Emancipation of Cornelius and Nelly by Jabez Fitch (1796)

Emancipation of Cornelius and Nelly
by Jabez Fitch

Volume 13, Page 653-654

Signed: January 16, 1796

Recorded: March 14, 1796

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss In Greenwich These certify that appli-

cation has been made to us the Subscribers Justices of the peace in and for Fairfield 

County by Jabez Fitch, Esquire of said Greenwich expressing his desire to emancipate and 

make free his negro servant man called Cornelius and his negro servant woman Nelly 

(wife of said Cornelius) And according to the Statute Law of this State in sch case made

and provided we have enquired, examined and find said Cornelius and said Nelly to be

healthy persons and between twenty five and forty five years of age we have examined said 
Cornelius and Nelly who appear desirous of being made free as aforesaid. We do therefore 
hereby certify that the said Cornelius and Nelly are a proper persons to be emancipated and
made free according to said Statute Law. Given under our hands in said Greenwich ye

16th day of January Anno Domini 1796.                                     Amos Mead      
                                                                                                      John Mackay       Justices

                                                                                                                                  of peace
                                                                                                             


Know all men by these presents that on receiving of the above certificate I Jabez Fitch

of Greenwich in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Do hereby give, grant, 

emancipate, make free and set at liberty my negro man called Cornelius and my negro

woman Nelly (wife of said Cornelius)  free and clear from me, my heirs, executors and

 administrators forever and free and clear from any other person of persons claiming by or

hereof they may go for themselves transact their business and be slaves to no person

by virtue of any title given by me or any person by, from or under me as witness my 

hand and seal the 16th day of January Anno Domini 1796.     Jabez Fitch    L.S.

In presence of                                                            

Wm Knapp                  Rec'd to record March ye 14th AD 1796                                                                 
Oliver Ferris                and recorded by me Jabez Fitch  Town Clerk