Slaves in Kentucky were emancipated by their owner petitioning the county court or being set free through a provision in the owner’s last will and testament. To guarantee the former slave would not become a charge upon the county, a bond with security was signed by a responsible local citizen. The following emancipations are recorded in Livingston County Court Order Book K. The notation at the end of each entry lists the date of the deed of emancipation and the book and page number in the court order book. For example, 5 June 1848, OB K:23 signifies the record is found in Book K, page 23, 5 June 1848. Sec: refers to the security on the bond.
It appearing that Bazel late the slave of Wm. Jenkins dec’d was by Jenkins’ last Will & Testament emancipated and John Smith, administrator with will annexed assenting, ordered that clerk of this court issue to Bazel a certificate of his freedom upon giving bond with security in penalty of $500 that Bazel not become a charge upon any county in this commonwealth. Bond given with Henry F. Given as security. Bazel is of following description: aged 37 years, 5 feet 11 inches high, light mulatto color with a large scar on his right wrist occasioned by a burn. [OB K:23] 5 June 1848.
A Deed of Emancipation from Levi Gordon (a free man of color) to his slave Harriet was produced in court and the clerk of court ordered to issue to Harriet a certificate of her freedom upon her giving bond with security in penalty of $500 conditioned that she shall not become a charge upon any county in this Commonwealth. Harriet is ascertained to be of the following description: aged 25 years, medium form, height 5 feet & ½ inches, dark mulatto color with 2 scars from a burn on her right arm & a scar on her right forefinger, also a small scar near the left eye. Sec: Richd. Moore. [OB K:24] 5 June 1848.
Also, on 5 June 1848, Richard Moore of Livingston County, Kentucky presented to the county court deeds of emancipation for six slaves: William, Lenoy, Homer, Philip, Augustus and Milton. Richard Moore signed security on the bond for each of the former slaves, stating that each person would receive a certificate of his freedom upon giving bond in the penalty of $500. A physical description completed each entry in the county court order book.
A Deed of Emancipation from Richard Moore to his slave William, who is aged 22 years, 5 feet 9 ½ inches high, light mulatto color, scar on his right knee which is somewhat stiff and of medium form. [OB K:28] 5 June 1848
A deed of Emancipation from Richard Moore of Livingston County to his slave Lenoy, who is aged 17 years, 5 feet 9 inches high, of medium form and of light mulatto color. [OB K:28] 5 June 1848
A Deed of Emancipation from Richd. Moore to his slave Homer,[1] who is aged 20 years, 5 feet 8 ½ inches high, of medium form and light mulatto color & with a scar or lump on outside of his little finger, it having been a small finger taken off in infancy. [OB K:29] 5 June 1848
A Deed of Emancipation from Richard Moore to his slave Philip, who is aged 19 years, height 6 feet, slender form, of light mulatto color and has a scar on the left hand near the root of his fore finger. [OB K:29] 5 June 1848
A Deed of Emancipation from Richard Moore to his slave Augustus, who is aged 13 years, height 5 feet, 2 inches, of medium form, of light mulatto color and no marks on his person. [OB K:30] 5 June 1848
A Deed of Emancipation from Richard Moore to his slave Milton, who is age 15, height 5 ½ feet high, medium form, of light mulatto color and a small scar on the back of his neck on the left hand side. [OB K:30] 5 June 1848
[1] 1850
Pope County, Illinois census, Roll 125, p. 265a, Ancestry.com. Homer is the only former slave of Richard
Moore who was located after being emancipated.
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