Beschreibung:

Continental currency, fifty dollar note, No. 4640 in red ink, N[athaniel] Donnell in red ink, Wm. Hutch(?) in black ink. September 26th, 1778 issue, hole canceled. This note was printed on 2 sheets (possibly why it was canceled?) rather than front and back on one sheet; other side blank on both. Also pay order from State of Connecticut, June 4, 1788. Order to pay "Thomas Pickit Eighteen Pounds." Signed Oliv[er]. Wolcott, Compt. 4 x 5 in. 3pp, 7.75 x 12.5 in. State of New Jersey, Somerset County, 5 Feb.1846. Two parts: the first is an order for a constable to pick up Peter Somerset, his wife, Betty, daughter, Mary Louisa, and son, Benjamin Warren, and remove them from Branch Burgh Township and take them to Bedminster Township to the Overseer of the Poor. In the second part, we get Peter's story: He swears under oath that he is the son of Benjamin Somerset, former slave of Aaron Longstreet of Bedminster. His father was manumitted when Peter was about 14 or 15. He remained with Aaron Longstreet until he was 25 years old. At the time of his deposition, he was 28 with a wife and two children. "I am poor, sick and unable to work and provide for my family. My wife is also unhealthy, and I stand in need of township aid..." Both parts signed by Aaron Auten and James Taylor Justices of the Peace. Docketed on verso. A rather different aspect of African American history. Condition: Surface soil from handling. Currency note canceled as noted. Red ink fading (as is common).