Manumission (Mingo)

On 21 April 1788, Thomas Baker of Liberty County signed his name to the following deed: “Whereas Mr. John Linus late of this County deceased in his last Will allowed his Negroes the priviledge [SIC] of choosing any to be their Master who would pay to the Executor of his Estate the price they should be appraised at. Be it known that I Thomas Baker of said County at the request of Mingo one of the said Negroes did, about the first day of March last, become bound to pay to the said Executor on the first of January next seventy five pounds specie it being the price the said Mingo has been appraised at, and did at the same time receive the said Mingo into my Service and be it also known that I at the same time at the request of the said Mingo agreed that when his services shall be deemed by four indifferent persons (two of whom to be chosen by him two by myself) or in case of my decease, by my heirs, executors, or Administrators, to be a sufficient recompence for the Money I am bound to advance, and the risk I run of losing him, before such recompence can be made, that then the said Mingo shall be free and no longer under subjection neither to myself or my Heirs, Executors or administrators, and I do hereby bind and oblige myself, my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, to abide by, and perform the agreement on our parts, under the penal sum of one hundred pounds to be paid in case of Failure thereof unto the said Mingo, in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty first day of April Anno Domini One Thousand seven hundred and Eight Eight. In presence of Rebecca Baker.” 

“We the subscribers being chosen according to Mr. Thomas Baker’s agreement with Mingo to judge whether the said Mingo has made sufficient recompence for the money paid by the said Thomas Baker, and for the risque [SIC, risk] he run, Give it as our opinion that the said Mingo has agreeable to the above Statement made full and sufficient recompence and thereby entitled to his freedom from the Heirs or Executors of the said Thomas Baker. Given under our hands this 25th March one thousand seven hundred and ninety five. [Signed] John Stacy, Joseph Quarterman, Peter Winn, Wm. [William] Way.” 

Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on June 2, 1795. 

Found later in the same deed book:

“Liberty County 30 March 1795
These are to certify that the bearer Mingo is Entitled to his freedom by a disition [SIC, decision] of four disinterested persons agreeable to an Instrument of Writing signed by Mr. Thos. [Thomas] Baker his late master authorising the same. Therefore he ought to have liberty to pass and repass without molestation. Witness our hands this above date. [Signed] Thomas Stevens, Samuel Spencer, Exors [Executors]. “ Witnessed by John Way. 

Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on September 28, 1795.