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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