"Bill of sale" for Sally Maria Diggs, aka "Pink"

Transcription of Bill of Sale:

"To all persons whom it may concern:
Whereas on the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty the Reverend Henry Ward Beecher of the city of Brooklyn state of New York presented to the congregation of Plymouth church of said city of which congregation he is Pastor the case of Sally Maria Diggs-usually called Pink who was then a slave child offered for sale in the city of Washington District of Columbia and whereas the said Beecher and congregation were desirous that the said slave child should be set free in order that she might not be separated from her Grandmother with whom she had lived up to that date and Whereas a contribution of money was made by the said congregation on the day above mentioned for the purpose of securing the freedom of the said slave child which money was put into my hands by the said Preacher with instructions to take the manner of servitude or service to me-my Executors Administrators heirs and assigns forever.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this Eleventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and sixty

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
Charles Naylor
Thomas Donne

John F. Blake (SEAL)"

For more about Sally Maria Diggs, see Documents 13, 14, and 105.

Citation - Document 15
Photographs: Churches. Plymouth. Renderings. Congregational
February 8, 1860
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar