An African in America, 1800
Will of James Sweney, January 15, 1787 (Maryland State Archives)
In the Name of God; Amen. The 15th day of January in the year of our Lord Christ 1787, I, James Sweney of Caroline County and State of Maryland, formerly a resident near Georgetown in Kent County and state aforesaid, being weak in body, but of perfect and sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I recommend it to the Earth, to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner, at the discretion of my executor.
And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form: That is to say, first I leave my Negroes Congo and his wife, Beck, also their son Jo, free people. Also, I give and bequeath unto my Negroes Congo and Beck, all and singular, the five acres of land being part of a tract of land called Chance, and whereon the said Congo and Beck now live, lying and being in Kent County ...
[spelling and punctuation have been modernized]
And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form: That is to say, first I leave my Negroes Congo and his wife, Beck, also their son Jo, free people. Also, I give and bequeath unto my Negroes Congo and Beck, all and singular, the five acres of land being part of a tract of land called Chance, and whereon the said Congo and Beck now live, lying and being in Kent County ...
[spelling and punctuation have been modernized]
This will, found in the Maryland State Archives, reveals that Congo gained his freedom in 1787 upon the death of his master, James Sweney. His wife, Beck, and their son Joe were also set free. Sweney’s motive for liberating the family is not recorded. He also granted them a 5-acre farm in Kent County to use during their lifetime.
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