Selling the Enslaved
Bill of sale for Bett, April 13, 1789
Received from William Skinner of Queen Anne’s County the sum of forty pounds common current money (rating dollars at seven shillings and six pence each) in full for the price of a Negro girl named Bett, about thirteen years of age, sold & delivered by me to him. And [I] do hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators & every of them to the said William Skinner, his heirs & assigns, to and for the proper use and behoof of the said William Skinner his heirs and assigns forever against him & his heirs & against all & every other person & persons whatsoever who may claim the said negro girl in any manner of way whatever. Witness my hand this 13th day of April, 1789.
John Skinner
Daniel Ladeschurn (witness)
[spelling and punctuation have been modernized]
John Skinner
Daniel Ladeschurn (witness)
[spelling and punctuation have been modernized]
Among the most chilling items in the Commodore Collection are those that document the sale of enslaved men, women, and children.
This 1789 receipt records the sale of a 13-year-old girl named Bett.
The purchaser, John Skinner, paid 40 pounds to his kinsman, William Skinner of Queen Anne’s County.
Click "Commodore Collection" below to return to the main page or "Continue" to read more about this topic.