1807

Arresting an Unmarried Father-to-be.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:55.00 USD Estimated At:110.00 - 130.00 USD
Arresting an Unmarried Father-to-be.
Manuscript legal A.D.S. of Justice William Imlay, stating that "Martha Blackwell of the Township of Upper Freehold...single woman, hath by her voluntary examination...declared herself to be with child, and that the said child is likely to be born a bastard and chargeable to the said Township and that Richard Potts, Jr...tanner, is the father...And whereas Gilbert Hendrickson, one of the overseers of the poor...hath applied unto me to issue out my warrant for apprehending the said Richard Potts, Jr...." Monmouth County, N.J., Apr. 2, 1832, 8 1/4 x 13 1/2. The following day, bold docketing on verso: "Returned the within with the defendant in Court. Samuel Bunting, Constable." Light toning, else fine. Imlaystown is named for the eponymous family, "the area's major landowners in the colonial period"--wikipedia. A William Imlay is mentioned in Slavery and Freedom in the Rural North: African Americans in Monmouth County by Hodges. * With companion document in Imlay's hand, 3 1/2 x 8, stating that Martha is 18 years of age, and "the child was begat at the residence of VanRoom Robbins...." Fine. Research shows that Martha (Margaretta) married Robbins, Jr., bearing five (more?) children; he may have become the father to the child in these documents. (2 pcs.)