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Slavery existed throughout Britain's North American colonies before the American Revolution, including thousands of men, women, and children enslaved in New England.

This bill of sale records a transaction – “signed, sealed and delivered” – that took place on May 22, 1734. Samuel Kent of Suffield, Massachusetts, (a town that later became a part of Connecticut) sold "a Certain Negro Girl named Kate" to Israel Williams of Hatfield, Massachusett, for "Eightynine Pounds in cash." The bill of sale states that Kate was about eight or nine years old on the date of sale. Israel Williams was typical of many New England enslavers in purchasing a child rather than an adult. They believed that enslaved children would learn English more easily, adapt more quickly to their new surroundings and develop stronger bonds of loyalty to their enslaver and his family. Also, children were considered to be easier to train and control.

This transaction was witnessed by three men whose names appear at the bottom of the manuscript: Eleazer Porter, Oliver Partridge and John Pomroy.

Transcript

May ye 22 1734 Then I Samuel Kent of Suffeild
In holden for the Consideration of Eightynine
Pounds In Cash In hand Paid to me have Sold Set
over & Delivored to Capt Israel Williams of
Hatfeild a Certain Negro Girl named Kate
Ageed About Eight or Nine years wch I hereby
Engage for me my heirs Executors & Administrators
To warrant To him his heirs Executors & Administra
tors against the Lawful Claim Challenge or Demand
of Any Person or Persons Whosoever as wittness
My hand and Seal ye Day Abovesd –
Sign’d Seal’d & Delivd
In presence of
Elear Porter Samll Kent
Oliver Partridge
John Pomroy