Case of trespass brought by "Peter, a negro man" in 1800, Hudson NY.
Hudson, NY: February 20, 1800. A highly unusual manuscript warrant signed by Hudson, NY's Justice of the Peace, ordering a white merchant to appear in a case of trespass brought by "Peter, a negro man".
Jerad Coffin, the Justice of the Peace, summons Claudius J. Delamarter "personally to appear before me at the dwelling house of Ebenezer Legro in Hudson, on the 28th day of February at 1 o'clock in the afternoon to answer Peter a negro man in a plea of Trespas (sic) on the case to his damage twenty five dollars or under, and make return of this writ as law directs, witness my hand at Hudson this 20th day of February, 1800". It is signed "Jerad Coffin, Justice of the Peace. On the line below the signature, "The above is a true Coppy, [?] J. Gridley, Constable".
The warrant is recorded on the verso of a folio ledger double page records of payments (from February 16, 1799 to February 4, 1800) by Claudius J. Delamarter (sic) in account with Roger Riley. 16 x 13", in period ink on laid paper. The warrant recorded on the lower half of verso of ledger page.
The tax roll for Hudson for 1802 has 4 Delametters listed - Dirck, Claudius D, Claudius I and Claudius. They were all taxed for a house & farm, the values $5,000, $5,000, $4,000 and $1200 respectively. - wealthy land owners. Jared Coffin is listed, along with many other Coffin family members. The following are not listed - Ebenezer Legro nor Roger Riley nor J. Gridley (although Obed Gridley is listed.)
"Hudson grew rapidly and by 1790 was the 24th-largest city in the United States. In 1820, it had a population of 5310, and ranked as the fourth-largest city in New York, after New York City, Albany and Brooklyn." (Wikipedia)
An unusual record of life in upstate New York. Very good condition. Item #25521
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