1836-1846 Slavery-Related Deeds
Recorded May 9th 1836
James H. Cravens & Wife
To Bill of Sale of Negroes
James G. Berry & Others
Know all men by these presents, that we James Cravens and Mary
Cravens of the County of Greene and the State of Illinois for
and in consideration of the sum of Three Hundred Dollars to us
in hand paid at or before the sealing and delivery of these
presents the receipt where of we do hereby acknowledge do
bargain and sell transfer and assign unto the said James G.
Berry, John H. Marman, and John C. Berry their executors,
administrators and assigns a Negro Boy slave called and known by
the name of Jonathan, now about fifteen years of age of a light
complexion about five feet four inches high. Also a Negro woman
Tener about eighteen years of age of a dark complexion – And
also Tener’s child named Margaret about two years old of a light
complexion and all other increase which said Negro woman Tener
may have from and after the signing and sealing of these
presents. All of which said Negroes are at this time in the
State of Kentucky and in the possession of Lewis Grimes.
Together with all our right, title, interest, claim and demand
of in and to the said Negroes above described. To have and to
hold the said Negroes above bargained and sold, or intended so
to be to the said James G. Berry, J. H. Marman, and John C.
Berry their executors, administrators and assigns forever. Sign,
Sealed, Delivered in the presence of us this 7th day of Dec.
1835.
C. D. Hodges
Saml. Smith
James H. Cravens (seal)
Her
Mary (X) Cravens (seal)
Mark
Transcribed 10 Dec 2002 by Chris Sawyer, from Book F, Page 540, Greene County, Illinois, Deed Records, Office of the County Clerk, Carrollton, Illinois
Apr 1842
[On the application of Patsy Kirk]
Patsy Kirk, a woman of color and John, Mary, Mariah and Isabel, her infant children. Have been proved in court to be free. Apr term 1842.
Transcribed 10 Dec 2002 by Shirley A. Aleguas, from Book D, Page 170
Jacob Hart A man of color, from Tenn. Wilsy Wilder who files his affidavit to the effect that said Jacob was formerly the slave of Henry Hart in the state of Tennessee. And that said Jacob was sent to this state with the purpose of having him set free, Jacob is a free man. (The court being satisfied from papers on file.) The court orders it to be certified to whom so ever it may concern that Jacob Hart has been found in court to be free. Apr term 1842.
Transcribed 10 Dec 2002 by Shirley A. Aleguas, from Book D, Page 188
10 Oct 1845
Rose Cotton a black woman late Rose Young about 33 years of age Has been living in and about Whitehall for five or six years. She was granted a certificate of Freedom.
Transcribed 10 Dec 2002 by Shirley A. Aleguas, from Book E, P 81
Mar 1846
William Key a colored man. Application for freedom papers.
From Louisiana sent here by William Kirk to a farm in Greene
County owned by Kirk former owner of Key. It is therefore
certified that William Key is a free man.
Sam D. Lockure Judge
Transcribed 10 Dec 2002 by Shirley A. Aleguas, from Book E, P 64
08 Apr 1846
America Johnston a black woman, now the wife of Joseph
Johnson, came to this state from Kentucky some ten or eleven
years ago. She is about nineteen now. It is directed that a
certificate of freedom be granted her.
Moses O. Bledsoe, Clerk
Transcribed 10 Dec 2002 by Shirley A. Aleguas, from Book E, P 87
