Colonial America
Benjamin Lincoln Signed 1755 Bill of Sale for a Negro Servant Boy Named Cornelius
BENJAMIN LINCOLN (1733-1810), American Major General during the Revolutionary War and the First United States Secretary At War. Fine.
June 9, 1755-Dated Rare French and Indian War period, Manuscript Document Bill of Sale Signed by (a young), “Benj. Lincoln” and “Benj. Lincoln, Junr.” as witnesses. This is an extremely rare 1755 Bill of Sale is for a Negro servant boy named Cornelius. Trimmed from a larger document, splits at its folds reinforced with clear tape on both sides, fully readable with age and wear. It reads (with spelling errors included), in part:

“Authority to sell and dispose of this Negro servant boy in manner ofen, & we do hereby promise for our selves, our heirs, Exc., & to warrant & defend this Cornelius his heir & assigns agsint the lawful claims or demans of any person or persons whatsoever to this servant during his natural life. In witness whereof we have hereto set our hands & seal this ninth day of June A.D. Seventeen Hundred & Fifty Five. Signed, Sealed & [illegble], According to Law, Benj’ Lincoln.” -- Also Signed by the Negro servant boy’s purchasers, Samuel & Marcy Stodden. Docket written upon the blank reverse reads: “Stodden Bill of Sale of a Negro Boy 1755”.