City mariner, to Samuel Freebody of Newport of "A certain negro man slave named St. Augua." [Possibly Santiago--born in Cuba?] | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 11, p. 98 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Auction Account | 10 Jun 1745 | Newport | Public auction of 4 mustees, l mulatto and 4 negroes. Document names the buyers as Peleg Brown, Benjamin Norton, Robert Morris, John McDaniel, Nathaniel Potter, Daniel Coggeshall, George Goulding, and William Mumford. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 11, p. 98 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Bill of Sale | 29 May 1747 | Newport | Samuel Freebody's bill of sale for a "negro man named Quaman" to Capt. John Tillinghast and the owners of Brig. Defiance. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 14, p. 12, OvB3 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Census | 1755 | Rhode Island | "Account of the people...of Rhode Island, whites and blacks..." enumeration only, by town. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 12, p. 3 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Bill of Sale | 23Jun 1750 | Providence | Bill of Sale Solomon Drowne to Arthur Fenner 23 June 1750: "Know all Men by these Presents That I Solomon Drowne of Providence in the County of Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island in New England Esqr. for and in Consideration of the Sum of Three Hundred Pounds Old Tenor to me in Hand before the [-]nsealing and Delivery hereof well and truly paid by Arthur Fenner of said Providence Esqr the Receipt whereof I do hereby Acknowledge and thereof do acquit and discharge the said Arthur Fenner & his Heirs Execs and Administrators by these presents Have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents Do foe me, my Heirs, Executors & Administrators give, grant, bargain, and sell unto him the Said Arthur Fenner One certain Negro Man named Sartur and aged about Twenty one years Together with the Right, Ritle, Interest, Propert, Claim and Demand whatsoever of one the said Solomon Drowne and my Heirrs Executors and Administrators of, in, and unto the said Negro Man named Sartur. To have and to hold the said granted, bargained and sold egro Man Sartur and all my Right, Title, Interest, Property, Claim and Demand of him or by thee same unto him the said Arthur Fenner and to his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns forever And I the said Solomon Drowne for my self and my Heirs Executors and Administrators doe covenant promise and grant to and with the said Arthur Fenner & his Heirs Executors and Administrators That I the said Solomon Drowne have in my self good Right, full Power and Lawful authority to grant, bargain and Sell the said Negro Man Sartur unto him the said Arthur Fenner in Manner and Form aforesaid according to the true Meaning hereof; And that I the said Solomon Drowne and my Heirs Executors and Administrators thee aforesaid bargained and sold Negroe Man Sartur unto him the said Arthur Fenner and to his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns against the Lawful Claims and Demands of all manner of Persons whomsoever shall and will Warrant, Secure, and forever defend by these Presents. In Witness whereof I the said Solomon Drowne have hereunto set my Hand and Seale this Twenty third Day of June in the Twenty fourth Year of his Majesties Reign George the Second King over Great Britain &c Anno Dom 1750 Signed Sealed Delivered Solomon Drowne In the Presence of us Step Hopkins Daniel Jenekes." | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 12, p. 56 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Receipt | 9 Aug 1764 | Rhode Island | Nehemiah Ward's receipt given to Prince Miller for payment for a house. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 14, p. 61, OvB3 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Report to Congress | 1786 | Rhode Island | Committee report in response to Congress order for a list of blacks carried away by the British from Rhode Island during the war. Provides names of 42, free men and slaves with their age, physical description, and some history. Most were taken from Newport in 1779. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 16, p. 102 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Deposition | 1 Jul 1786 | Newport | Deposition of Col. George Irish in the case of Samuel Freebody vs. James Brattle concerning whippings inflicted upon Capt. Freebody's manservant Ben. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 16, p. 96-100 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Papers | 1758-1784 | Newport | Samuel Freebody's papers (1758-1784) including a receipt for Quammani, Toney and Quarsheba (1758). Letters from his slave Benjamin Freebody whom he sent out on a slaving voyage in 1775 and who remained at sea in a privateer crew during the war. William Robinson's letter offering to sell Lucy, wife of Cudjoe Heathy of South Kingston and her son to Freebody (1784). | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 17, p. 89 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Indenture | 10 Dec 1810 | Providence | Apprenticeship of London Shoemaker as a servant and farmer to Ebenezer Knight Dexter by the Providence Town Council. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 5, p. 43 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Deaths | 23 Jan 1710 | Providence | On reverse of a letter to John Whipple dated March 20, 1711 is a list of people that died in Providence after January 23, 1710. This list indicates 2 negro boys and an Indian man died, but they are not named. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 7, p. 59 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Settlement | Feb-Nov 1781 | Providence | "Statement of the settlement at the Treasury of the [pension] Claims of the following persons for services during the late war in the Rhode Island line of the Army." List included sixteen names, mostly men of color including Caesar Updike, Cato Greene, Jack Watson, Cuff Greene. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 7, p. 69 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Correspondence | 8 Oct 1792 | Providence | In a letter from Andrew Boyd of East Greenwich to Daniel Cooke of Providence, Boyd writes about claim against George Holden, a black sailor. | ||
| Mss 9003 Vol. 9, p. 37 | Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts | Account | n.d. [c. 1756] | Rhode Island | Account between the owners of the sloop, Freelove, a slave ship bound for Africa with Joseph Wanton as the captain. | ||
| Mss 527 Vol. 3, p. 360 | Rhode Island Land Evidence | Ruling | 27 May 1721 | Rhode Island | Ruling that unidentified slaves shall be sold at public auction (19th century transcription). | ||
| Mss 9004 Vol 10, p. 81 (Oversize) | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Deed | 6 Mar 1720 | Providence | Deed from Providence Williams to Samuel Wilkinson | ||
| Mss 9004 Vol. 1, p. 57 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Manumission | 11 May 1786 | Providence | Repeats Ruth Hopkins document of manumission of her former slave Toney Hopkins. | ||
| Mss 9004 Vol. 10 Box 4, pages 81a & 81c, 82-84, 85 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Accounts | 1761-1770 | Newport | Accounts and letter of Cesar Lyndon. Includes account with Neptune Sisson, a trip to Portsmouth with Boston Vose, Zingo Stevens Phylis Lyndon, Prince Thurston, Neptune Sisson & Wife, Sarah Searing. Marriage of Zingo Stevens and Phylis Lyndon by Rev. Edward Upham (June l5, 1770), Marriage of Cesar and Sarah Lyndon by Ezra Stiles, (October 6, 1767),and death of Susannah Lyndon (June 15, 1770) The birth of a daughter named Sarah to Phyllis [Lyndon] on June 16, 1769. Other individuals mentioned in the documents include Prince Richards, Primus Searing, Sarah Robinson "(an Indian Mulatto)". He also has an account with the merchant Aaron Lopez dated December 9, 1766. | ||
| Mss 9004 Vol. 10, p. 118 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Correspondence | 1842 | Providence | Alexander Crummel to William R. Staples answering questions Staples had posed regarding the history of the Christ Church Episcopal congregation. Christ Church was the first African-American Episcopal congregation in Rhode Island and they worshiped on Union Street in Providence, 1839 - 1851. | ||
| Mss 9004 Vol. 10, p. 143 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Census | Aug 1821 | Providence | Census recap which includes blacks both free and slaves. | ||
| Mss 9004 Box 1 & 2, Vol. 5 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Correspondence | 1796 | Providence | Includes the official correspondence received by David Leonard Barnes, the judge of the U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island, relates directly & indirectly to the slave trade. | ||
| Mss 9004 Box 3, Vol. 6, p. 35-39 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Correspondence | 1797 | Providence | Documents from the slave brig Louisa, 1797. Pages 35 and 36 are listings of slaves sold; the name of Captain Elisha Briggs was blotted out or cut out in several places by a 19th-century historical revisionist. | ||
| Mss 9004 Box 3, Vol. 6, p. 41-48 | Rhode Island Manuscripts | Correspondence | 13 Nov 1792, 4 Dec 1792, 29 Dec 1792, 16 Jan 1793, 17 Jan 1793, 20 Jan 1793, 17 Dec 1793, 4 Feb 1793 | Providence | Exchange of letters in which Ambrose Knox writes from North Carolina asking for the aid of David L. Barnes in retrieving runaway slaves at Taunton. Knox writes, "They say they saw more liberty in their master's kitchen than they have had or ever expect to find in New England." Also includes a list of expenses incurred by Knox while hunting slaves. | ||
| Mss 670 Loose Vol. 3, Printing Jobs 1809-1825 | Rhode Island Republican | Accounts | 29 Mar 1809 | Newport | Charges for advertising Enoch Crandall's mulatto runaway. | ||
| Mss 9001-R Loose Vol. | Rhode Island Society of Natural History | Size Roll | Sep 1782 | Rhode Island | Includes size roll of 3rd co. of the “Black Regiment” in the Revolution. | ||
| Mss 231 sg 3 Series 1: General Assembly Box 3, Folder 15: Petitions Narragansett Indians, 1785 | Rhode Island State Records Collection | Petition | Feb 1785 | Rhode Island | Petition of the Narragansett Tribe in Charlestown, RI read to the General Assembly in February 1785 and referred to the June 1785 Session. Petition regarding land taken from Indians and given to others while the original owners were away as soldiers in the Continental Service. Signed by 176 people; regarding disputes between Indians and white and requesting the creation of a "Committee of your own Citizens investing them with full Power of hearing & determining all Disputes and Controversies that may arise between any of the Indians of the Narransett [sic] Tribe, among themselves, or with any of the Citizens of this State" | ||
| Mss 231 sg 3 Series 5: Courts, Box 6, Folder 6: Vice Admiralty Court | Rhode Island State Records Collection | Decree | 4 Jul 1746 | Rhode Island | Degree of Judge William Strengthfield. The ship St. Jacques commanded by [Branmonois?] La Motte of France was captured by Capt. Peter Marshall and Capt. Thomas Randall. In addition to the cargo “the Negroe taken on board the said ship named Peter was the property of the aforesaid La Motte and was to have been sold at Cape Francois the place the said ship was bound to but that the other Negro named Manuel was free. I therefore condemn the said ship together with all her cargo and save only the aforesaid Negro Manuel who appears to be free, as good and lawful prize.” Records of the Vice-Admiralty Court of Rhode Island 1716-1752 edited by Dorothy S. Towle, American Historical Association, Washington, D.C. 1936, American Legal Records - Volume 3, pp377-380, Prince Frederick and Dolphin vs. St. Jacques. The entry for this case notes that the “Decree of condemnation is missing.” The case is found in the Admiralty Papers IV, 29, 34. The RIHS appears to have the original decree signed by William Strengthfield. |
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| Mss 9001-R Box 4 | Rhodes, Nahum | Account Book | 1773-1774 | Warwick | Debit and credit for Prince (November 12, 1774) and possibly others throughout the book. | ||
| Mss 680 Box 1, p. 16-20 | Rice, Thomas Papers | Deposition | Feb 1741-1744 | Warwick | Depositions from John Hunt, Thankfull Collens, Job Warner and others, inquiring into the injury and death of Captain John Rice's servant, Sharper. | ||
| Mss 680 Box 2, p. 28 | Rice, Thomas Papers | Correspondence | 20 Aug 1744 | Providence | Note from Ellin Coker asking for 40 pounds for sale of a negro boy to Thomas Rice. | ||
| Mss 215 Box 1, Folder 2-8 & Box 2, Folder 1-3: Return of a Death | Richmond Town Records Collection | Death Records | 1877-1905 | Richmond | Consists primarily of records pertaining to white people. There are quite a few "black", "copper", and "collard" people recorded as well. Dates of Death: 6/2/1877, 1/17/1880, 9/10/1879, 10/1880, 2/26/1881, 10/15/1881, 5/21/1885, 12/14/1886, 11/15/1887, 11/26/1887, 3/18/1888, 7/2/1888, 11/1/1888, 8/6/1891, 10/14/1891, 5/21/1894, 7/31/1894, 10/9/1894, 12/19/1894, 8/17/1897, 9/17/1898, 4/2/1899, 6/9/1899, 6/8/1900, 3/13/1900, 6/11/1901, 1/1/1903, 4/1/1903, 4/29/1903, 8/21/1903, 8/22/1903, 4/1/1904, 4/1/1904, (2)4/25/1904, 9/30/1904, 10/22/1904, 10/28/1904, 2/5/1905, 3/17/1905, 10/26/1905, 11/19/1905; | ||
| Mss 215 Box 1, Folder 1: Return of a Birth, 1894 | Richmond Town Records Collection | Birth Records | 1894 | Richmond | Dates of Birth: 12/7/1894, 4/23/1894, 11/27/1894 | ||
| Mss 9001-R Box 5 | Richmond, John Rogers | Indenture | 1761 | Apprenticeship indenture of Ephraim Pomham Frost, an Indian boy, to John Rogers Richmond by his mother Mary Frost to learn no trade, 1761. | |||
| Mss 1132 Folder 2: Diary Vol. 2, Part 2 | Robinson, Noah Diaries | Diary | 1778 | Massachusetts | Diary kept during his service in Massachusetts regiment of Col. John Daggett's. The entry for March 1, 1778 describes an offence suffered by a black man and the subsequent entries give information about the resolution of the conflict. | ||
| MSS 1132 Folder 5: Diary Vol. 5 Aug - Oct 1787 | Robinson, Noah Diaries | Diary | 1787 | Massachusetts | A poem appears at the end of the diary, not in the handwriting of Noah Robinson which reads: The Orange tree in southern Isle Its fragrant branches spreads Where the poor suffering negro toils And With his hardships bleeds. |
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| Mss 9001-S Box 1 | Samuel | Documents | 17 Jul 1670 | Portsmouth | Two documents (record of coroner's inquest, and verdict signed by jury) in the case of the Indian Samuel found dead in the well of Anthony Emry at Portsmouth, July 17 1670. | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 1 | Sanford, Jack | Manumission | 1 Mar 1781 | Westerly | Act of manumission to Jack by Elisha Sanford, a Newport ship carpenter. | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 3 | Scott, John | Manumission/Deed | 1770, 4 Apr 1783 | Providence | A copy of John Scott's manumission of Pompey, 1770; deed for sale of a house and lot to Brister Olney, carefully located as "number twelve, on the right of Roger Mowry", 4 Apr 1783 | ||
| Mss 165 Series 3 Medical Accounts Box 1, Folder 24: 1793-1802 | Senter, Dr. Isaac Papers | Accounts | 1793-1802 | Pawtuxet | In the 1793-1802 account book, Dr. Isaac Senter names as patients, Dutchess Gibbs, Cudjo Gibbs, and probably other blacks. | ||
| Mss 165 Series 6 Senter Family Papers Oversized Vol. 18: Horace Senter: Ledger, 1801-1807 | Senter, Dr. Isaac Papers | Accounts | 1801-1807 | Pawtuxet | Dr. Horace Senter documents attending to Cudjo Gibbs, Cato Barker, Dutchess Channing, Maria, Cuff Simmons, Zingo Stevens; arranged alphabetically. | ||
| Mss 712 Series 1 Box 2, Folder 10: 1804 | Sessions, Thomas Family Papers | Receipt | 15 Sep 1804 | Providence | Bill to Thomas Sessions from Jack and Sam Caesar for building a wall. | ||
| Mss 713 Vol. 3: 4/02/1863-8/16/1864 | Shaw, Charles A. Papers | Diary | 18 Aug 1863 | Providence | "A week ago there came to our house Aunt Julia and Nannie and two children and a nigger girl" [8/14/1863] | ||
| Mss 713 Vol. 4: 8/18/1864-11/16/1865 | Shaw, Charles A. Papers | Diary | Sept 1864 | Providence | "Soon the door opens, waiter enters holding my card, says 'Miss Smith does not have the acquaintance of the gentleman.' I smile, darkey smiles, and we proceed to the door." [9/01/1864]; "So went up and rang the door [to the governor's], the door was opened by a darkey . . ." [9/07/1864] | ||
| Mss 715 Loose Vol., 1830-1855 | Shaw, William A. Papers | Ledger | 1830-1855 | East Greenwich | Physician accounts show treatment for Nat Rome "colored" (p.148), Timothy Rodman "man of color" (p.182), Dorcas Gardner "black woman" (p.155), and on the last page "Perry black man /Old Rittes son/" and "Bradwick Thomas (black)." | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 5 | Sheldon, Christopher | Accounts | 1771-1776 | Providence | Nathan Angell's accounts with estate of Christopher Sheldon (1771-1776) includes man "Negroe Colett" who may be same named in Gideon's Manchester's 1769 inventory. Another account with estate (1802) names "John Wallace (Negro)." | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 5 | Sheldon, George | Crew List | Mar 1818 | Cranston | Papers of Brigantine Hector of Providence on a voyage to Charlestown, SC, France and India. The crew list includes Thomas Butter, a free black from Providence. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 3, pages 68 & 70 | Shepley Collection | Bills | 1770, 1771 | Newport | Portage bills for the sloop Adventure includes Prince Miller. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 3, page 76 | Shepley Collection | Memo | c. 1785 | Newport | Memo of wages lists the crew for Brig Bayonne including Prince Gardner. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 6, page 112 | Shepley Collection | Petition | 14 Dec 1792 | Charlestown | Petition of Harry Niles to the Honble. Committee Appointed to Settle Indian Affairs in Charlestown requesting land on the basis that his mother was "one of the Tribe of Indians." | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 6, page 112 | Shepley Collection | Bill | 15 Oct 1810 | Charlestown | Bill from Lodowick Paul against the estate of Harry Hazard for the boarding of his child. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 7, pages 31, 32, 34, 37, 38, 44, 72-76 | Shepley Collection | Papers | 1842-1850 | Charlestown | Papers of the committee consisting of the Charlestown Indian Council and Robert Hazard appointed to settle land disputes and petitions. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 9, pages 31-42 | Shepley Collection | Papers | 1708-1835 | Charlestown | Original manuscript and copies relating to the sale of tribal lands, regulations, and lawsuits. For example, p. 34 is an indenture of lease between Sarah Niles, an Indian woman and Jacob Perry, a mulatto man (March 18, 1808). Other papers relate to suit of Moses Stanton vs. James Kenyon, 1835. |
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| Mss 9006 Vol. 10, page 153 | Shepley Collection | Deed | 11 Apr 1789 | Providence | Deed from Santealger Hopkins, free negro, to Elizabeth Arnold, widow, for half a house in Providence owned in common with Bonno Brown, a free negro. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 13, page 141 | Shepley Collection | Petition | Mar 1789 | Providence | Continental Army soldier Plato McClellan signs his petition to the Rhode Island Assembly for relief for a disability incurred in service | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 15, page 19 | Shepley Collection | Indenture | 5 Dec 1723 | Jamestown | George Greene contracts to George Mumford the services of his slave Hannah aged one year and six months, who is "half Indian and Half Negro," for a term of nineteen and a half years. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 15, page 39 | Shepley Collection | Agreement | 13 Mar 1730 | North Kingstown | An agreement between Daniel Updike of Newport and Israel Phillips of North Kingstown for a joint operation of a farm in North Kingstown. Updike will provide two "good negroes" or other hands to work on the land. | ||
| Mss 9006 Box 8, Vol. 11, p. 1 | Shepley Collection | Bill of Sale | 4 May 1769 | Smithfield | Bill of sale of "One Negro Man Slave called Cesar" from Luke Arnold of Smithfield to Oliver Arnold of Providence. | ||
| *Mss 9006 | Shepley Collection | Bill | 26 Sep 1814 | Charlestown | Narraganset Indian Council, Bill of Indian Council for Hannah Phillips to Robert Hazard. For rent of land. | ||
| Mss 9006 Vol. 15, page 73 | Shepley Collection | Accounts | n.d. [c. 1756] | Rhode Island | One page of accounts with no date contains the note, "the within act. I supose was Capt. Benjamin Remington's of Jamestown, R.I. while on a voyage to the coast of Affrica for slaves." | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 5, Folder 1: 1863-1864, Folder 2: 1865-1866, Folder 3: Reminiscences, Printed, etc. | Sherman, George R. | Papers | 1863-1866 | Rhode Island | Sherman was a white captain of the Third Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops, 1863-1866. His papers include orders, letters, and reminiscences. | ||
| Microfilm E 445 .R4, Part 2, Reel 28 Mss 828 Box 12, Folder 2 | Ships' Logs Collection | Log Book | 1795-1797 | Africa; St. Thomas | Includes log of slave ship Dolphin. This diary kept by an unknown seaman from 1795 to 1797 is one of the few known surviving accounts of a slaving voyage, which seems to have been a failure. The crew initially set out in the ship Dolphin, changed over to the sloop Rising Sun in St. Thomas, and upon reaching Africa quickly took on 21 slaves (see 10/23/1795 entry). The ship then suffered serious damage in a tornado, and sat at an island for almost a year attempting repairs while the captain traveled to the mainland attempting to procure more slaves. During this period, two slaves were whipped for plotting to poison the crew's rice (9/4/1796). The Rising Sun was eventually pronounced unfit for sailing, and the diarist joined on with the crew of a Boston-bound sloop Fame to begin his journey home. Two slave revolts on other ships are described through hearsay: the ship Liberty (11/21/1795) and a New York ship on which Capt. Moore and his crew were all massacred (7/11/1796). | ||
| Microfilm VB 260 .A5 1976, Reel 1 Frames 64-116 Mss 828 Box 1, Folder 2: Preservation Photocopy | Ships' Logs Collection | Log Book | July 1798 - June 1799 | Providence; Orient | Log book of the Ann & Hope, 1798-99: Starboard watch (second to last page of log) included "Anthony Knowles (black)." | ||
| Mss 828 Box 13, Folder 2 | Ships' Logs Collection | Log Book | 1836-1837 | New York, NY; Apalachicola, FL; Tampa, FL | Log of the schooner Pilot, John F. Phillips captain on a trip from New York to Florida during the time of the Seminole War in Florida, 1836-1837. | ||
| Mss 718 Box 2, Folder: Simmons, Sylvester- 1800-1805 | Simmons Family Papers | Agreement | 4 Apr 1800 | Providence | Individual crew members, including Newport Troop, signed agreements for sealing/trading voyage to China | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 6 | Simon, John | Indenture | 22 Jun 1751 | Tiverton | Apprenticeship indenture of "Indian boy" of Tiverton, son of Naomy Zekil, to house carpenter Gideon Gifford of Dartmouth, Mass. for fourteen years. Mentions his "father-in-law" (step-father?) Isaac Zekil. Pledges, among other things, that he "shall not commit fornication nor contract matrimony within ye sd term; cards, dice or any other unlawful games he shall not play...nor haunt ale houses, taverns or play houses." | ||
| Mss 145 Series 3 Loose Vol. 2: Records, 1743-1831 | Six Principle Baptist Church Records | Church Record | 1743-1831 | East Greenwich | Members include: June 1743... Quasey molatto woman [no. ]35 Dead.. March 14th 1756..Mingo Negro [no. ]56 Dead... Augt. 2nd. 1761 Seezer Sweet Negro [no. ]60 Dead.. Augt. 21st 1763 Patience Sambow [no. ]75 Dead [race?]... March 10 [1783] Expearence Negro Dead July 24 1808 Mary Barnes of Coler... Joining from Warwick: October 18th 1753...Hager Green negro...Mary Fuller Indian |
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| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1809 | Washington County; Kent County |
Harris Smith used published almanacs to record deaths and events in Rhode Island. In this Almanac he recorded "Mob raised at Wickford round the house of Daniel Updike headed by Gen. Samuel Sambo." The 1800 census lists Samuel Sambo as a free black living in Wickford with 5 family members. | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1812 | Washington County; Kent County |
"Darity Hall died the 4th day of the month in the woods where she went to git wood. A Black Woman Between 70 an 80 years of age." |
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| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1814 | Washington County; Kent County |
This almanac included multiple references to the deaths of people of color: Eunice Brown, Dick Gardiner, and Betty Hall. | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1815 | Washington County; Kent County |
On the page for October he recorded: "2 Black Children died at Bradocks Thomas in this month" Thomas may be the last name of the children based on its location on the page. On the page for November he recorded: "Cloe Thomas died 21st of this mo 1815 (black woman)" The death of Amy Samson was also noted. | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1816 | Washington County; Kent County |
"Black child at Bradocks" | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1829 | Washington County; Kent County |
Black James Updike." | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1837 | Washington County; Kent County |
"Cato Rooms, black man of Colony, was killed by James Browning." "Simon Davis a man of color dyed the 5th this month by pricking [?] him self" | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1838 | Washington County; Kent County |
"Primis Browning a man of coller . . " | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1840 | Washington County; Kent County |
"Mary Mcpherson Child Drowned November 17: 1840 Colloured Child" | ||
| MSS 722 Box 1, 1777-1850 | Smith, Harris Diaries | Almanacs / Diaries | 1843 | Washington County; Kent County |
"Harriot Maxwell a Collared girl died March 24" | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 9 | Smith, Sandford | Memoirs | 1781 | Includes copy of memoirs of Capt. Stephen Olney of the famous “Black Regiment” in the Revolution, 1781. | |||
| MSS 217 Folder 7 | Smithfield Town Records | Resolution | 1783 | Smithfield | Resolution to support ban of slave trade. | ||
| Mss 723 Box 2, Folder 18: Nelson Viall | Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society | Narrative | 20 Oct 1891 | Rhode Island | History of "the Fourteenth RI Heavy Artillery (colored)", 1863-1865 by Nelson Viall. | ||
| Mss 218 Box 1, Folder 33: Overseer of the Poor | South Kingstown Town Records Collection | List | 2 Jun 1818 | South Kingstown | List of people who are in the care of James Knowles including William Gardner, Pero Shearman, Dinah Watson, Patience Brown, and Sophia Brown. A brief description including age and medical condition is given for each person. | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 11 | Spencer, Julius | Accounts | 1799 | Providence | Spencer's accounts as a sailor which are settled by John Waterman and "Cola, Cuff's wife." | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 11 | Spiwood, Jeremiah | Indenture | 6 Feb 1731/2 | Warwick | Apprenticeship indenture of Jeremiah Spiwood and "his wife Betsy Brown so called" to Amos and Mary Stafford, February 6 1731/2. | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 1 | St. John's Guild | Records | 1879-1881 | Providence | Records, 1879-1881, of the Visiting Society of St. John's Episcopal Church in Providence. Includes detailed descriptions of repeated visits to the following seven persons listed as "colored", and presumably poor and elderly: Isaac Bowen, Miss Martha Bowen, Miss Eunice Jackson, Mrs. Louisa Johnson, Mrs. M.A. Malbone, Mrs. Jane A. Smith, Mrs. Lucy Waterman. See Finding Aid for detailed list of individual documents as well as transcriptions of these visits. | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 13, Folder 1: Items Relocated from RIM Vol. 10 | Staples, William Read | Correspondence | n.d. | Providence | Letter from R. Parker relating the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church organized in 1838. Names the first minister, Rev. N.C.W. Cannon and the church's 15 founders. | ||
| Mss 9001-S Box 13, Folder 2: of Providence (1837-1861) | Staples, William Read | Correspondence | 15 Feb 1842 | Providence | Letter from Samuel Rodman outlining the history of the Second Freewill Church, originally the Abyssinian Freewill Church. | ||
| Reading Room F89 .S7 S733 2003 Mss 1129 | Stedman, Daniel Diary | Journal | 1829-1859 | South Kingstown | This diary was kept by a farmer and shoemaker in South Kingstown, RI. He makes notes of deaths, births, marriages and daily happenings in the town. The RIHS owns both the original diary and a published transcription of it. The published version is indexed extensively and includes notes on Indians but does not index comments on African-Americans. He does note the deaths of people of color in the community but those deaths have not been indexed using race as an indicator. Below are some abstracts from the diary which mention people of color. | ||
| Reading Room F89 .S7 S733 2003 Mss 1129 | Stedman, Daniel Diary | Journal | 1829-1859 | South Kingstown | Death of Samuel Norake 3/1/1826 and death of Philis Peckham 3/5/1826 "Died very sudden Pat Dimmis a colored person at the Widow Sweet's, Lay down in Liqur and went to Sleep and Never awoke." [4/28/1827] "The Indians took up Pat Dimmis and Caried her to Charlestown to Bury [5/9/1827] "I worked for J.N. Potter he had Sambo Potter (a man of color). Two Squaws Stopt to bottom our Chairs. bottom'd Six." [6/30/1830] "I went to the meeting house to meeting. Expected the Indians but few of them Come." [3/25/1832] "I went to the Meeting house to meeting the Indians Came their and held the meeting. Moses Stanton their minister preached." [10/7/1832] "Rowland G. Hazard & Isaiah P. Hazard make a Great Business of making Cloths to Send away of Different kinds they have made the Negro goods for Some time they have three or fore to Cut all the time." [2/1839] "They begin to Dig the Seller for the Church house at Wakefield. They found some man's bones, Supposed to be an Indian's." [6/1839] "The Indians from Long Island had a meeting at the B. meetinghouse but an Englishman Preached that Come with them." [8/17/1841] "Some Indians from Penabscot, State of Main, pitched there tents in M. Chappell, Esqr.'s Lot and acted there Manuvers." [5/11/1842] | ||
| Mss 739 Box 2: 1811-1916, Diary | Stillwell Papers | Diary | 1 Nov 1847 | Providence | Diary of Albert G. Stillwell (1820-1887). Entry for November 1, 1847: "Went to see a large Chinese junk this afternoon aboard of which are some Chinese dressed in the original costume. Hair braided and extending nearly to the ground." | ||
| Mss 854 | Stone, Edwin Martin Papers | Letter and Diary | 4 Aug 1848 | On the back of the letter from J. Pierpont, Jr. to Edwin M Stone is a scrawled note that reads "Aug 4th [Saco?] negro child & white do. arm around each others neck &c. is prejudice against color natural or acquired &c." This same observation is recorded in the diary of Edwin Stone in the Aug 4 1848 entry: "Passing through Martin Street today, I saw two children - a negro & a white about four years old, walking very lovingly together each with an arm thrown over the other's neck. The scene suggested the inquiry, 'Is prejudice against color natural or acquired?'" | |||
| Mss 9001-S Box 15 | Sweet, Jeremiah | Will | 2 Jul 1731 | Warwick | His last will and testament names "my negro woman...Sarah" whom he leaves to his niece, Elizabeth Hunt (daughter of Ezekiel). | ||
| MSS 9001-T Throop, Amos | Throop, Amos | Correspondence | 4 Apr 1777 | Rhode Island | Letter to the Council of War, dated April 4, 1777 asking that Doctor Amos Throop be permitted to take into his service a servant Negro man called Tony for one year; signed by Silas Downer. | ||
| Microfilm E445 R4 Part 2 Reels 28-29 Mss 757 Vol. 2, Box 3 | Tillinghast Papers | Accounts | Oct 1799 | Providence | Accounts with Prince Dimmick for pine (p.84). | ||
| Microfilm E445 R4 Part 2 Reels 28-29 Mss 757 Vol. 4, Box 6 | Tillinghast Papers | Accounts | n.d. | Providence | Accounts of payment between Jonathan Tillinghast and Prince "for trucking" (p. 251). | ||
| Mss 755 Vol. 1: Daybook, 1797-1805 | Tillinghast, Thomas Jr. Papers | Day Book | 1797-1805 | East Greenwich | Daybook with accounts of retail sales and medical services, includes several blacks: Eunice Updike, Jack Ayrault, Jack Gardner (mason), Simeon Simmons, Stephen, Samuel Reynolds and wife, Port Hall and child, Ichabod Northop, and Winsor Fry. | ||
| Mss 755 Vol. 2: Ledger, 1795-1825 | Tillinghast, Thomas Jr. Papers | Accounts | 1795-1825 | East Greenwich | Ledger settles account for treatment of Job Sambo (p.35), wife and children (1806-1814), Cato Sweet (mulatto) and wife (1815-1825) and Simon Bliss (mulatto) wife and children (1817). | ||
| Mss 219 Folder 9 | Tiverton Town Records Collection | Resolution | 1784 | Tiverton | Includes resolution by town's Meeting of Freemen to oppose the state manumission act, 1784. | ||
| Mss 966 | Toney, Mark Papers | Records | 1977-1986 | Providence | Records of African-American social activist, Providence. | ||
| Mss 761 Loose Vol. 1: 1815-1842 | Townsend, William H. Papers | Journal | 1815-1842 | Rhode Island; South America; East Asia; China | Diary and memoir of journeys all over the world. He often makes notes on the customs and activities of the local populations in places like French Polynesia, Canton, Malaysia, India, and Ireland. Excerpts: "[In Canton] Wives are not allowed among the ‘upper crust’ to be visible to strangers + are much secluded among themselves. Altho’ the lower order, or middling + under class of female are to be seen [commonly].” [p. 59]; “The day after hauling to the wharf, a gang of colored laborers (slaves) came on board + began to discharge the ballast. . . They appeared to be a happy set, sure enough, when hoisting they pulled to a kind of song + chorus.” [includes description and lyrics] [1815, p. 10]; “I first saw the glorious John Williams cook of the ship Lion, fiddling to a group of darkies in a house on Sand Hill – John Briston, another darky of distinction was a steward + he felt [felled] himself some pumpkins – two, as good in their places, and made duff. They wouldn’t take ‘a little’ some times but its only made them exceedingly good natured.” [4/1817, p. 28]; Island of Santa Christiana [French Polynesia] “The next morning we were surrounded with canoes in which the natives had cocoanuts + bread fruit which they traded for pieces of iron hoop, a coin which they valued highly.” [6/1818, p. 50]; “Women and all, they were nearly naked, but what little coverings they had was about their loins.” [6/1818, p. 50]; In Canton visited a harem: “I had not been in the room but a few seconds before a bevy of wives + children come rushing in as fast as they (the women) could hobble, and twas soon manifest to me, that I was the greater curiosity – they handled me – felt me – made me eat some of the cake that had been brought in, and drink till I got tired of it.” [p. 59]; “Some of the wives were advanced in years – Two of them young and rather pretty in face – of those one had with her a nursing babe – all had small feet.” [Vol. 1, p. 59]; “Reached the last stopping place on the route from the sea to Indian Ocean (Dec. 27) on shore there happened to be a wedding being done up + the natives (Malays) being very courteous invited us, as strangers, to witness the ceremony + the invitation was, as [?] accepted – there were many operations performed + the bride was hidden or her face from on view by a kind of long, white thing – cloth or something thrown over her head. I have forgotten most of the ceremonies but remember processions from + to different houses.” [12/27/1818]; | ||
| Mss 761 Loose Vol. 2: 1843-1861 | Townsend, William H. Papers | Journal | 1843-1861 | Rhode Island; South America; East Asia; China | "The Malays are a good natured set so as far as we could see - great beggars - somewhat lousey + eat thin food with their fingers out of baskets made for the purpose and all dive into one dish - sitting on their haunches on deck." [7/30/1848]; "The Hindu people male and female are very partial to ornaments, such as armlets, anklets, whistles, earrings, finger rings ornaments also stuck thro the upper part of the ear + the women in addition to these, wear a pendant of some kind thro the nose + which hangs dangling about the mouth, looking unseemly enough." [9/14/1848]; description of ceremony upon leaving India [9/21/1848]; "Our Chinese passengers are a quiet set enough - but infinitely superior to the Malays we took to Bombay." [10/21/1848]; "The feeling of superiority of whites over blacks + equally of blacks with whites showed itself on occasion." [7/1849]; In Cork, Ireland "The ship was visited daily by very many citizens of Cork + the country grands + was amused to see them court the attention of our Negro waiters pass us by + shake hands with [1/25/1851]; In Key West: “Went to one of the colored kind [of churches] there’s a church where the negroes assemble.” [11/27/1859]; “The ‘Water Witch’ US Steamer we left here was gone + on a cruise for slaves.” [12/10/1859] | ||
| Mss 9001-T Loose Vol. | Trader's Book: Commerce | Trader's Book | 1809 | Brazil | This mysterious volume contains fascinating commentary on trade in Europe, Asia and South America. It was apparently compiled by a veteran supercargo and is full of details about market conditions, regional trading practices and diplomatic pitfalls. There are sample lists of cargoes that could be expected to trade well in the various ports, as well as tables of prices current. Ex: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil November 1809 p.100 "Slaves for Men or Women, are valued at 400 to 700 rs. pair & pay 24 per% is from 12 to 21 Cents a pair"; Bahia, Brazil June 1809 p.168 "The principal trade however of Bahia, appears to be the African Slave Trade, at this moment, as there are not less than 9000 new Slaves annually imported into that place..." | ||
| Mss 762 Box: Truman Legal Papers: Cases (Baptist Meeting vs. Brown) | Truman, Nathan H. Papers | Case File | 1876 | Rhode Island | Includes case file for "Baptist Church vs. Brown," in which the Congdon Street Baptist Church attempted to have the noted author William J. Brown stripped of his power as a trustee, for executing an improper deed and other offenses. The file consists mostly of legal notes, abstracts from documents, and a few original documents. The date of the case appears to be 1876, although some transcribed documents are dated as early as 1844. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 25 Mar 1836, 1853 | Providence | Seamen's protection issued in March 25, 1836 for mulatto Jacob Williams, age 17 and in 1853 issue protection for Jacob Holden, age 35 born in Providence | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 4, Folder Seaman's Protections, 1809 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 1809 | Bristol | Primus Clark certifies the birth of Galampies Leonard on November 5, 1786 in Dighton, MA | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Abstract of Protections | Jun 1842 | Providence | Identifies John H. Howland born 1827 "yellow" complexion, born in Providence | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 1852 | Identifies George R. Davis born in Charlestown, RI in 1811 | |||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 1836 | Marcus D'Wolf born in Charlestown on September 8, 1820, sworn by Moses Arnold | |||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 6 Jun 1845 | Newport | Identifies John B. Franklin, Jr. born 1831 in Newport protection issued. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 B2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 31 Jul 1804 | Bristol | List of Schooner Betsey identifies Henry Buckley of Bristol, R.I. "a black man"; William Johnson of Bristol, R.I. "black", born in New York of French nationality. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 1804 | Bristol | Return of brigantine Jane identifies John Barney, negro born Cape Verde 1776, resident of Bristol as a crew member | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 B2, Folder Crew Lists, ret., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 27 July 1804 | Bristol/Warren | Return of Brig Jane, identifies a seaman named John Barney but records no further information. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 25 Sep 1799 | Rehoboth, MA | Seamen's protectorate for David Kennedy born in Rehoboth, age 19 | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 1844 | South Kingston | James Hazard, born in South Kingston born in August 10, 1822, approximately 5'7 1/2'' missing "great toe of left foot" | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Seamen's Protection | 6 Jan 1853 | Warwick | Abstract of Protections, identifies Thomas Ponfit? (Profit?) born 1830 | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 28 Jan 1804 | Warwick | List for ship Fame, voyage to London, includes Prince Vaughn (40), black; Samuel Lippitt, (20), black. Ship returned to Providence 14 July 1804. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Seaman's Protections, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Certificate | 1804 | Bristol | Jemima Gorham of Bristol certifies the birth of Primus Clark of Bristol on approximately May 10, 1781, is 5'5'' and marked with small pox scars | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 23 July 1804 | Warren | Crew list for Sloop Amy bound for Havana; includes Jack Richmond of Dighton, black & Primus Henry of Swanzey, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 10 Aug 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for ship Juno bound for the North west coast under John D'Wolf, includes Providence residents born in Stonington, Conn., James Wheeler (age 21) "yellow", and Jason Hanson (age 26) "black". | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 15 June 1804 | Dighton | Crew list for Brig Argus bound for Havana, includes Isaac Head (30) of & born Dighton, Mass, a black man; Caleb Richmond (14) of & born Dighton, Mass, black boy; Charles Richmond (16) of & born Dighton, Mass, black boy; Isaac Richmond (24) of & born Dighton, Mass, black man; Simeon Wheeler (14) of & born Dighton, Mass, black boy; James Canloe (17) of & born Rio Pongo, nationality - Africa Windward Coast, a black man; John Zallow (20) of & born Rio Pongo, nationality - Africa Windward Coast, a black man, marked with small pox. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 19 June 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Brig Nancy bound for Cape de Verd Islands, includes Jacob Lewis (17) of Bristol, a black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 14 July 1804 | Warren | Crew list for Schooner Hope bound for Cape de Verd Islands, includes Jenk [Hit] of Warren, black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 16 July 1804 | Fall River | Crew list for Schooner Antelope bound for Havana, includes Jacob Shearman of Barrington, born Swansey, black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 21 July 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Brig Nancy bound for Havana, includes James Anderson, a blackman; Frank Seaman of Bristol, born Fencriffe, nationality - Portuguese. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 30 Aug 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Schooner Mary bound for Africa, includes James Conloe, born Rio Pango, nationality - African, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 9 Aug 1804 | Dighton | Crew list for Brig Hiram bound for Havana, includes John Smith (19) born & of Baltimore, mulato. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 28 Mar 1804 | Fall River | Crew list for Brig [Hermlin Courtney/Herculus Courting] bound for Havana, includes Prime Perry (33) born & of Tiverton, black; William Read (21) born & of Tiverton, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 14 Jan 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Sloop Three Sisters bound for Havana, includes Ceasr Miller (22) born & of Warren, black with black hair. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 19 Apr 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Sloop Nancy bound for Havana, includes Amos Warner, a black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 12 Apr 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Schooner Anenora bound for Havana, includes Isaac Gardner (26) of Warren, born Swanzey, black man with curled hair; Charles Butler (21) of Bristol, born Philadelphia, black - well favor'd. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 2 May 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Schooner Betsey bound for Havana, includes James Castle (34) of Bristol, born Massachusetts, a black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 18 June 1804 | Barrington | Crew list for Sloop Sally bound for Turks Island, includes Pero Allen (26), born & of Barrington, a black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 5 June 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Brig Minerva bound for Antwerp, includes Valentine D'Andrie (24), of Bristol, born Portugal (Portuguese); John Baptis (23) of Bristol, birth unknown, black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 5 May 1804 | Warren | Crew list for Sloop Sally bound for Havana, includes Ceasar [Tanna] of Bristol, born Newport, black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 28 Jan 1804 | Providence | Crew list for Ship Fame bound for London, includes Prince Vaughn (40) of Providence, born North Kingston, black complexion; Samuel Lippitt (20), born Warwick, black complexion. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 9 Aug 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Ship Charlotte bound for Africa, includes David Otterbridge (21) born & of Providence, yellow; Samuel Lippitt (19) born & of Providence, black; James Taylor (21) born & of Providence, very black; Peter Lippitt (22) of Providence, born Attleboro, Mass., yellow; Charles Harrison (32) born & of Tiverton, black; Robin Carr (29) born & of Tiverton, black; Benjamin Slocum (16) born & of Tiverton, yellow. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, return, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 7 Aug 1804 | Somerset | Crew list for Brig Sally bound for Havana, includes James Howland (17) of Bristol, born Tiverton, black; Jersey Truck (18) of Warren, born Swanzey, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, return, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 2 May 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Schooner Betsey bound for Havana, includes James Castle (34) of Bristol, born Massachusetts, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, return, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 16 July 1804 | Fall River | Crew list for Schooner Antelope bound for Havana, includes Jacob Shearman of Barrington, born Swanzey, black man. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, return, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 14 Jan 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Sloop Three Sisters bound for Havana, includes Ceasar Miller (22) born & of Warren, black complexion. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, return, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 31 Dec 1803 | Bristol | Crew list for Brig Stork bound for Havana, includes Tobey Smith (20) born & of Tiverton, brown or mulatto complexion. Brig returned 20 April 1804. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 2, Folder Crew Lists, return, 1804 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 5 Dec 1804 | Bristol | Crew list for Brig Three Sisters bound for Africa, includes James Howland (17) born & of Tiverton, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | Jul 1831 | Warren | List of Whale ship Benjamin Rush is Mary Ann Drogly (15), of Warren, a mulatto, born in Mexico. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 7, Folder Crew Lists, ret., 1819 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 15 Jun 1819 | Bristol | Crew list of Brig Friendship identifies John D'Wolf (24), born in Africa, resident of Bristol, black; James Tanner (23), resident of Bristol, black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 7, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1819 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | Feb 1819 | Bristol | Crew list of Brig Nancy bound for Havana, includes James [Carth] (34) of Bristol, R.I., born Massachusetts, black, black hair. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2, Box 7, Folder Crew Lists, dep., 1819 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Crew List | 30 Dec 1819 | Bristol | Crew list of Brig Frances bound for Havana, includes Noah Howland (52) of Bristol, R.I., born Tiverton, R.I., black. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 2 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Bristol/Warren | Abstract of Protections | 25 Nov 1854 | Barrington | Abstract includes Oliver Allen, black, from Barrington | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 12 Apr 1808 | Newport | Protectorate for Aaron James age 36 from Newport | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 17 Sep 1803 | Richmond | Seamen's protectorate lists George Larkin, born in Richmond, age 24 | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 1789-19-- | Rhode Island | Licensing of seamen on ships. Lists date of certificate, number, name of seaman, age, physical description, place of birth and means by which citizenship was acquired. Many African-Americans listed. | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 1 Nov 1837 | South Kingston | Edward Johnson age 31, born in South Kingston is registered in the Seamen's Protectorate | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 27 Oct 1801 | East Greenwich | Register of Benjamin Lymas, age 18 of East Greenwich | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 17 Dec 1799 | East Greenwich | Register of Walter Lippitt, age 16 of Greenwich | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1, Vol. 1, page 35 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 1787 | North Providence | Lists Thomas Jacobs, born in North Providence in 1787 | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1, Series 13, Subseries A, Box 6, Folder 136 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Crew List | 1826-1829 | Providence | Lists show many names of blacks | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Seamen's Protection | 1796-1849 | Warwick | Seaman's protectorates these men born in Warwick: Andrew Lipptt, age 18 (Dec. 7, 1796), Affrica Lipptt (mulatto), age 19 (Nov. 30, 1803, July 19, 1802), Cesar Lippitt, age 18 (January 2, 1800), Seasar Lippitt, age 20 (May 30, 1803), Caesar Lippitt, age 23 (Dec. 25, 1805) age 33 (November 25, 1817), George Lippitt, age l5 (March 17, 1819), age 2l (April 2l, 1835), George G. Lippitt, age 29 (March 17, 1827), Jeremiah Lippitt, age 17 (May 18, 1807), age 19 (October 13, 1827), age 35 (January 9, 1845-listed birth in Providence), Joseph Lippitt, age l4 (November 20, 1800), Joseph Lippitt, age 18 (May 30, 1803), age 26 (November 28m, 1825), Joseph W. Lippitt, age 27 (December 19, 1849), Juba Lippitt, age 16 (June 16, 1804), Samuel Lippitt, age 16 (November 19, 1800), age 20 (December 9, 1817), Simon Lippitt, age 24 (June l, 1820), Stephen Lippitt, age 16, (April 2l, 1835) | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Accounts | Jun 1836 | Providence | Accounts and vouchers of the collector show a payment to Scipio Brenton for washing windows and cleaning rooms | ||
| Mss 28 sg 1, Series 2, Vol. 4 | U.S. Custom House Papers, Providence | Records | 1822-1827 | Providence | Entries and clearances list of ships coming into and leaving the port of Providence. Starting in 1822 notations for slaves appear in the left hand column of the listing. They are apparently noting when slaves are on board the vessel. Examples include: July 15, 1822 Ship Rising States, Captain Pearce from Savannah; July 22, 1822 Brig James Monroe, Captain Rhodes from Charleston; June 5, 1826 Sloop Young James, Captain Hall from Savannah; June 4, 1827 Ship Rising States, Captain Pearce from Savannah; July 28, 1827 Ship Rising States, Captain Pearce from Savannah | ||
| Mss 770 Box 1, p.44 | Updike Papers | Obituary | c. 1815 | North Kingstown | Wilkins Updike's obituary of Sylvia Torry, an African woman who died at the age of 115 | ||
| Mss 770 Box 1, p.13 | Updike Papers | Notes/Statement | c.1780, 1843 | North Kingstown | Notes of William Kenyon's Reminiscences- about Indian history, c. 1780; statement made by Mr. Kenyon to Wilkins Updike, 1842 | ||
| Mss 770 Box 1, p.18 | Updike Papers | Notes | c.1728-1731 | North Kingstown | Notes on Smibert & Dean Berkeley, Smibert was a portrait painter who accompanied Dean Berkeley. He thought that the Narragansett Indians were the same people as the Siberian Tartars. | ||
| Mss 770 Box 2, p.57 | Updike Papers | Narrative | 17 Nov 1677 | North Kingstown | Roger Williams' answer to the declaration of William Harris "before the court of commissioners Nov 17, 1677…copies from the Harris papers lent me." - accuses Roger Williams of mishandling lands in & around Providence. Williams lists the reasons why he was especially suited to deal with the Indians over land, for example: "God was pleased to give me a painful patient spirit to lodge with them in their filthy smoky holes...to gain their tongue." | ||
| Mss 770 Box 2, p. 58 | Updike Papers | Article | 30 July 1789 | North Kingstown | From the "United States Chronicle", presented at Providence - account by Solomon Drown of the affairs of the Ohio Company, and generally about the Ohio & Muskingum country, and the Indians, a note of the name Muskingum. | ||
| Mss 770 Box 2, p.76 | Updike Papers | Notes | n.d. | North Kingstown | Note on Richard Smith: apparently extracted from "Present State of Indians in New England", by Drake, pp.30-31; events of the fall and winter of 1675; dealings with Indians. | ||
| Mss 770 Box 4: Papers, 1673-1804, p. 98 | Updike Papers | Tax List | 14 Jul 1798 | North Kingstown | R.I. Tax List, copy made, 2 Aug 1800: identifies "Heirs of Dominy Smith (negro)", James Prinson, Jack Phillips, and Fortune Congdon. | ||
| Mss 770 Box 4: Papers, 1673-1804, p. 90 | Updike Papers | Plat Map | 30 Dec 1795 | Town Unknown | Plat map of the line between the land of Nathan Kinyon and the "Indian Cedar Swamp", presumably in Charlestown, prepared by Robert Stanton, and marked on the reverse "Plat for Indian Counsel." | ||
| Mss 770 Box 14, Wills and Documents, 1664-1867, p.15 | Updike Papers | Inventory | 1737 | North Kingstown | "An Inventory of the Personal Estate of Daniel Updike Esq. late of North Kingstown Deceased taken and apprised by us the Subscribers the 1st Day of June A.D. 1757." At the top of the third page starts the listing of the negros he owned and their value in pounds. "Nathaniel valued at nothing, Chance - 300, Moses - 600, Joseph - 600, Dimas - 600, Newport - 500, Dublin - 600, Mingo - 450, Claro - 400, James - 400, Casar - 200, Domini at nothing, Paul 2 years old - 100, Prince - 50, Sue - 400, Lille and Child - 500, Bridget - 250, Robie 2 1/2 years old - 100." | ||
| Mss 769 | Utley, Leander Papers | Births | 1819-1851 | Providence | Physician's record notes births of Henry Speeder, Peggy Carr, Samuel Shoemake. There may be others throughout the book. These three are noted on the first page of the book under 1820. | ||
| Mss 772 Folders: 14th Regiment Correspondence & Civil War Misc. | Viall, Nelson Papers | Records | c. 1861-1865 | Records of Lt. Colonel of black 14th R.I. Volunteer Heavy Artillery (Colored) in the Civil War. Includes commissions and correspondence re: attempts to get pay that was owed to the regiment. | |||
| Mss 9001-W Box 1 | Walker, William | Receipt | 1819-1851 | Newport | Note to Peleg Brown for "a negro man named Pompy." | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 1 | Wall, Samuel | Census | May 1777 | Coventry | Account book records his military census including the names of William Sharp, Finneas Curvin, William Kirk, and James Fenner, Indian. | ||
| Mss 907 | Walling, Lewis Metcalf Papers | Records | 1924-1995 | Records of diplomat who served extensively in Cambodia, Guatemala and several African nations. | |||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 38: SWI July - Oct 1774 Correspondence | Ward Family Papers | Correspondence | 9 Sep 1774 | Newport | Samuel Ward writes to his children from Philadelphia, "Cajoe had some Complaints yesterday like the Small Pox but he is much better this day that We think it was only a cold or Fatigue." | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 46: SWI Deeds, Agreements 1755-1776 | Ward Family Papers | Inventory | 26 Oct 1767 | Newport | Inventory of Mary Ward estate which names "a negro man named Cudjoe" and Marcy who is "very old and must be maintained out of the estate." | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 46: SWI Deeds, Agreements 1755-1776 | Ward Family Papers | Deed | 14 Jan 1768 | Newport | Deed for Cudjo to Samuel Ward of Westerly from Isabel Marchand of Newport. | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 46: SWI Deeds, Agreements 1755-1776 | Ward Family Papers | Indenture | 30 Dec 1762 | Newport | Between Gov. Samuel Ward and Abigail an Indian woman, late of New Shoreham in said county, spinster, and Jack her son an infant- binding Jack as apprentice to Samuel Ward for 10 years. | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 46: SWI Deeds, Agreements 1755-1776 | Ward Family Papers | Bill of Sale | 1771 | Newport | Sale of Philis (a Negro woman slave named Philis aged about thirty three years) from Elizabeth Babcock of Hopkinton to Samuel Ward of Westerly. | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 49: SWI Financial Papers 1744-1775 | Ward Family Papers | Receipt | 20 May 1745 | Newport | Rec'd of Samuel Ward, debt due from his Indian Fellow Jack Sawness, to Elisha Reynolds. | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 51: SWI Ledger (indexed), 1753-1763 | Ward Family Papers | Account book | 1753-1763 | Westerly | Records include accounts with Sam Hilli Negroe p14; molatto James p14; Mary Sock p 22; Annon Negroe p.24; Hannah Paul Indian p25; Negroe Will Jr p35; Ambrose (a Molatto) p58; Jehu (Negroe Will's son) p63; Jonathan (son of Negroe Will) p92; Dick (a mulatto of Block Island) p106; Indian Sock p120; Negroe Will p121; William Smith Negroe p130; Tom (Mr. Littlefield's Negro) p144; Jehu p181; Jack (an Indian) p210; Jeranto a Negro man p231; Sam (an Indian) p236; William Sachem p326 | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Box 1, Folder 53: SWI Miscellaneous | Ward Family Papers | Census | 1774 | Rhode Island | Census of the state of Rhode Island. Indicates a total of 54435 whites, 3761 blacks and 1482 Indians. | ||
| Mss 776 Series 4, Loose Vol. 1, Ledger, 1763-1767 | Ward Family Papers | Account Book | 1763-1767 | Newport | Accounts of Samuel Ward (1725-1776) include: Sam Brownell p58; Betty p81; Thomas Ninnegratt p131; and Jack p220 | ||
| Mss 776 Series 7, Box 3, Folder 40: Loose Papers, 1734-1760 | Ward Family Papers | Indenture | 1740 | Westerly | Thomas Ward (1711-1760) contains: indenture for "Indian man & Indian woman of Westerly" witnessed by Thomas Ward | ||
| Mss 778 Item # 1636 | Warner Papers | Testimony | Nov 1849 | Testimony of William Cranston, November 1849, regarding Revolutionary War. Reads in part: "Jeremy Hazard's negro man Will whipped 100 lashes because he would not say he was sent by his master to give information to the British. It was just after the mutiny a few days." | |||
| Mss 159 | Warren Insurance Company Records | Records | 1800-1840 | Warren | These records include correspondence, claims and other records on slave ships insured by a firm founded in 1800. | ||
| Mss 1055 Folder 5: Anthony Low | Warwick Historical Society Deposit | Will | 1746 | Warwick | Anthony Low of Warwick, Will: he names Newport, Peg, Bristol, Fortune, Prince and Patience and leaves them to various family members. Will: "I give and bequeath unto Mary my beloved wife...the use of all my negros during her natural life." "To my son John Low...I do also give after my wifes decease my negroman named Newport and my negro woman named Peg if they or either of them shall be living after my wifes decease"; to son Stephen Low "after my wifes decease my negro boy name Bristol if he shall be living after my wifes decease"; "I give and bequesth unto my sons John Low and Stephen Low...after my wifes decease my two negro boys vis by name Fortune and Prince if they or either of them should be then living"; "I give and bequeth to my beloved daughter Christan Carpenter...after my wifes decease my negro girl named Patience if she shall be then living." | ||
| Mss 221 Series 1: Meeting Records, Subseries 1: Early Records Box 1, Vol. 3 | Warwick Town Records Collection | Will | 1726 | Newport | "Copies of Records in Warwick with Some Original Deeds," In a copy of the will of Samuel Cranston, Newport, Cranston divides "his negros" Saul, Kate, Bridgett, Francisco, Tony and Flora leaving them to various family members. | ||
| Mss 221 Series 1, Subseries 2: Town Council Records Box 1, Vol. 4, 5, 6 | Warwick Town Records Collection | Town Council Meetings | 1759-1798 | Warwick | Bound volumes I (4), II (5), III (6), Blacks and Indians are referenced throughout the proceedings often appearing before the council being indentured into apprenticeships. A partial list includes: Violet, daughter of Julius (I:5) and Jacob Trucks daughter Tim, son of Indian Beth (I:43) Caleb West (I:65) Joseph Cheese, Indian (I:65) Sarah Gardner, an Indian squaw (I:67) Africa (I:68) Adam (I:74) Pero Cheese, son of Bark (II:23) Thomas Cheese, son of Betham (II: 87-88) Sampson Spywood (II:321) Solon, son of Mary Carder (III:124) David Spencer, son of Sarah Spenser alias Sambo, blackwoman (III:331) |
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| Mss 230 Box 1, Folder 6: Jail Book, 1818-1823 | Washington County Records Collection | Jail Book | 1818-1823 | Washington (Kings) County | Blacks committed to the jail include Sharper Bours (July 12, 1819), Ceaser Updike (October l5, 1819) and Cezar Robinson (July 3, 1820) among others. | ||
| *Mss 9001-W | Waterman, Capt. John | List of Rateable Estate | 24 Sep 1779 | Warwick | Lists 5 unnamed slaves as part of his estate. | ||
| Mss 9001-W John Waterman Jr. (unidentified) Day Book, 1801 | Waterman, John Jr. | Account Book | 19 Feb 1801 | Warwick | Includes daybook accounts with Amos Budlong, Pero Cheese, Ruben Roberts, Boston Talbury, Sam Lockwood, and others. | ||
| Mss 9001-W | Waterman, Prince | Papers | 1792-1797 | Warwick | Lease agreement with Sarah Barton, 1792. Justice of the Peace warrant for Prince Waterman and John Waterman, Jr. concerning a suit by Sarah Barton against the two men, 1793. Deed for a house and land from John Waterman, Jr., 1797. | ||
| Microfilm JX 5241 W32 Mss 789 | Waterman, Richard Family Papers | Transcripts | 1779 | Providence | Transcripts of the logs contain a 9/1779 crew list from the sloop Providence including two blacks, Pompey Gardner, cook and Primus Green, seaman. | ||
| Microfilm JX 5241 W32 Mss 789 Box 1, Folder 22a | Waterman, Richard Family Papers | Memorandum Book | 1780 | Providence | Contains accounts as physician with "Sampson Indian" and "Margaret Indian" for medical care, pages 75 & 83 | ||
| Mss 9001-W Loose vol. | Waterman, William | Account Book | 1771-1850 | Warwick | Account book entries include Cato Sweet. | ||
| Mss 868 Box 2, Folder 22: Travel Diary, 3/1894 Beaufort, SC | Watson Family Papers | Diary | 1894 | South Carolina | Diary of Cora Stewart Watson, a northern white woman doing Red Cross relief work in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1894. The following are extracts. Travels through coastal South Carolina: "Only once on the way did I see anything that looked like a white settlement, and that at one of the phosphate mines. [3/12/1894, p. 8] Arrived at Mrs. Mather's School in Beaufort, where her mother taught. The school also was involved in relief work for blacks. It was apparently the Yankee author's first visit to the south, which she found unsettling. "Out of any [window] you would look, nothing but niggers could be seen - lean niggers, fat niggers, tawny niggers, brawny niggers, black niggers, brown niggers and yellow niggers - before the day was done I should think there were three hundred or more here for rations and clothes." [3/12/1894, page 13] Detailed accounts of starvation and destitution heard from relief workers [page 15]. "It seems to me the white people in the south do not take a sense of this suffering or they would do more but I suppose they too lost a great deal. . . .. . .There must have been four hundred people here today from every place within a radius of thirty miles. Just think of walking even twenty miles for four quarts of grits and a few pieces of clothes." [p.15] At the school, "quite a new experience for me to have these twenty six colored girls about me and to feel that they look to me as an example." [p.16] Description of the old slave pen in town: "it is built of tabby or cement and oyster shells and so stands as to form the wall on two sides of the yard. The windows are simply holes in the wall fitted with narrow slats to admit as little light and air as possible. And I suppose this is where the poor slaves had to spend the night before they were sold." [p.18] "Little Sarah has been combing my hair and as she twisting it she call to me 'look in de glass Miss Cora see de long cow tail.' She is a perfect little witch and if I was rich and had a place I would take her north." [3/16/1894] There is much more to be found on race relations in this diary. | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 4 | Watson, Jeffrey | Diary | South Kingstown? | In back of diary, records what appears to be births and deaths of his slaves, as follows: "Jack was born august 1748 Tobe was born now dead Silve was born now dead Siboa was born now dead Choe was born (Dyed april 1780) 1756 Trimus was born February 1758" |
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| Mss 9001-W Box 4 | Watson, John | Deed | 26 Feb 1737 | South Kingston | Deed from John Waterman to his daughter, Dorcas Gardner for "negro woman Bess." | ||
| Mss 799 Loose Vol. 5: Samuel Wetmore Ledger, 1813-1822 | Wetmore, Samuel Records | Accounts | 1813-1822 | Middletown, CT | Ledger includes accounts with Cuff Boston, Thomas Lewis, Thomas Negro, Ockroa, Jr., Haniball Scipio, John Stanton, and possibly other black men. | ||
| Mss 155 Box 1, Folder 6 | Whaling Company of East Greenwich Papers | Papers | 1806-1808 | East Greenwich | The names of Ezekiel Pompey and Ceasar Howard appear throughout the papers for the ship Hudson including in crew lists, shipping papers and accounts. | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 9 | Wheeler, Bennett H. | Journal | 1806 (copied) | "A Journal of the most particular Occurrences of the Life of Bennett Wheeler, Esq. September 20, 1776: mentions his gratitude to the old black woman Gow, who since married a black man in Rehoboth named Christmas. Comments on the equality of black and white men. | |||
| Mss 9001-W Box 9, Folder 4: William Crawford Estate | Whipple, Joseph | Inventory | 5 Aug 1720 | Providence | Inventory of the estate of William Crawford lists "3 negros a man a woman and a boy" and "an Indian girl's time." | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 9 | Whipple, Oliver | Correspondence | 3 Nov 1777 | Portsmouth | Letter from Oliver Whipple to Major Samuel White concerns John Nelson's slave Primus. "...Mr. Nelson told him, if said Primus cou'd get enough to pay him, he shou'd be free; but avarice has got so strong Possession of Mr. Nelson that I fear he will violate his Word with the said Primus, & turn his promised freedom into dispairing Slavery." | ||
| Microfilm E 445 .R4 Part 2, Reed 12 Mss 9001-W Box 9 | Whitting, Nathaniel B. and Roby | Records | 1773, 1774 | Folder 1: includes several documents from a slaving voyage along the coast of Africa in 1773 and 1774, including an agreement with a local governor to deliver slaves, accounts with several merchants, and a list of slaves taken. These serve as unusually explicit descriptions of slaving voyages. Whitting sailed as a first mate on the journey and became master after the death of Captain Thomas Rogers. Folder 2: a file on difficulties with a young slave named Fantee in 1783. Fantee was leased to Edward Jones of Providence, did not work to Jones' satisfaction, was accused repeatedly of stealing, escaped, was recaptured, was imprisoned and then returned to the widow Roby Whitting. She immediately entrusted him with Captain Isaac Gorham to sell as a field hand in the West Indies. On the journey, however, Gorham's ship was captured by a British war ship, and Fantee was confiscated as contraband. |
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| Mss 9001-W Box 13, Folder 2: Misc. Papers | Wickes, John | Inventory | 21 Jan 1741/2 | Warwick | Inventory purchased from Wickes' estate includes Fillip, Peggy, Saul, a child, and an Indian man named Tom. | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 13 | Wickes, Sarah | Inventory | 31 Jan 1753 | Warwick | Inventory includes "one Neagro woman named Judah" (p.2). | ||
| Mss 804 Vol. 1 Ledger, 1809-1818 | Wilbour, Peleg Account Books | Ledger | 1809-1813 | Warwick | Accounts include Pero Cheese (p. 63) and Mary Vaughn (p.79). | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 15 | Willett, Andrew | Inventory | 22 Apr 1712 | North Kingston | Inventory of the estate of Capt. Andrew Willett includes unnamed black women and men. | ||
| Mss 808 Folder 45 | Williams, Roger Collection | Sale | 16 Aug 1676 | Providence | Sale of Indian Captives following King Philips War | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 16 | Wire, Tone | Warrant | 1729-1730 | Providence | Warrant for the arrest of Tone Wire for breach of promise to Danas Negro of Providence. | ||
| Mss 9001-W Box 16 | Wodel, William Jr. | Examination | n.d. | Tiverton | Appointment of Oliver Cook and William Wodel by the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Tiverton "to goe to Joseph Wodel a negro man & Inquire into his poor Case & Condition...." | ||
| *Mss 816 | Woods, Alva Family Papers | Correspondence | 1870 | Correspondence from Anne Brown Francis Woods to her daughter Abby Francis Woods Abbott regarding a love affair between a white woman and a colored servant named William. | |||
| Mss 816 Series 1: Correspondence, Box 2, Folder 178: Almira Woods to Alva Woods - 21 June 1830 | Woods, Alva Family Papers | Diary | 1830 | Kentucky and Alabama | Diary of "Journey from Lexington Ky (May 3, 1830) and arriving Boston (1st week of June 1830) attached to a letter written from Almira to Alva Woods. Includes: anecdotes about Indians [5/4/1830]; "kind interference of a blacky" [1830]; | ||
| Mss 816 Series 1: Correspondence, Box 10, Folder 890: E.B. Teague to Alva Woods - 31 Oct 1870 | Woods, Alva Family Papers | Correspondence | 31 Oct 1870 | E.B. Teague to Alva woods discussing the religious and political situation of the southern Negroes. | |||
| Mss 816 Series 3: Diaries, Box 11 Folder 4: Almira M. Woods | Woods, Alva Family Papers | Diary | 1831 | Kentucky and Alabama | Diary, Lexington KY to Tuscaloosa, AL: 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?]. | ||
| Mss 816 Series 3: Diaries, Box 11 Folder 4: Almira M. Woods | Woods, Alva Family Papers | Diary | 1833 | Kentucky and Alabama | Diary, Trip through Northern Alabama: 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. | ||
| Mss 1000 Box 1 | WPRI-TV Records | License Renewal | 1969 | Providence | Application packet with an eight-page report on "Station Activities that Pertain to the Needs and Interests of Black Citizens" as well as other documentation of community involvement | ||