Records of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Relating to Slaves, 1851-1863.

National Archives Microfilm Publication M433, Roll 3
“Manumission Papers, 1857-1863.”

To all whom it may concern, be it known that I, Abraham Williams of Georgetown in the District of Columbia, for divers good causes and considerations, me thereunto moving, have released from slavery, liberated, manumitted and set free my wife a Negro woman named Harriet about fifty two years of age and able to gain a sufficient livelihood and maintenance, and she the said Harriet I do release to be henceforth free, manumitted and discharged of and from all manner of service and servitude to me, my executors or administrators forever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of August A. D. 1857.

Abraham Williams

Witness
M. N. Cavian
Reldien Ronzee

District of Columbia
County of Washington to wit:

Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid in the District of Columbia personally appeared Abraham Williams and acknowledged the above deed to be his act and deed.

Acknowledged before me this 13th day of August A. D. 1857.

M. N. Cavian, J. P. {seal}

I do hereby agree to let Abraham Williams have his wife & child for two hundred & fifty dollars provided he pays me two hundred dollars in hand & I will give him twelve months to pay the balance given under my hand this 2nd day of June 1855.

G. B. Magruder

We have no claim to the above.
July 27th ’57
T. W. Magruder
H. Magruder

District of Columbia
Washington County to wit:

This is to certify that I Hezekiah Magruder heir of the late George B. Magruder for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars in hand paid to the late George B. Magruder. The receipts whereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained and sold unto Abraham Williams the following named slaves to wit Harriet his wife and Eliza Jane his daughter.

H. Magruder
Witness
T. W. Magruder
Georgetown August 4th, 1857