Frost’s Manumission of his Children

Although to the casual observer Frost appears to be an absentee father during the years that he most likely fathered children this was probably not so. Given his prominence as a Methodist itinerate preacher, he was very instrumental in purchasing the freedom of a number of his children and his residence remained very close to James Morris’s plantation where Frost’s wife was a slave and remained with her children.

However, due to the laws of slavery and personal property in Maryland at the time, we see on numerous occasions that although Frost purchased his daughter or son, they were sometimes not manumitted or freed until years later.

From various sources, we know that he had at least eight children; with at least the first four having been born before Frost was manumitted in 1828:

• Sue Pollitt – Birth year unknown.
• Charles Pollitt – Born 16 Feb 1817 in Salisbury, Somerset, Maryland, died 13 Jan 1908 in Salisbury, Wicomico, Maryland. Death Certificate obtained for Charles Pollitt which lists Frost Pollitt as his father and Easter Morris. His mother’s surname most likely came from her being known as a slave on James Morris’ plantation where she most likely died.
• George Pollitt – Born 15 Jun 1822 in Forktown, Worcester, Maryland, died 11 Dec 1908 in Peninsula General Hospital, Salisbury, Wicomico, Maryland. Death Certificate obtained for George Pollitt which lists Frost Pollitt as his father and states that his mother’s name was unknown.
• Milchah ‘Milkey’ Pollitt – Born abt 1824-1825. Mentioned in Frost’s 1868 will. 1893 Wicomico County Deed to John W Hitch from Charles Pollitt, George Pollitt and Mariah Leatherbury mentioned that it is land from that Stephen and Isaac were given by Frost’s 1868 will. 1860 Census establishes that Milkey was married to Levin Robinson / Robertson by that year.
• Stephen Pollitt – Born abt 1830. Mentioned in Frost’s 1868 will. Frost deeded land to son, Isaac in 1871 in Wicomico County, Maryland. 1893 Wicomico County Deed to John W Hitch from Charles Pollitt, George Pollitt and Mariah Leatherbury mentioned that it is land from that Stephen and Isaac were given by Frost’s 1868 will. 1870 Census lists Stephen Morris in the household of his brother-in-law, Ed Christpher, sister Ann Pollitt Chistopher, brother Isaac Morris, and father, Frost Pollitt in Nutter’s District, Wicomico County, Maryland. Stephen Morris was a recently freed slave having served on James Morris’ plantation and still retained the surname Morris although later he was known as Stephen Pollitt. I have found no record of his manumission.
• Mariah Pollitt – Born 20 Feb 1832 in Maryland, died 13 Apr 1905 in Salisbury, Maryland. Mentioned in Frost’s 1868 will. 1893 Wicomico County Deed to John W. Hitch from Charles Pollitt, George Pollitt and Mariah Leatherbury mentioned that it is land from that Stephen and Isaac were given by Frost’s 1868 will. This confirms that she was married to James Leatherbury by 1893. Death Certificate obtained for Mariah Pollitt Leatherbury which lists Frost Pullett as her father and Ester Burris as her mother, with the informant being her brother George in 1905. It is possible that George Pollitt either mispronounced the surname of his mother due to his advanced age or that he correctly knew his mother’s maiden name to be Ester Burris. Given that George’s Aunt Tamar Pollitt married Isaac Burroughs (alias Cathel) /Burrows /Burris, it is not a stretch to image that Ester and Isaac might have been related.
• Isaac Pollitt – Born abt 1832-1838. Mentioned in Frost’s 1868 will. Frost deeded land to son, Isaac in 1871 in Wicomico County, Maryland. 1893 Wicomico County Deed to John W Hitch from Charles Pollitt, George Pollitt and Mariah Leatherbury mentioned that it is land from that Stephen and Isaac were given by Frost’s 1868 will. 1870 Census lists Isaac Morris in the household of his brother-in-law, Ed Christpher, sister Ann Pollitt Chistopher, brother Stephen Morris, and father, Frost Pollitt in Nutter’s District, Wicomico County, Maryland. Isaac Morris was a recently freed slave having served on James Morris’ plantation and still retained the surname Morris although later he was known as Isaac Pollitt. I have found no record of his manumission and it is assumed he was freed in 1865.
• Ann Pollitt – Born abt 1835. Mentioned in Frost’s 1868 will. 1870 Census establishes that Ann was married to Ed Christopher by that year and that in the same house her brothers Isaac and Stephen Morris were listed as well as her father, Frost Pollitt.

The first child to be manumitted was his daughter, Milcha or Milkey, who was purchased from James Morris by William Freeny in 1844. William Freeny was related to James having married his niece, Anna Maria Morris, daughter of his brother, Levin Morris, who died in 1841. It was later on November 7, 1858 that Frost Pollitt & Levin Robertson purchased Milkey from William Freeny and in a separate act manumitted and granted her freedom that same day when she was thirty six years old.

The second child to be manumitted was his first born son, Charles. I have not been able to ascertain how Charles, who must have been a slave of James Morris, by Ester/Easter, wife of Frost, became the property of Jacob Riggin. However, it can be clearly seen that Frost purchases Charles, age 16 years, in 1834. It was not until 1845 that Charles reverts back to Frost’s ownership and enables Frost to manumit him when Charles is twenty-seven years old. In other research, it appears that Charles may have already been married to Miss Sarah Ann Houston, daughter of Levin Houston, one of the Free Black Founders of the African Church.

1844 James Morris sells Frost’s daughter Milcha, or Milkey, and her two children, to William Freeny
Reference: 7 Feb 1844 Bill of Sale William Freeny from James Morris, Somerset County Land Records, Liber BG, folio 119 & 120

NOTE: Negro woman Milkey (Milchah Pollett) and her two children, Violet Ann and another six month old child, sold by James Morris to William Freeny, February 7, 1844. Milkey was the daughter of the Rev. Frost Pollett.

Folio 119
Bill of Sale William Freeny from James Morris
Know all men by these presents that I James Morris of Worcester County State of Maryland for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred dollars current money to be in hand paid by William Freeny of County and State aforesaid,at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof I the said James Morris do hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents, do grant, bargain, and sell, unto the said William Freeny his executors, administrators and afsigns, one negro woman Milkey and her two children one named Violet Ann, and the other about Six months old, the name not recollected but the youngest child of the said Milkey all Slaves for life.
To Have and To Hold all and singular the said Negroes, above bargained and sold, to the said William Freeney, his executors, administrators, and afsigns forever; and I the said James Morris for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, all and singular the said negroes unto the said William Freeny his executors, administrators, and afsigns, against me the said James Morris my executors, administrators, and afsigns, and against all and every other person or persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents: In Witnefs whereof I the said James Morris hath hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of February 1844.

Signed sealed and delivered in
Presents of E. Owens

James Morris Seal

State of Maryland Somerset County to wit: Be it remembered and it is hereby certified that on this 7th day of February 1844 before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace of the said State in and for the County afsd personally appeared James Morris he being known to me and professing to be the party grantor in the above Bill of Sale and acknowledged the said Bill of Sale to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. Acknowledged before

 

E. Owens J.P.

February the 13 day Anno Domini 1844 then was delivered unto me the subscriber the aforegoing Bill of Sale in order to be enrolled among the records of Somerset County which said Bill of Sale together with the acknowledgement thereof thereon endorsed is accordingly enrolled among the same records in Liber B. H. folios 119 & 120 on the day and year aforesaid.

Examined Per

Levin Handy Clk

1858 Bill of Sale
Reference: Deed 1858 Somerset County, Maryland Land Records, Frost Pollitt & Levin Robertson Bill of Sale from William Freeny, Liber LW 5 f 435 & 436

Folio 435
Bill of Sale Frost Pollitt & Levin Robertson from William Freeny
I William Freeny of Somerset County and State of Maryland in consideration of various causes me there to moving & especially in consideration of Frost Pollitt and Levin Robertson having raised certain negro children for me until they arrived at eight years of age & their undertaking to raise the youngest child of Milchah herein named until it is eight years old. I do hereby bargain and sell unto the said Frost Pollitt & Levin Robertson my negro woman Milcah wife of said Levin and have delivered her to them. Witnefs my hand and seal this seventh day of January 1858.

Test. H. Laird Todd	William Freeny Seal
Theo. R. Smith

State of Maryland Somerset County to wit: I hereby certify that on this 7th day of January 1858, before me the subscriber a justice of the peace of Somerset County State of Maryland personally appeared William

Folio 436
Freeny, the grantor of the above bill of Sale and acknowledged the aforegoing bill of Sale to be his act.

 

Before H. Laird Todd

January the 14th day Anno Domini 1858 Then was delivered unto me the subscriber the aforegoing Bill of Sale in order to be enrolled among the records of Somerset County: which said Bill of Sale together with the acknowledgement thereof therein endorsed is accordingly enrolled among the same records in Liber L.W. No. 5 folios 435 & 436 on the day and year aforesaid

 

Per Levin Woolford Clk

1858 Deed Frost’s manumission of his daughter Milcha Robertson
Reference: 7 Jan 1858 Milcha Robertson manumission from Frost Pollett and Levin Robertson, Worcester County, Maryland Land Records, Liber WET 1 f. 66

NOTE: Negro woman Michah Robertson, age 36, as of 1858; born about 1822; manumitted on January 7, 1858. Milchah Pollett Robertson was the daughter of the Rev. Frost Pollett and the wife of Levin Robertson (var. Robinson).

Folio 66
Deed of Manumission Milcha Robertson Frost Pollett and Levin Robertson

Know all men by these presents that we Frost Pollett and Levin Robertson for divers good causes and considerations us thereto moving have manumitted & Set free & by these presents do manumit and set free our negro woman Milchah This day conveyed to us by bill of Sale from Mr. William Freeney of Somerset County Maryland the said negro woman being now about thirty six years of age & her freedom to commence from this day.

Witnefs our hands & Seals this 7 day of January 1858	Frost Pollett by his mark	Seal
Test Thos B. Smith	Levin Robertson by his mark	Seal
Levin T. H. Irving

State of Maryland Worcester County to wit

I hereby Certify that on this 7th day of January 1858 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the State of Maryland

Personally apeared Frost Pollett & Levin Robertson and respectively acknowledged the aforegoing deed of Manumission to be their act & Deed.

 

Before Thos. B. Smith J.P.

January the nineteenth day Anno domini 1858 there was delivered unto me the subscriber the aforegoing deed to be enrolled among the records of Worcester County which said deed together with the acknowledgements thereof thereon endorsed is accordingly recorded in Liber W.E.T. No. 1 folio 66

 

W. E. Timmons J.P.

1834 Receipt for his son, Charles Pollitt
Reference: Receipt Frost Pollitt from Jacob Riggin 1 Jan 1834 for purchase of Negro Boy Charles aged about sixteen years a slave for life, his son, Worcester County, Maryland Land Records, Liber AZ f 484

 

Salisbury, January 1st, 1834

Received this day from Frost Pollett the sum of Three hundred Dollars it being in full for the purchase of Negro Boy Charles aged about sixteen years a slave for life and I do hereby neamant (?) and defend the right of said Boy to said Frost against all and every person whatsoever, As witness by my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Witnefs George Todd

Jacob Riggin Seal

January the third day Anno domain eight hundred and Thirty four there was delivered unto me the subscribed the foregoing receipt in order to be enrolled among the Records of Worcester County; which said receipt is accordingly recorded among the same Records in Liber AZ, folio 484. John C. Handy Clk

1845 Manumission of his son Charles, later to be the Rev. Charles Pullett
Reference: 15 Feb 1845 Manumission of Negro Charles from Frost Politt, Somerset County, Maryland Land Records, Liber BH folio 399-400

NOTE: Negro Charles, son of Frost, listed as age 27 in 1845, therefore he was born ca. 1818

folio 399
Manumission Negro Charles from Frost Pollitt
Know all men by these presents that I Frost Pollitt of Worcester County and State of Maryland for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving have manumitted liberated and set free, and by these presents do manumit liberate & set free from Slavery Negro boy Charles my son, which said negro boy is now twenty seven years of age, and was purchased by ne of Jacob Riggin, as will appear by his bill of Sale to me duly recorded among the records of Worcester County aforesaid, & which said boy was afterwards mortgaged by me to Isaac Burroughs and David Vance as will appear by Mortgage Bill of Sale duly recorded among the records of Worcester County aforesaid, and which said boy was afterward to wit, on the second day of January eighteen hundred and thirty seven, sold and conveyed by Bill of Sale of that date to William H. Rider, by the said Isaac, David and myself for eight years, with reversionary right to myself as will appear by said Bill of Sale duly recorded among the records of Somerset County and State of Maryland, the said Negro boy Charles to have and to have and to enjoy his freedom for this day forth. In witness whereof I the said Frost Pollitt have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this fifteenth day of February eighteen hundred and forty five.

Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of E. Owens Wm. H. Handy

Frost X Pollit by his mark SEAL

State of Maryland Somerset County to wit: Be it remembered that on this fifteenth day of February eighteen hundred and forty five personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the State and county aforesaid, Frost Politt grantor above named, and acknowledged the above deed of manumission to be his act and deed, and the boy Charles therein named to be free from Slavery.
E. Owens J.P.
March the 11th day Anno Domini 1845 then was delivered unto me the subscriber the foregoing

Folio 400
Foregoing manumission in order to be enrolled among the records of Somerset County, which said manumission together with the acknowledgement thereof thereon endorsed is accordingly enrolled among the same records in Liber BH. Folio 399 on the day and year aforesaid.
Examined & delivered

 

per Wm. T.G. Polk Clk

During the American Civil War, fought in part over the issue of slavery, Maryland remained in the Union, though many of her citizens (and virtually all of her slaveholders) held strong sympathies towards the rebel Confederate States. Maryland, as a Union border state, was not included in President Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in Southern Confederate states to be free. Slavery would hang on in Maryland until the following year, when a constitutional convention was held which culminated in the passage of a new state constitution on November 1, 1864. Article 24 of that document at last outlawed the practice of slavery. Thus, the remaining children of Frost Pollitt would have obtained their freedom on November 1, 1864: George, Stephen, Mariah, Isaac, and Ann.