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Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Bill of sale for Leah and her daughters Sarah and Mariah to Robert Watson

January 8, 1827

Georgia, 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 handwritten bill of sale for a woman named Leah and her two daughters, Sarah and Mariah, for the amount of $750 to Robert Watson. The document is handwritten in brown ink on a square sheet of off-white paper. At top left it is dated [1822 Jany. 8th]. It reads in part: [Rcd. of Robert Watson seven / hundred & fifty dollars, in full payment / for a negro woman (Leah) and her / two children Sarah& Mariah; which / negroes I warrant sound in body and / mind: I also warrant & defend the / rights & title to said negroes, unto / him, the sd. [said] Watson, his heirs and / assigns forever]. It is signed [Joseph Pearson] at bottom right with handdrawn seal and witnessed by [John Bailey] at bottom left. There are no markings or inscriptions on the verso.

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: 2012.158.25

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