William Howard Deed of Manumission and Release of Service, 1864 April 4

The collection contains documents relating to the manumission and service of William Howard, as well as enslaver Priscilla Ann Jessop Daugherty. Included is an 1846 deed of "one Negro boy Charles Howard" (possibly William Howard's brother) from Priscilla Jessop to her step-daughter Priscilla A. Jessop; a volunteer descriptive list form documenting William Howard’s enlistment in the United States Colored Troops, including Daugherty's signed statement that "the above slave is her property for life"; an "Evidence of Title" form testifying that Daugherty acquired Howard as her "slave for life" by inheritance in 1858, with supporting statements by two witnesses; three conjoined forms signed by Daugherty including a "Claimant's Certificate" claiming her right to compensation for Howard's enlistment, her signed "Oath of Allegiance" to the United States to demonstrate her eligibility to receive compensation, and her pledge to file a deed of manumission; a true copy of Howard’s "Deed of Manumission and Release of Service"; and photocopied muster rolls of Howard’s service.