1803-Tom (Thomas Messer)
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Manumitter
Manumitted
Self Purchase Amount
$300
Executor
George Taylor
Text of Freedom Document
Know all men by these presents that I James Keith of the Town and County of Alexandria on the District of
Columbia for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving more especially for and in
consideration of three hundred dollars to me in hand paid by Tom a slave for life belonging unto me the said
James Keith commonly called Thomas Messer have liberated emancipated and manumitted and by these
presents do liberate emancipate and manumit the said Tom commonly called Thomas Messer from his
Bondage and I do hereby release and discharge him from all services to be rendered by him unto me my heirs
executors or administrators in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed by seal this twenty
ninth day of August tone thousand eight hundred and one
Sealed and Delivered in presence of
Ja Keith
District of Columbia Alexandria Corporation to wit
on the twenty ninth day of August on thousand eight hundred and one personally appeared before me George
Taylor Mayor of the said Corporation James Keith of the District and Corporation aforesaid who
acknowledged the above instrument of writing to be his act and deed in testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the said corporation to be affixed the said 29th day of August 1801
George Taylor Mayor
This is a large black looking man about 49 years of age 6 feet one inch high a small scar under the right eye
dirty colored eyes, wool [caud? -- some reference to his hair, I think] behind and at the sides, and large bones-
& flat footed registered this third day of June 1802 agreeable to Law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed my seal of office the day and year above
G Deneale [C?] of Alex’a
county D Columbia
At a United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia continued and held for the County of Alexandria
the 9 day of December 1803
This deed of manumission from James Keith to Negro Tom having been duly acknowledged by the said James
Keith before George Taylor Mayor of the Corporation of Alexandria and certified by him under the seal of the
said corporation, is on motion, ordered to be recorded
[Test?]
G Deneale
[Tue?] 11th day
James Keith to Negro Tom
manumission
November term 1803
no 63
recorded
Lib G fo: 252
Examd
Columbia for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving more especially for and in
consideration of three hundred dollars to me in hand paid by Tom a slave for life belonging unto me the said
James Keith commonly called Thomas Messer have liberated emancipated and manumitted and by these
presents do liberate emancipate and manumit the said Tom commonly called Thomas Messer from his
Bondage and I do hereby release and discharge him from all services to be rendered by him unto me my heirs
executors or administrators in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed by seal this twenty
ninth day of August tone thousand eight hundred and one
Sealed and Delivered in presence of
Ja Keith
District of Columbia Alexandria Corporation to wit
on the twenty ninth day of August on thousand eight hundred and one personally appeared before me George
Taylor Mayor of the said Corporation James Keith of the District and Corporation aforesaid who
acknowledged the above instrument of writing to be his act and deed in testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the said corporation to be affixed the said 29th day of August 1801
George Taylor Mayor
This is a large black looking man about 49 years of age 6 feet one inch high a small scar under the right eye
dirty colored eyes, wool [caud? -- some reference to his hair, I think] behind and at the sides, and large bones-
& flat footed registered this third day of June 1802 agreeable to Law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed my seal of office the day and year above
G Deneale [C?] of Alex’a
county D Columbia
At a United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia continued and held for the County of Alexandria
the 9 day of December 1803
This deed of manumission from James Keith to Negro Tom having been duly acknowledged by the said James
Keith before George Taylor Mayor of the Corporation of Alexandria and certified by him under the seal of the
said corporation, is on motion, ordered to be recorded
[Test?]
G Deneale
[Tue?] 11th day
James Keith to Negro Tom
manumission
November term 1803
no 63
recorded
Lib G fo: 252
Examd
Record Location
Library of VA - VIRGINIA UNTOLD
Files
Collection
Citation
“1803-Tom (Thomas Messer),” Manumission Project, accessed January 17, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/870.