Overseer of the Poor Record, Town of Orange, Rockland County, April 13, 1803

Date

1803

Description

After July 4, 1799 any child born to an enslaved woman in New York State was free but remained the servant of his mother's enslaver until a certain age. Within a year of the child's birth, the enslaver had the right to abandon all claims to the child's service by filing a certificate of abandonment with the town clerk. Abandoned children of enslaved mothers were to be supported at the state's expense by the local overseers of the poor. This warrant authorized payment to the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Orange in Rockland County for the support and maintenance of children born of enslaved woman and legally abandoned by their enslavers in 1803. The document includes a signed statement that the money was received by the overseer.

Type

Written Document

Region

Mid Hudson

Era

Revolution and New Nation

Topic

African Americans, Slavery

Repository

New York State Archives

Source

New York State Archives, New York (State). Comptroller's Office. Payment authorization to treasurer for support and maintenance of children born to slaves. Series B1718-00. Box 1, item 1.

Rights

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