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Enslaved persons, chained together in a coffle, are paraded through the streets of Washington D.C. on their way to the slave market. Detail from a larger print in the Library of Congress.

A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania

 

Philadelphia Slave Sale Document, 1756

Sale of "Negro Boy Named Henry," June 1, 1756

Private sales of enslaved persons began almost immediately with the beginning of the holding of slaves in Philadelphia. While enslaved Africans could be purchased from slave dealers and brokers at the city wharfs and certain mercantile houses, some people preferred to purchase privately. Enslaved persons might have been publicly advertised by the slaveholder in one of the city's newspapers, publicized on a handbill, or they might have been privately arranged through word-of-mouth.

Purchasers had the advantage, with a private sale, of obtaining information about the personality, work habits and traits of the enslaved person, as opposed to blindly purchasing from a slaver someone advertised as "just imported." By utilizing a standard, pre-printed bill-of-sale, carpenter Jonathan Biles was able to sell the enslaved Henry to Alexander Allaire with just a few strokes of a pen.

Bill of sale for Negro Boy Henry, 1756, Philadelphia

 

Text of document:

KNOW all Men by these Presents, That I Jonathan Biles of Philadelphia house Carpenter for and in consideration of the Sum of thirty pounds Current Money of the Province of Pennsylvania to me in Hand, paid by Alexr Allaire of sd City of Philada whereof I hereby acknowledge the Receipt, and myself therewith fully satisfied, have Bargained, Sold and Delivered unto the said Alexr. Allaire a Certain Negro boy named Henry

To have and to hold the said Negro unto the said Alexr. Allaire his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, to the only proper Use and Behoof of the said Alexr. Allaire his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, for ever. And I the said Jonathan Biles for myself, Executors and Administrators, the said bargained Premises unto the said Alexr. Allaire his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, against all Persons, shall and will Warrant, and for ever Defend, by these Presents. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this ye first Day of June and in the twenty ninth Year of His Majesty's Reign, Annoque Domini, 1756

Sealed and delivered in the Presence of Peter Bard Wm. Clifton
(signed) Jonathan Biles

 
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