Document granting freedom to a slave, 1800. Manuscript affidavit in the hand of William Ritchie, clerk of Frederick County Court, Maryland, giving details of the manumitting (grant of freedom) of an enslaved African American man named Argyle, alias Guy Robertson, by Dr. Philip Thomas, on Christmas Day 1799. Dated May 10, 1800. In part:
The State of Maryland and Frederick County, to wit, I William Ritchie, clerk of Frederick County Court...being called upon by a negro man named Argyle alias Guy Robertson for a certificate of Freedom...do hereby certify that Dr. Philip Thomas of Frederick by a certain instrument of writing bearing date on Christmas day 1799 [did] manumit and discharge from slavery the aforesaid negro man named Argyle alias Guy Robertson...and that the negro aforesaid who now appears...is the identical person meant and intended by that name and designation in the manumission aforesaid. And I further certify that the said negro man named Argyle alias Guy Robertson is about forty-five years of age, about five feet nine and an half inches high, light complexion, a scar about the left eye...aforesaid is a free negro and as such ought to be permitted to travel on his lawful business...behaving and demeaning [sic] himself as becomes a free negro.In testimony whereof I have hereto inscribed my name and affixed the seal of Frederick County Court this 10th day of May 1800. [signed] Wm. RITCHIE Clerk Fredrk. County Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereto inscribed my name and affixed the seal of Frederick County Court this 10th day of May 1800. [signed] Wm. RITCHIE Clerk Fredrk. County Court.
Docket panel inscribed: Argyle alias Guy Robertson cert. recorded pa. 10. Written on folded sheet of parchment with light age toning, moderate toning and tears along edges not affecting text, and partial separations at original folds.
Rare, important slavery related document.
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