SLAVERY IN PENNSYLVANIA 1759 PHILADELPHIA BILL SHOES FOR HIS NEGRO BOY
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:48351293 |
1 pg. manuscript document, approx. 7-7/8" x 4-1/4", dated March 2, 1759 (Philadelphia, Pa.) - a bill from a William Starr, a shoe maker, to James Wharton, for shoes made and repaired for his Slave, his apprentice, his wife, his Maid and "for a Stranger", from Nov. 8, 1758 through Feb. 17, 1759.
James Wharton, (1732-1785), was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Quaker Wharton family. His brother, Thomas Wharton, Jr., (1735-1778), served as the first President of Pennsylvania duri...ng the Revolutionary War, from 1778 until his death at age 43 in 1778.
The bill is Quaker dated, i.e. "11 mo 8 day".
The first entry is for "a pr. of shoes for his Negroe Boy". This was James Wharton's slave - Slavery wasn't abolished in Pennsylvania until an Act of the Legislature in 1780, and even that act only made those Blacks born after the act to be free - if they were born before the Act, they were deemed "Slaves for Life".
Other entries include soling and tapping a pair of shoes for his Apprentice, tapping a pair of shoes for his wife, "2 pr. of shoes & pumps for a stranger", "a pr. of shoes for his Apprentice", "a pr. of shoes for his Maid".
James Wharton wrote at the bottom: "Paid March 3d 1759 to his Brother", indicating he paid the bill in full to William Starr's brother.
A bit ragged at the left edge, not affecting any writing, and a tiny hole not affecting any writing.
A scarce Colonial Pennsylvania document (from a small group of documents related to James Wharton and his brother, Thomas Wharton Jr.).
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.
[OPS]
NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.
James Wharton, (1732-1785), was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Quaker Wharton family. His brother, Thomas Wharton, Jr., (1735-1778), served as the first President of Pennsylvania duri...ng the Revolutionary War, from 1778 until his death at age 43 in 1778.
The bill is Quaker dated, i.e. "11 mo 8 day".
The first entry is for "a pr. of shoes for his Negroe Boy". This was James Wharton's slave - Slavery wasn't abolished in Pennsylvania until an Act of the Legislature in 1780, and even that act only made those Blacks born after the act to be free - if they were born before the Act, they were deemed "Slaves for Life".
Other entries include soling and tapping a pair of shoes for his Apprentice, tapping a pair of shoes for his wife, "2 pr. of shoes & pumps for a stranger", "a pr. of shoes for his Apprentice", "a pr. of shoes for his Maid".
James Wharton wrote at the bottom: "Paid March 3d 1759 to his Brother", indicating he paid the bill in full to William Starr's brother.
A bit ragged at the left edge, not affecting any writing, and a tiny hole not affecting any writing.
A scarce Colonial Pennsylvania document (from a small group of documents related to James Wharton and his brother, Thomas Wharton Jr.).
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.
[OPS]
NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.
