[Deposition of John Champneys]

Slavery Collection, 1709-1864

1792-02-03

Two-page deposition of John Champneys describing the circumstances surrounding charges of financial support for William Binnie [Junior], the "Negro wench Jenny" and her children. Champneys purchased Jenny at "St. Augustine's when the whole property of Wm. [William] Binnie the Elder was sold" by John Martin. He subsequently gave Jenny to the infant son, William Binnie [Junior], by deed of gift. He objects to monetary charges placed against him by Mr. Quinby, the second husband of Binne Sr.'s widow, for "the board and maintenance of the child," from the time of marriage to his mother until the time of her death, when William Binne [Junior] was sent along with Jenny to reside with his Aunt. Additional note on verso shows that Fleetwood Armstrong, "on account of the valuable qualifications of the wench" has released William Binnie of all other charges.

nyhs_sc_b-06_f-01_005
Mss Collection - Slavery Collection

Depositions--United States
Slavery--United States

Depositions

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The negro wench Jenny was purchased by me at St. Augustine's when the whole property of Wm. [William] Binnie the Elder was sold by John Martin Provost Marshall of St. Augustine, I seeing the distressed situation of the family, purchased the negro woman Jenny and gave the same by deed of gift to the infant son of Wm [William] Binnie in order to secure the same for the benefit of the child. When the widow married M. Quinby, the wench officiated in the house during the lifetime of M. Quinby after her decease a considerable time Mrs. Lord of Providence the aunt of the child was desirous of having her nephew with her, then and not ‘til then the wench Jenny and her children were sent for in order to proceed to Providence with the child Wm Binnie and his aunt when to my surprise on acct. [account] of thirty odd pounds was demanded by the said Quinby for the board and maintenance of the child at the rate of ₤95 [25?] pr. [per] annum or thereabouts from the time of the marriage of the said Quinby with the child’s mother, which tho [though] thought unreasonable yet I was willing to allow a discount for the wages of the wench as the child’s property – but this Quinby would not , , [on back] allow having made a deed of gift of the wench to the child. I could not claim or recover of him until I could receive a proper power from the child’s guardians. Mrs. Lord, which having never received the remained it that state until his arrival. , , 3 Febray [February?] 1792 , [Signed] John Champneys, , NB Fleetwood Armstrong has repeatedly said that on acct. [account] of the valuable qualifications of the wench. He would have for the sake of her work, maintained her children and her young master Wm. Binnie free of all other charges.