On the 7th day of this month we jointly purchased, from the Executors
of the late Hugh Rogers, Esquire, for the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars,
his Plantation called "Northbroke," containing about 500 acres of land;
and as we have been enabled to pay the purchase money principally from
out of our savings since we obtained our freedom, we cannot refrain
from expressing how thankful, how grateful we are, how indebted we
ever shall be, to all those noble-minded individuals who were mainly
instrumental in procuring and giving us that freedom.
* * * * * * *
We know that to the individual act of her Majesty, we owe the
happiness of having you here, as our Ruler and Governor, in her name.
Your Excellency is too exalted in station to listen to praise and
commendation, and _we_ too humble to offer them; but we may be allowed
to state, with thankfulness, that every act of your Excellency's
administration, with reference to us, and to the body to which we
belong, has been marked with kindness, benevolence, liberality and
justice. And we humbly pray The Almighty Ruler of all Men, that your
Excellency may be long spared to us, to afford us your protection.
* * * * * * *
We know the blessings of Freedom, and we endeavor to deserve them. We
are peaceable in disposition--industrious by habit--loyal and faithful
by nature--gratitude to our Sovereign, and to your Excellency, will
make us doubly vigilant and circumspect.
We further respectfully represent to your Excellency, that it is not
our intention to settle down upon our Plantation, and lead a life of
Idleness. Our views and wishes are to have the Land divided into equal
portions among us. Individually rent our cottages upon our respective
plots of ground, and thereon, in our leisure hours, cultivate our
Vegetables and Provisions; but our firm determination, as a body, is to
continue to labor daily, as now, upon the several Plantations where we
are employed.
* * * * * * *
We further respectfully represent to your Excellency, that it is our
intention to establish upon our Plantation, a School-House and Church,
(and there is a new, large Building on the Estate, well adapted to
these purposes); in the former, our Children will be taught to read
their Bible, and learn their several duties to Society at large, whilst
in the latter, as each revolving Sabbath appears, we shall assemble
together, and there offer up to the Almighty, our humble thanks for the
great and wonderful benefits which, under Divine Providence, have been
conferred upon us.
Praying your Excellency's favorable consideration and Patronage,
We have the honor to be, sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servants.
(Signed) John Sertima, William Lewis, Thomas Badlie, James M'Crae,
Frank Baillie, Samuel Burton, Romeo Isaac, Daniell Isaac, Thomas Colin,
Martin, Martin Menarmy, Simon Hanover, Simon Scott, Thomas Hercules,
John Lewis, Wm. Gamell Reaves, Jas. Handy, John Wheeler, Vollove
Robert, John Mileel, Michael James, Simson Tate, Sampson Cooper, Isaac
Chapman, Primus Samuel, Cupidore Hopkinson, Quashie Porter, Cornwall
Porter, Cæsar Solomon, Hall Porter, Quammie Adam, Hamlet Cato, Simon
Spencer, Melville Porter, Quashie Bard, Quacco Hamilton, Medlin
Hamilton, John Lion, Cross Sumner, Marlborough Sam, Pollodore Bentick,
Ceciro Hercules, Jillis Cumming, Gambry James, Moses Hopkinson, Bill
Williams, Blackwell Lancaster, Scipio Samuel, Pat Murphy, Ned Mackay,
William Negaeley, Alexand Porter, William Smart, Catherine Loud,
Kenneth Jarrich, Hannah Porter, Sammy Knight, Hannah Porter, Adam
Grant, Maria Grant, Collin M'Crea, John Tiddell, Simon King, Bellender
Hopkinson.
Signed in my presence, this 30th day of November, 1839.
(Signed) C. H. STRUTT, Stip. Magistrate.
Witness to the several signatures,
(Signed) MARY STRUTT.