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Maryland 1832 Free Slave Manuscript,

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Maryland 1832 Free Slave Manuscript,
Maryland 1832 Free Slave Manuscript,<p>dated May 25. This document notes that one David Harris appeared before a Justice of the Peace to swear that a certain colored boy was free born and at least 21 years of age. 4 x 7.5". Maryland was a border state that was neither as devoted to slavery as the South, nor as free as the North. In the state overall, less than half of the population was Black, and of those about half were slaves and half free. Thus slave documents of any kind are scarce. In addition, "free" had its risks, such as being captured and re-enslaved, or suspicion of anti-slavery activity, including harboring fugitives. And apparently one had to continually convince others that you were born free, as this document attests.<p>Light, even toning, light folds, only a few very small areas of darker browning.