Mills-Line-NJ-1795-Bill Of Sale

MILLS Family

Posting of Slaves

Hello, Tim,

I don't know if this will help anyone, but here is a reference to a slave in my family's history. This MILLS family lived in Westfield Twp., Essex Co.(now Union Co.), NJ. This was probably in the area of what is now Mountainside, Union Co., NJ. Scotch Plains in also in Union Co., NJ. I hope this helps someone find a family connection. 

Sorry I don't have time to post to the site as I am leaving in a bit for vacation. Just wanted to get this sent, & hopefully you can post it for me.

Audrey Shields Hancock

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From the book, "Under the Blue Hills, Scotch Plains, New Jersey" by Marion Nicholl Rawson, and published by The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and the Fanwood & Scotch Plains American Revolution Bicentennial Committee, we read on p. 127 under the subtitle "MAN OWNS MAN" about "William MILLS" whose "property" had to be sold to settle his estate.

"Back in the heyday of slavery when the consciences of the northerners were not yet beginning to prick them, we are able to visualize those colored folks who probably did much more than their share of the work of developing and prospering the growing town. There was Tom, the fourteen-year old slave boy who at the settlement of the William Mills estate had to be sold with the rest of the property, and became slave-help on the Joseph Line plantation over the Mountain. At the time of Tom's sale in 1795, a slave boy was worth something, for Tom's price was "eighty five pounds of good and lawful money." Within the boy was of course the potential man and all the work which could be sweated out of him, yet we would think twice today before paying out $425.00 for any modern work boy no matter his potentialities, regardless of the morality of the matter." 

From the book, Scotch Plains, "The Story of an Old Community," by Reignette Marsh, page 46:

"Jeremiah Mills and William Mills to Joseph Line, Bill of Sale, Know all men by these presents that we Jeremiah Mills and William Mills, both of the Township of Westfield, County of Essex and State of New Jersey, Adms. to the estate of William Mills, dec., have for and in consideration of the sum of eighty-five pounds of good and lawful money of the State aforesaid, -to us in hand paid by Joseph Line of the same place aforesaid sold unto the said Joseph Line one negro boy about fourteen years old,--named Tom; which said negro boy we do bind ourselves to warrant and defend unto the sd. Joseph Line and to his heirs and assigns against the just and lawful claim and demand of all manner of persons whatsoever. In witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and seal this second day of May in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of
John Miller, Charles Clark, Jeremiah x (his mark) Mills "William Mills."

Contributed by:  (TIM AYERS) tayers@nashvillechamber.com
By way of: David Hancock [SMTP:davehancock@worldnet.att.net]