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(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.)
NEW JERSEY.
“I Gitty Smucker . . .
give unto my black woman Jane two
kitchen iron pots, one old breakfast
table, and six old silver tea spoons.”
Large folio leaf, folded to form four pages,
written on two sides; creases where
folded; paper evenly toned with a few
light stains, signed by Ms. Smucker and
three witnesses.
South Brunswick, NJ, 1811
[600/900]
The very detailed and unusual last will and
testament of one Gitty Smucker in which she
not only describes virtually every one of her
possessions, and to whom she is willing it, but
includes a generous inheritance to her “black
woman Jane.” There is no mention of who gets
Jane, though it is probably understood to be her
husband. She also gives her husband “Garret
Smucker the use of the five hundred pounds he
has in his possession of my money, together
with all my household, kitchen furniture and
lining (sic) during his life, at his Death to be
disposed of as follows.”