Phebe Martin

United States of America State of New-York

By this Public Instrument, Be it known to all whom the same doth or may concern That I, William Williams Jr. a Public Notary in and for the State of New-York, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the said State, duly Commissioned and Sworn; and in and by the said Letters Patent invested "With full Power and Authority to Attest Deeds, Wills, Testaments, Codicils, Agreements, and other Instruments in Writing; and to administer any Oath or Oaths, to any Person or Persons:" Do hereby certify, That on the Day of the Date hereof, before personally came and appeared.

Michael Brown a mulatto man being about fifty six inches high having a scar on each eye brow and a mole on his upper lip and [] and another on his left ankle who being by me duly sworn, according to Law, did solemnly depose and declare, that he is about Twenty Nine years of age, and thane was born in Baltimore County in the State of Maryland in the United States of America and I, the said Notary, do further certify, That the Acts of Congress of the United States, authorizing the granting of Protections to American Seamen, by the Custom-House Officers, do not provide for People of Colour,

Wherefore the said, Deponent having made oath as aforesaid, have granted him this Public Instrument to serve and avail himself as need and occasion may require–to the end that he may not be interrupted or molested in the prosecution of his lawful business, either at sea or on land; but may be permitted to pass and repass accordingly.

DONE at the City of New-York, in the said State of New-York, the 2nd Day of August in the Year one thousand eight hundred and Ten IN PROEMISSORUM FIDEM. Michael [his + mark] Brown W Williams Jr NOTARY PUBLIC

Mississippi Territory County of Adams [unknown symbol]

To Lewis Evans Esq. Sheriff of said County

Whereas Phebe a Black Woman and native of Georgia supposed to be free; and lately Advertised by William Wells as a runaway Slave and brought before me by John Kean, declareth [sic] that her Parents were free, and that she was bound by her Mother to a Certain Champ Terry, until she was of Age, her time by him Transferr'd [sic] to Thomas Whitehead of Burk County in the State of Georgia & by him Transferr'd [sic] to John/John Wells and William Wells, or to One of them, who forcibly brought her to this Territory from the said State of Georgia. And Whereas the said Phebe informs Me that Stephen Blount, Luke Blount, John House, John Bickham, Thomas Bickham & John Wells Sen. Can verify the Truth of her declaration as aforesaid. These are therefore in the name of the United States to enjoin You to cause the said.

Subpoena Issued From Daniel Clark, January 1800

Stephen Blount, Luke Blount, John House, John Bickham, Thomas Bickham & John Wells Sen. to appear before me on the 28th instant to testify their knowledge of the premises and to answer such questions and shall ask them touching the said Phebe's declaration aforesaid. Given under my hand this 20th day of January 1800/Jan.20,1800 - Daniel Clark

Subpoena for Stephen Blount, Luke Blount, John House, John Bickham, Thomas Bickham & John Wells Sen.

*on side* Executed by the Constable

Lewis Evans Esq.... Sheriff of the County of Adams

Some days ago was informed by Mr. Justice Clark that the Wench Phebe placed by the Court of Common Pleas in your care during the Suite therein depending on her accounts....hath been taken by Violence from this territory...to the Appalusa and an attempt there made to sell her as a Slave...by a certain John Wells..the proof whereof is contained in a Letter from the Commandant of that place to Mr Justice Clark and by him transmited [sic]to Mr Duncan [ ] in the cause of Phoebe pending in our Court as afores'd--

Mr. Justice Dunbar says he is well acquainted with the handwriting of the Commd. of the Appalusa and can swear to it.... I have met with no conclusive oppinion [sic] on this busin ess... but I have made up mine [sic] ... which is that it clearly rests with you to prosecute; for it is from you, that the Ct. of comm'n pleas has to demand the Woman... It is recomm ended to one by Mr. Justice Clark to forward the prosecution of Wells to effect... and request

That you will without the loss of time take advice of the States Atty and pursue the guilty with the strong arm of Justice… for this most daring violation of the Laws

Ber.d Lintote/Lintot Justice in com'n Pleas

Natchez June 20 1800/June 20, 1800