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In 1995 I published my first book 'Chains Unbound: Slave Emancipations in Greenwich, Connecticut.' My original intention was for it to be used as an educational resource. This is an online companion site that I've created, especially for those of you utilizing online resources and smartphones. I've also included additional items and news articles not found in the 1995 edition. Jeffrey Bingham Mead, Historian and Author. October 13, 2014.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Emancipation of Jone by Jotham Merritt (1813)

by Jotham Merritt
Volume 17, Page 405
Signed: February 8, 1813
Recorded: February 8, 1813 
    
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss In Greenwich, This may certify that application 
has been made to us the subscribing Authority Justices of the peace in and for Fairfield and
the subscribing Selectmen and and for said town of Greenwich by Jotham Merritt of 
said Greenwich expressing his desire to emancipate his negro woman Jone and accord-
ing to to the Statute Law of this State entitled "an Act in addition to and alteration 
of an act concerning Indian, molatto and negro servants and slaves." We have 
enquired, examined and find the said Jone to be a healthy person between the 
age of twenty five and forty five years of age and have personally examined 
the said Jone who wishes to be made free & emancipated as aforesaid. We therefore 
hereby certify that the said Jone is a proper person to be made free and emancipated 
agreeable to said Statute Law of this State given under our hands and test of office the 8th day of
February 1813.                                                                              Eben. Mead   Justice of peace
.                                                        
                                                                                                      Peter Mead
                                                                                                      Stephen Ferris Junr.    Selectmen          
                   
                                                                 
                                                                   
Know all men by these presents that on receiving the above  certificate I the Sub-
scriber Jotham Merritt of said Greenwich in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut  
Do hereby give, grant, emancipate and make free and set at Liberty the said negro woman
Jone free and clear from me and my heirs and every other person or persons claiming for 
from or under me or them from the date hereof. The said Joan is permitted to go 
for herself and be a slave to no person and to transact her own business. In wit-
ness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in Greenwich the 8th day of February
1813.                                                   
In presence of                                                                              Jotham Merritt    L.S.
Stephen Ferris Junr.
Eben. Mead
                                                                                  Rec'd to record February ye 8th, AD 1813
                                                                                  and recorded by me Jabez Fitch  Register



Emancipation of Morris by Amos Mead and Richard Mead (1802)

Volume 15, Page 392
by Amos Mead and Richard Mead
Signed: November 23, 1802
Recorded: November 23, 1802     

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss In Greenwich 
This may certify that application has been made to us the Subscribing Justices 
of the peace in and for Fairfield County by Amos Mead Esquire and
Richard Mead of said Greenwich expressing their desire to emancipate their negro 
man Morris, and according to to the Statute Law of this State entitled an Act 
in addition to and alteration of an act concerning Indian, Mollato and negro 
servants and slaves. We have enquired, examined and find the said Morris to 
be a healthy person and between the age of twenty five and forty five years of age and 
have personally examined the said Morris who wishes to be made free and
emancipated agreeably to said Statute Law. Given under Our hands and 
test of office the 23d day of November 1802.
.                                                                   Jabez Mead
                                                                                                Justices 
                                                                                                of peace
                                                                    Gilbert Close


Know all men by these presents that on receiving the above certifi-
cate We the Subscribers Amos Mead and Richard Mead of Greenwich 
in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut  Do give, grant, emancipate 
and make free and set at liberty our said negro man Morris from
and after the date hereof free and clear from us and our heirs and every  
other person or persons claiming him for or under us or them and from &
after the date hereof he the said Morris is permitted to go for himself and 
be a slave to no person and to transact his own business. In witness whereof 
we have hereunto set my hands and seals the 23d day of November 1802

Jabez Fitch                                                   Amos Mead    L.S.
                          Witnesses   
Gilbert Close                                                Richard Mead  L.S.  

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