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Free Blacks and Guardians in St. Augustine 1838

 

                                                                                               

 

                Being a free black in the pre-Civil War era was not necessarily a freed state that the white population had. They were limited by movement, occupation, curfew, and various other means to slow their interaction with slaves and whites. In 1838 the City of St Augustine required that freed blacks have a guardian white person. It was required that an acknowledgement be made of this relationship and placed on file in the City Hall. These are the surviving acknowledgements that can be found in the City records of St. Augustine in the city papers at the St. Augustine Historical Society.

 

11-1-1838

 

                I acknowledge to be the guardian of the Bearer Maria Deane a free col woman - St. Aug. Nov 1838

Gabriel W. Perpall

 

                I do hereby acknowledge myself to be the Guardian of Tom and his wife Philles, free Blacks St. Augustine.

                                Nov 1838

                                Gabl W. Perpall

 

                I hereby appoint Mr. Charles Downing my guardian. St. Augustine 2d Nov 1838

                                James Williams

 

                I accept for Mr. Downing and in his name the guardianship above mentioned.

                                2 Nov 1838

                                Charles Downing  by  JS Sanchez

 

                Lydia Burgos and her grand daughter Inez the first a free black and the second a colord woman having chosen me their Guardian I consent to accept and act as such for them.

                                St. Augustine 31st Oct 1838

                                Joseph S. Sanchez

 

St. Augustine Oct 31th 1838

                I have consented to be the Guardian of Anthony Papy (a free man of color) and of Jane his daughter a free woman of color.

                                John M. Fontane

 

B.A. Putnam

                Guardian of Joe Richo, Boxer Wicks and Betsey his wife.

 

I consent to be the guardian of Hannah Forrester a free woman of color.

                John M. Fontane October 31 1838

 

Abraham Dupont

                Guardian of

                Phoebe Dupont and Moses her child

 

Doctor Weightman, Guardian of Harry McQueen


 

George Center, Guardian of Tinny Fatio


 

 

St. Augustine Oct 30th 1838

                A list of free persons of Colour for whom I sit as Guardian for

                Maria Darling and Family

                Toney Papy

                George Sentos

 

                                                Joshus Foigner

 

                I do hereby appoint Mr. Joseph S. Sanchez guardian for myself and the following my children viz Mary, Sarah, Thomas, Elizabeth, Moris and Elen.

                St. Aug. 31st Oct 1838.

                Amelia Morrs

 

James Pillicen

 

                I do hereby accept the guardianship above mentioned for the persons therein named. St. Augustine 31st Oct 1838

                Jos S. Sanchez

 

                I hereby appoint Robert Raymont Reid my guardian and pray that he may be so considered and accepted by the City Council of St. Augustine. Nov. 1838

                John W. McKenzie

 

                I consent to act as the Guardian of John W. Mackenzie a free man of color

                1 Nov 1838

                Robt. Raymond Reid

 

                We hereby appoint Rob Raymond Reid our guardian and request that he may be so considered and accepted by the City Council of St. Augustine.

                Oct 1838

                William R. Clarke                                                              Joseph Clarke

                Geo. P. Clarke                                                                     John D. Clarke

                Sampson Williams                                                              James F. Clarke

 

                I consent to act as Guardian for the free persons of color whose names are signed to the above instrument of writing

                Oct 1838

                Robt. Raymond Reid.

 

                His honor the Mayor is respectfully informed that I am the Guardian of Sprizg Mosby, a free man of Color residing in the City of St. Augustine at ? Nabura, corner of Charlotte and Bent St.

                                Very respectfully

                                E.B. Gould

                                20th Nov 1838

 

                St. Augustine Nov the 5 1838

 

                Mr. Bernardo Seguil

                                Sir I now inform you that I am guardian for Dick Forgason and his grandaughter and Sam Nelson. Daniel Hurlbert

 

                I acknowledge myself to be the guardian of Juana, Namona Leandra, Catelina and Louisa Fernandez free people of colour St. Augustine 1 November 1838. G.W. Perpall