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Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Document for tax exemption of the enslaved man Benjamin, owned by Edward Rouzee

July 21, 1806

Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A document from the Tappahannock Essex court dated July 21, 1806. The document orders that "the negro man slave Benjamin," property of Edward Rouzee, be exempted from taxes and levies. The document is signed at the bottom right by a Mr. Lee. There is a flourish below the signature. On the reverse is written, "Rouzee Edward order exempt negroe from levee." Both sides are handwritten in black ink and the paper has been folded multiple times.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2011.104.35

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