Source: Endangered Archives Programme, EAP148/3/1/2.
Rec’d 19th Jan: 1757
Be it known to all people to whom these presents shall Come That I Henry Archbould Esqr. of Jamaica now on Board his Majesty’s Ship Dyer at Sea Do Send Greeting
Know Yee that I the said Henry Archbould for & in Consideration of the faithfull Services of my Negroe Man Slave Named Jack now with me Have & Do by these presents absolutely Acquit Release & Discharge the said Negroe of & from all Bondage Service & Slavery due to me my heirs Executors & Administrators from the said Negroe by any ways or means Rights or Debts whatsoever or howsoever Giving & hereby Granting unto the said Negroe full Liberty to Act Perform & Do all such things as he shall find Requisite & Necessary for his future Maintenance & otherwise without the Let or hindrance Molestation or Disturbance of any Person or Persons whatsoever as fully & Effectually to all Intents & purposes as if he had never been purchased by or Otherwise become a Slave to me or any other person whatsoever. And as a further Reward for the said Negroe’s Services & fidelity I do hereby Charge such Estate as I am now or shall hereafter be possessed of with the Yearly Sum of Twelve Pounds Current Money of Jamaica (commencing from time of my Decease) to be paid to the said Negroe during his Natural Life by four Quarterly payments at the Rate of Three pounds p Quarter the first payment whereof to begin & be made three Months after such my Decease & from thence to Continue to be paid to the said Negroe by my heirs Executors or Admors in such Manner as before Directed In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this fourth Day of August in the Thirtieth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord King George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain &c & in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & fifty Six
Hen: Archbould
Signed Sealed & Delivered (being made at Sea where no Stamped paper Could be had) In the Presence of . . . . . . . . . .
Ar. Forrest
Ferd. Goodall
Memorandum that on the 19th day of Janry in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and fifty Seven Arthur Forrest personally appeared before me and made Oath that he was present and Saw the above Mentioned Henry Archbould Seal and Deliver this Instrument as his Act and Deed.
Executor Peter Furnell