2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Scarce set of three documents pertaining to George Harrison, free Negro, includes: Partly-printed Document Signed, 1p. octavo, July 4, 1838, Rockingham County, Virginia, signed by Clerk of Court, and reads “George a Dark Mulatto man, about Twenty Eight years of age five feet 4-1/2 Inches high has a scar above the right eye, and a scar on the left hand between the little finger and the third finger, is very bowed legged, he was emancipated by the Last Will of David Lard deceased...” With wax paper seal. Worn from use, else VG and extremely scarce. This document is accompanied by two other documents which Harrison has attached at verso so that they would stay together, the first is a passport for George Harrison and is signed by nineteen prominent men, and reads “The bearer here of George Harrison (alias George Jake) a free man of Colour is on his way from Harrison burg in the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia where he was raised to Courtland in Alabama to visit his wife who is the slave of Coln. William McMahone formerly of Harrisonburg Va., now a resident near Courtland Alabama. We the undersigned trust that the said George will be permitted to pass without molestation 23rd May, 1840...” a second document attached on verso that reads “To all whom it may Concern, That we the undersigned know the within named boy George Harrison - I have knonw him all the time since the within dates - as having been a free man of Colour he now starts on his way to Texas with Mr. Ed Shackelford & Wm. Cravens & Wm Shardevoyne. Should any accident happent to his friends we hope he may be permitted to pass to or Return from Texas without molestation. Courtland, Ala. April 17, 1854.” Signed by five prominent citizens of Courtland. A fantastic and rare set of three documents pertainign to this free negro and providing him a free pass through these southern Slave states. Scarce.
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