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(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.)
“Abraham Duryea . . . is directed to take
into his custody the Blacksmith’s tools late the property of James Luyster, now
gone to the Enemy.”
Single sheet of laid paper, 4
1
/
4
x 8
1
/
2
inches; creased where folded,
some scattered foxing, written on one side only.
Dutchess County, NY, 15 April 1777
[800/1,200]
AN RARE AND UNUSUAL WARRANT FOR THE SEIZURE OF THE TOOLS OF A BLACK SMITH
WHO JOINED THE BRITISH
.
James Luyster was more than likely a slave or an ex-slave of the
Luyster family of Dutchess County, New York. Luyster, it seems decided to accept the British offer of
not just freedom, but a promise of land as well, in return for military service to the Crown. The
Dutchess County (Rombout precinct) tax records for the Luyster family mention every male, Mathias,
Cornelius, Dirck, Garrett and John; but no mention of James. So it is likely that he, like Sojourner
Truth (Isabella Baumfre) was born a slave to the Luyster family and bore their surname. Thousands
of New York State’s slaves (and freemen as well) fled to New York City, a British stronghold. As it
worked out, most blacks who fought with the Loyalists got a rough deal from the Crown. Not only
did the war go badly for them, but they were not treated very well either. Slaves that retreated with the
British to England and her colonies were treated much as they had been before.
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(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) LEE, HENRY.
That Sarah, a Negro wench
now in the possession of Benjamin Thomas to be sold by him. . . at publick sale
at the next court to be held for this county. . .”
Single long folio leaf, written on
both sides, recording the settlement of several cases.
Prince William County, VA, 1778
[600/800]
A leaf from the Magistrates Court of Virginia at Prince William County, recording various cases.
Most interesting is that of Thomas vs Thomas, where the younger Thomas is ordered through arbitra-
tion of several magistrates, Henry Peyton, William Carr and Richard Graham to sell at public
auction “Sarah, a Negro wench,” to settle a debt owed the elder Thomas. The court orders that two
thirds of the money be given to Benjamin Thomas Sr., and the remaining one third, minus the court
costs, to go to the younger Thomas.
8