Intenture

Comfort Tunnel

Summary

This indenture includes several transactions. Fifteen-year-old Comfort Tunnel is indentured to James O’Hara in 1795. O’Hara sells Tunnel to Steele Semple for the sum of $80 in June 1802. Semple then sells Tunnel for $80 to Thomas Dobbins in July 1802. Within three weeks, Dobbins sells Comfort to William Gazzam for the sum of $62. Gazzam frees Tunnel upon the completion of her indenture.

Transcription

Reuben West and Comfort Tunnel
To
James O’Hara


City of Philadelphia Est. This Indenture made the Tw  x x x x
one thousand seven Hundred and ninety five Between x x x
a girl of Colour) her Master Reuben West of x x x x x
to whom she is now a Slave of the one part and J x x x x
of Allegheny of the other part, Witnesseth x x x x x x
her own Consent and for and in C x x x x x x x
pounds Lawful money of Penns x x x x x x x x
Reuben West the Receipt of x x x x x x x x x
Said Comfort being now fifteen years of age Hath bound herself a ser-
vant to said James O’Hara his heirs Executors Administrators and assigns
to serve him the said James O’Hara as aforesaid thirteen years from the
day of the date hereof at the end of which time the said Comfort, is to
be entirely free and emancipated from slavery the said Comfort on her
part engages to beheave herself as a good and Faithful servant during
the said term of thirteen Years, and to be sober honest & deligent to her said
Masters service, and the said James O’Hara on his part engages to
find the said the said Comfort in good and sufficient meat Drink
Lodging and Washing during the said Term of thirteen years ~
In Witness whereof both Parties to these presents have Interchange
ably set their hands and seals the day and year above mentioned. ~

Bound before me the Subscriber one of the
Alderman of Philadelphia
Keynold Keen

}

the mark of
Comfort Tunnel  (Seal)
Reuben West (Seal)

Know all men by these presents that James O’Hara for and in consideration of the sum of Eighty Dollars to me in hand paid by Steele Semple the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge Do hereby assign transfer & set over to the said Steel Semple his heirs & assigns the within named
Comfort Tunnel. Witness my Hand and seal the Eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and two. ~

Witness: Wm Wusthoff

James O’Hara (Seal)

Know all men by these presents that I Steel Semple for and in consideration of the sum of eighty dollars to me in hand paid by Thomas Dobbins the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged Do hereby assigns transfer and set over to the said Thomas Dobbins his heirs & assigns the within named Comfort Tunnell. Witness my Hand and Seal the 6th day of July 1802. ~

Test: Henry Harlett

Steele Semple (Seal)

Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Dobbins for and in consideration of the sum of sixty two dollars to me in hand paid the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do hereby Transfer assign & set over all my Rights title and Interest of the within Indenture upon the said Comfort Tunnel unto William Gazzam his heirs and assigns July 26. 1802. ~

Thomas Dobbins

Know all men by these presents that I William Gazzam Do hereby
promise and agree that the within bound Comfort Tunnell shall be free from all
x x x of servitude upon account of this Indenture onethe twenty sixth
x x x in the year 1805. ~

x x x x s Dobbins

Wm Gazzam

~ I am satisfied & have Received value for
x x x this Indenture and declare Comfort Tunwell therein
x x x (2 Receipt)

Wm Gazzam

~ I am satisfied for Comfort Tunwells
x x x Indenture and declare her free.
x x x x pt)

Wm Gazzam

Recorded 18th June 1810.