LIST OF LANDS, LOTS OF GROUND, WITH THEIR IMPROVEMENTS, DWELLING HOUSES, AND SLAVES, OWNED BY NATHL. GLADDING OF BRISTOL ON THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY A.D. 1814, LYING AND BEING WITHIN THE FIRST DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, &C. VIZ. IN THE TOWN OF BRISTOL AND COUNTY OF BRISTOL. LOT OF LAND BOUNDED SOUTH ON BRADFORD STREET, WEST ON LAND OF SAML. WARDWELL, NORTH ON LAND OF NATH. FALES, & WEST ON LAND OF SAML R. PAIN CONTAINING FORTY RODS, HAVING THEREON ONE DWELLING HOUSE OF WOOD, 2 STORIES, 39 FEET BY 32 FEET, ONE BARN & ONE STORE. | ONE WATER LOT BOUNDED EAST ON THAMES STREET, SOUTH ON LAND OF NEWTON WALDRON, WEST ON SHIP CHANNEL & NORTH ON LAND OF JONA. RUSSELL HAVING THEREIN ONE DWELLING HOUSE OF WOOD, 2 STORIES, 36 FEET BY 30, ONE STORE OF WOOD & ONE STORE OF STONE & ONE COOPERS SHOP & TWO WHARFES| ONE LOT OF LAND BOUNDED SOUTH ON CROOKED ROAD, WEST ON LAND OF LEVI D'WOLF, NORTH ON ? D. WOLF & EAST ON SAML. REED CONTAINING FOUR ACRES, PASTURE|... THREE ACRES OF LAND BELONGING TO THE C.C. SOCIETY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE.| NATHL. GLADDING. $11700 [On verso: 112. NATH. GLADDING].
Bristol, RI: 1814. Small paper, 6.25" x 7.5". Preprinted form, completed and signed in manuscript. The words "and Slaves" have been crossed out. Approximately twenty lines of manuscript describing five parcels of land. Light toning and wear, minimal foxing. Very Good.
The Gladdings of Bristol were a large, extended family; their ancestors helped found the town. Although many family members had the same names, the subject and signer of this document was likely Capt. Nathaniel Gladding [1775-1838], a master and owner in the merchant carrying trade. Capt. Gladding served in the General Assembly of Rhode Island from 1812-1815. He died after becoming ill on a trip aboard the Schooner Le Bruce from New Orleans to Bristol; he was buried in the Gulf of Mexico. [Gladding, Henry C.: THE GLADDING BOOK, Providence: 1901, Page N of the Genealogical Chart; Arnold, James: VITAL RECORD OF RHODE ISLAND, 1636-1850. FIRST SERIES. BIRTH, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. VOLUME 6. BRISTOL COUNTY. Providence: 1894. Page 135.]
Of the several names contained in the property descriptions is that of Levi De Wolf, one of the brothers of the large and wealthy De Wolf family of Bristol, Rhode Island. The De Wolfs were well known for having made much of their fortune in the slave trade. Although many of their peers frowned upon their business, it didn't keep the De Wolfs from being elected to several political offices. Levi is said to have been the more religious of the brothers, losing much of his wealth after his conscience led him to leave the slave trade. [Perry: CHARLES D'WOLF OF GUADALOUPE. Chapter 1. "Descendants of Anthony De Wolf.]
The printed form solicits information on "slaves," who-- although Gladding apparently was not a slave owner-- were in bondage in Rhode Island until the total abolition of slavery there in 1842. Before that date, the gradual emancipation law freed children born to slave mothers after 1784. Rhode Island's economy was heavily dependent upon the West Indian trade. Rum was its biggest export. Item #32090
Price: $85.00