SUSSEX COUNTY -- "What happened to Sussex County's slaves?" That question was recently posed to local county historian Alex Everitt.

SUSSEX COUNTY -- "What happened to Sussex County's slaves?" That question was recently posed to local county historian Alex Everitt, whose immediate response was: "Well, what happened to Sussex County cows? It wasn't that long ago that the county had more cows than people." Everitt continued: "The slaves did just like the cows. They didn't all leave at once. They left gradually, but some probably passed away." Everitt also suggested that a law passed in 1804 certainly helped reduce the number of slaves in the county.

Let's start at the beginning of slavery in Sussex County. A perusal of "Historical Collections of New Jersey" suggests that "the introduction of slavery into New Jersey was coeval with its settlement." The writer continued: "No preventive measures were adopted for its prohibition within the limits of the province." The authors further explained, although not the initial intent, "an erroneous impression is conveyed that the proprietors were encouraging a direct traffic in slaves."

The reason for this was, as a means of encouraging settlement in New Jersey, the Concessions, dated February 1664-65, offered "to each freeman who would go with Gov. (Philip) Carteret, then soon to embark, or meet him at such place in the province as he might appoint, 150 acres of land for himself, and the same quantity for each able man-servant, and 75 acres for every weaker servant or slave, over 14 years, carried with him or sent."

The act Everitt alluded to was a means of gradual reduction of slavery that was adopted Feb. 15, 1804. This act provided that "every child, born of a slave, within the state, since the 4th of July, 1804, or which shall be thereafter born, shall be free; but shall remain the servant of the owner of the mother, as if it had been bound to service by the overseers of the poor; if a male, until the age of 25; if a female, to the age of 21 years: that the owner shall, with 9 months after the birth of such child, deliver to the clerk of the county, a certificate, subscribed by him, containing the name and in addition of the owner; the name, age and sex of the child, and the name of the mother, which certificate, whether delivered before or after the nine months, must be recorded by the clerk."

The act included a $5 fine if a slave birth was not reported within nine months, and $1 per month afterward; but not to exceed $100.

Everitt then suggested that we start looking at the numbers of the slaves in Sussex County. The 1790 census reflected that there were 439 slaves in the county, which included Warren County until 1824, when Warren County was formed. For some inexplicable reason, the number jumped to 514 in 1800. In 1810, the number of slaves was 478. In the 1820 census, the males and females were broken down. Then, there were 172 males and 206 female slaves, for a total of 378. There were also 259 free male blacks and 214 free female blacks, for a total of 473 free blacks.

By 1830, the census figures reflect that there were only 21 male slaves and 30 female slaves. There were also 206 free black men and 195 free black women, bringing the total of free blacks in the county to 401.

According to Everitt, by 1840, there were 422 free blacks and 47 slaves remaining in the county.

Included among the documents housed in the Sussex County Clerk's Office are documents recording slave births covering the period 1804-1835. It was Warren County resident Virginia Alleman Brown who drew public attention to this document when the results of her research appeared in the May 1979 issue of the New Jersey Genealogical Magazine.

During the 31 years that a record was maintained, over 200 births were recorded. Despite the law requiring the reporting within nine months, a perusal of the registering of the births reflects otherwise. As an example, Everitt Vanauken, on Aug. 5, 1826, recorded the birth of five slaves. The birth dates of the children were listed as Nov. 30, 1812; April 6, 1816; Sept. 14, 1818; April 25, 1821; and Sept. 18, 1822.

A similar example shows that Bowdewine Decker registered six slave births on Nov. 28, 1821, with the birth dates ranging from April 23, 1811, through May 23, 1820. Another instance was John McKinney, who registered a child on July 3, 1825, who had been born on Nov. 4, 1820.

The first birth recorded was registered on Dec. 24, 1804. It was for Peg, a mulatto child who was born on Dec. 8, 1804, to Sal, a slave owned by Charles Rhodes. The last slave birth to be recorded was on May 28, 1835, when Christopher Haggerty registered the birth of Elias Murrow, a black boy born on May 10, 1833, to Hager, a black slave.

As an aside, in many of the births that were recorded, the children are described as mulatto, rather than black, lending credence to the suggestion that many of the slaves were fathered by whites. This might account for the sharp criticism by British historians who asserted that Americans were the only known slave owners who sold their own children.

On a brighter side, the county clerk's office also houses Manumission records. The first manumission recorded was for Charles, who was granted his freedom on Nov. 25, 1778, by Johannis B. Westbrook. The manumissions that appeared in the books date until Jan. 1, 1819, when James Blair, was granted his freedom from John Justin Esq. of Frankford Township. A total of 101 names appear on the list, but as the manumissions were mixed with incorporation records, it is highly possible that some names of the blacks who were freed were not included in the county clerk's list.

In addition to those who gradually gained their freedom by law or manumission, there were those who simply disappeared. In 1976, as part of the Bicentennial, the late Mary Elinor Eppler, a former Sparta Township historian, compiled a booklet, "Slavery in Sussex County, 1797-1836." Included in the book are ads that appeared in the Sussex Register that offer slaves for sale, or a reward for those that ran away.

As an example of a "for sale" ad, one dated Nov. 21, 1814, read: "A Negro Wench. She is healthy, strong and active; about 23 years of age. For the terms of purchase and other particulars, enquire of John H. Hall, Editor of this paper."

Another ad read: "A healthy Wench. About 20 years old and two male children, one three years and the other a year old, are for sale in Frankford Township, Sussex County. The wench understands all kinds of housework, and will be sold either with one or both the children. Enquire of Henry Price. Feb. 14, 1814."

As for runaway ads, there were numerous ones that appeared in the local papers, but never any report that any ever returned or were recovered. An ad that appeared in the Farmers Journal read: "3 Dollars Reward. Ran away from the subscriber, on Wednesday, the 4th instant, a black Negro, named Peet, about 19 years of age, a thick set fellow, had on when he went away a grey flowered jacket -- whoever will take up said negro and return him to the subscriber or confine him in any jail, shall have the above reward & all reasonable charges. PETER UPTEGRAVE. Newton, Oct. 11, 1797."

Another ad read: "One Dollar Reward. Ran away from the subscriber on or about the 21st inst., Bristor Tinus, a black slave, aged about 24 years. He had on when he went away -- a black coat, grey pantaloons, and a swansdown vest, a lead-colored fur hat, and a bundle containing other clothing with him. The above reward, but no other charges, will be paid to any person that will return said slave to the subscriber, who hereby cautions all persons against trusting or harboring him, under the penalty of the law. THOMAS P. HUNT. Green Township, May 31, 1837.

On Jan. 17, 1866, it was reported in the Herald "the House of Assembly (New Jersey) was surprised by the motion of Wm. M. Iliff, of Sussex, to accept the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery throughout the United States. The strangeness of the affair was that the motion should come from Mr. Iliff, who had at a previous session voted against it, with his fellow Democrats. The final vote to ratify the amendment was 42 to 10, eight members being absent. Six Democrats voted in favor, and 10 against, including W.M. Iliff and F.M. Ward, of Sussex. The Senate voted to ratify, the vote being 13 to eight, Senators Martin of Sussex, and Kennedy of Warren, voting nay."

Unfortunately, as Everitt observed, the disappearance of slaves in Sussex County was gradual, but at long last, slavery was officially abolished, not only in Sussex County, but also throughout the nation.

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Jennie Sweetman is the history columnist for the New Jersey Herald. She may be contacted at jenniee@warwick.net.

Alex Everitt may be contacted at 973-383-5463.