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Collection Reference Number GLC00340
From Archive Folder Documents Relating to 1813 
Title Manumission of a mulatto slave named Benjamin Harkimon (or Harkinson)
Date 13 April 1813
Author Rhea, Jonathan (1758-1815)  
Additional authors Linn, James (1749-1821) Timberlake, John B. (d. 1828)
Document Type Legal document
Content Description Sends John B. Timberlake, bursar of the frigate United States commanded by Commodore Decatur, an official document freeing thirty-three-year-old Harkimon (or Harkinson), who was aboard the United States, with the stipulation that Harkimon pay $200. Notarized by James Linn, "one of the Masters of the Court of Chancery of the State of New Jersey." Written on the same paper as a letter to Timberlake introducing the document. Contains a red wax seal.
Subjects African American History  Manumission  Emancipation  Slavery  Navy  Maritime  Law  Finance  Recruitment  War of 1812  Military History  African American Troops  
People Rhea, Jonathan (cb. 1754-1815)  Linn, James (1749-1821)  Timberlake, John B. (d. 1828)  Harkimon, Benjamin (fl. 1813)  
Place written Trenton, New Jersey
Theme Naval & Maritime; Law; Slavery & Abolition; African Americans; War of 1812
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Written during the War of 1812. On 3 March 1813, the U.S. Navy authorized enlistment of free blacks because of manpower shortages. It is possible this document was written by Jonathan Rhea (1758-1815), attorney and clerk of the Monmouth County Court of Common Pleas. James Linn was a United States Representative from New Jersey (1799-1801), was appointed by President Jefferson to be supervisor of the revenue (1801-1809), and was New Jersey secretary of state (1809-1820).
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859