Deed of Emancipation of a Black Slave, 1744
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THINK
To understand people from the past, we need to look at their “historical perspective.” This letter is written from the perspective, or point of view, of Dominique Nafréchoux. Read the letter, and make a list of its key points. For each key point, think whether someone else (such as Dominique-François Mentor) might have had a different perspective that isn’t recorded here, and what it might look like.
Details
Date 1744
Materials - Paper
Transcript
Today the thirtieth of September one thousand seven hundred forty-four, I, [Dominique] Nafréchoux, certify that I have granted his freedom to Jean François Dominique Mentor, my negro, immediately upon my death in recompense for the good services he has rendered me and for the devotion and loyalty he has always shown in my service. This is my intention. He may take with him all he may require for his service. I leave him master of himself, free to go with whom he may see fit, continuing to live as an honest man and taking care to pray to God for me. I certify having recorded this in my commonplace book, folio 131.
Nafréchoux
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- This document freed a Black man from enslavement in New France.
- Dominique-François Mentor was granted freedom when his employer died in 1744.
- Mentor went on to work as a silversmith until his death in 1773.
- Slavery was legal in Canada until 1834, when it was outlawed throughout the British Empire.
This document emancipated, or freed, Dominique-François Mentor from enslavement upon the death of his master Dominique Nafréchoux. Marie Marguerite Rose likely had a similar document when she was freed.
After being freed, Mentor became an apprentice silversmith. He worked as a silversmith until his death in 1773.
Slavery of Black and Indigenous Peoples was legal in Canada until 1834. Some of those enslaved, such as Marie-Marguerite Rose and Dominique-François Mentor, were granted their freedom before this ruling. Many others lived their entire lives enslaved.
This is a deed of emancipation for an enslaved man named Dominique-François Mentor. Marie Marguerite Rose likely had a similar document when she was freed.
Also of African origin, Mentor was enslaved by Dominique Nafréchoux in Montréal. In 1744 (three years before he died), Nafréchoux wrote a letter stating that upon his death, Mentor would be allowed his freedom.
Once free, Mentor went on to become an apprentice silversmith. He worked as silversmith until he died in 1773.
Slavery of Black and Indigenous Peoples was legal in Canada until 1834, when it was abolished throughout the British Empire. Some of those enslaved, such as Marie Marguerite Rose and Dominique-François Mentor, were granted their freedom before this ruling. Many others lived their entire lives enslaved.
- This document freed a Black man from enslavement in New France.
- Dominique-François Mentor was granted freedom when his employer died in 1744.
- Mentor went on to work as a silversmith until his death in 1773.
- Slavery was legal in Canada until 1834, when it was outlawed throughout the British Empire.
This document emancipated, or freed, Dominique-François Mentor from enslavement upon the death of his master Dominique Nafréchoux. Marie Marguerite Rose likely had a similar document when she was freed.
After being freed, Mentor became an apprentice silversmith. He worked as a silversmith until his death in 1773.
Slavery of Black and Indigenous Peoples was legal in Canada until 1834. Some of those enslaved, such as Marie-Marguerite Rose and Dominique-François Mentor, were granted their freedom before this ruling. Many others lived their entire lives enslaved.
This is a deed of emancipation for an enslaved man named Dominique-François Mentor. Marie Marguerite Rose likely had a similar document when she was freed.
Also of African origin, Mentor was enslaved by Dominique Nafréchoux in Montréal. In 1744 (three years before he died), Nafréchoux wrote a letter stating that upon his death, Mentor would be allowed his freedom.
Once free, Mentor went on to become an apprentice silversmith. He worked as silversmith until he died in 1773.
Slavery of Black and Indigenous Peoples was legal in Canada until 1834, when it was abolished throughout the British Empire. Some of those enslaved, such as Marie Marguerite Rose and Dominique-François Mentor, were granted their freedom before this ruling. Many others lived their entire lives enslaved.
Summary
- This document freed a Black man from enslavement in New France.
- Dominique-François Mentor was granted freedom when his employer died in 1744.
- Mentor went on to work as a silversmith until his death in 1773.
- Slavery was legal in Canada until 1834, when it was outlawed throughout the British Empire.
Essential
This document emancipated, or freed, Dominique-François Mentor from enslavement upon the death of his master Dominique Nafréchoux. Marie Marguerite Rose likely had a similar document when she was freed.
After being freed, Mentor became an apprentice silversmith. He worked as a silversmith until his death in 1773.
Slavery of Black and Indigenous Peoples was legal in Canada until 1834. Some of those enslaved, such as Marie-Marguerite Rose and Dominique-François Mentor, were granted their freedom before this ruling. Many others lived their entire lives enslaved.
In-Depth
This is a deed of emancipation for an enslaved man named Dominique-François Mentor. Marie Marguerite Rose likely had a similar document when she was freed.
Also of African origin, Mentor was enslaved by Dominique Nafréchoux in Montréal. In 1744 (three years before he died), Nafréchoux wrote a letter stating that upon his death, Mentor would be allowed his freedom.
Once free, Mentor went on to become an apprentice silversmith. He worked as silversmith until he died in 1773.
Slavery of Black and Indigenous Peoples was legal in Canada until 1834, when it was abolished throughout the British Empire. Some of those enslaved, such as Marie Marguerite Rose and Dominique-François Mentor, were granted their freedom before this ruling. Many others lived their entire lives enslaved.