Frost Pollitt as a Free Black Land Owner: Land purchases and sales

Frost Pollitt’s first purchase of land occurred shortly after his 1828 manumission when he purchased 90 acres of a tract of land called Hold Fast in Worcester County, Maryland for $550.00 current money that had been owned by William Pollitt’s father, Thomas Pollitt. Thomas had devised it to his daughter Leah Pollitt, the wife of Elzey Foxwell. Shortly after 1831, Elzey and Leah Foxwell migrated West and eventually settled in Lincoln County, Missouri by 1838.

Frost had managed to save up $550.00 in just a little over three years. That was probably slightly more than he was worth as a slave at that time to give you a perspective.

1831 Deed Frost Pollitt purchases Hold Fast, 90 acres from Elzy Foxwell and wife

Reference: 17 Jun 1831, Worcester County, Maryland Land Records, Liber AX f. 164, 165, 166. [Leah Pollitt Foxwell was William Pollitt’s sister. Elzy and Leah Foxwell remove shortly thereafter to Lincoln County, Missouri, taking Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Heath Pollitt, with them were Betsey died in 1839 even though her will was probated in Somerset County, Maryland.]

folio 164
This Indenture made this seventeenth day of June in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one between Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife of Somerset County in the state of Maryland of the one part, and Frost Pollitt of Worcester County and State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars current money of the

folio 165
United States to them in hand paid by the said Frost Pollitt before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof they the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife do hereby acknowledge, and from every part or parcel thereof do hereby acquit, _____ and discharge the aid Frost Pollitt his heirs, Executors and administrators, they the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife have granted bargained sold aliened enfeofed and confirmed by these presents do grant bargain, sell alien, enfeoff and confirm unto the said Frost Pollitt his heirs and assigns a part of a Tract of Land called “Hold Fast” containing ninety acres more or less, being and lying in Worcester aforesaid, adjoining the lands of James Morris and John E. Pollitt together with all the singular he buildings improvements, woods, ways, waters, and water courses, rights, liberties, privileges, heriditancent and appurtenances whatsoever, thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and remaindered unto issues and profits thereof and all the estate, right, title and interest whatsoever of them the said Elzey Foxwell and his wife both at Law and in Equity of in to and out of the said part of a Tract of Land, and promise whereby bargained and sold,______ or intended hereby so to be and every or any part and parcel thereof: To Have and To Hold the said part of a Tract of land so as aforesaid described called “Hold Fast” or be whatsoever name the same may be called, together with the buildings and appurtenances, and all and singular other the premises hereby bargained and sold or meant mentioned or intended, hereby so to be, and every part and parcel thereof, with their and every of them appurtenances unto the said Frost Pollitt, his heirs and assigns forever and to and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever and the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, do hereby covenant, grant, promise and agree to and with the said Frost Pollitt his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns that they the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife and their heirs, the said part of a Tract of Land and promise hereby granted bargained and sold and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Frost Pollitt, his heirs and assigns, against them the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife and their heirs and against all and every person or persons whatsoever claiming or to claim by from through or under them or either of them any right title or interest in and to the same, or any part thereof shall and will hereafter warrant and forever defend these presents.
In Witness whereof the said Elzey Foxwell and Leah his wife have hereunto subscribed their names and affixed their seals this day and year first herein above written.

Signed, sealed and delivered	Arthur Lankford	Elzey Foxwell     SEAL
In the presence of us	Elijah C. Johnson	Leah Foxwell     SEAL

State of Maryland Somerset County to wit. Be it remembered that on this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty one, personally appeared Elzey Foxwell of Somerset County, the party grantor within named before us the subscribers Two of the Justices of the peace of Somerset County and State aforesaid and acknowledged the within deed or instrument of writing to be his act and deed and the Lands and premises therein mentioned and thereby bargained and sold to be the right and estate of the within named Frost Pollitt party grantee also therein named his heirs and assigns

folio 166
forever according to the perfect true intent and meaning of the said Deed or instrument of writing and the acts of Assembly in such cases made and provided. And now at the same time also personally appears Leah Foxwell wife of the said Elzey Foxwell before us two Justices of the peace as aforesaid and acknowledged the said Deed or instrument of writing to be her act and deed and the Lands and premises therein mentioned to be the right and estate of the within named Frost Pollitt his heirs and assigns forever, and the said Leah Foxwell being by us privately examined apart from and out of the hearing of her husband whether she doth make her acknowledgement of the same willingly and freely and without being induced thereto by fear or threats of ill usage by her husband or hear of his displeasure.

 

Arthur Lankford
Elijah C. Johnson

Taken and certified the day and year above written
June the eighteenth day Anno Domani Eighteen hundred and thirty one then was delivered unto me the subscriber the foregoing Deed in order to be enrolled among the records of Worcester County which said Deed together with the acknowledgement thereon therein endorsed are accordingly recorded among the same records in Liber AX folios 164, 165, & 166.

 

John Handy, Clk

Less than three years later in 1834, Frost manages to save enough money to purchase his son, Charles, aged 16 years, from Jacob Riggin for $300.00. On a side note, I have never been able to trace how Charles became the property of Jacob Riggin. If Frost’s wife remained the property of James Morris, all of her issue would have belonged to James Morris. At some point, James Morris must have sold Charles to Jacob Riggin between 1817 and 1834 and the Bill of Sale was never recorded.

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

Within eight months of Frost’s purchase of his son in 1834, something must have gone terribly wrong. Frost had managed to save up and spend $850.00 in just a little over six years. That was probably slightly more than Frost and his son were worth as slaves at that time to give you a perspective. Suddenly Frost must have found himself deeply in debt. On August 2, 1834, Frost mortgages his 90 acres of land called Hold Fast to Noah Rider of Salisbury. Two days later, Frost sells his son to David Vance (a known White Methodist man of standing in Salisbury) & Isaac Burroughs (a Free Black man, and his brother-in-law) for $300.00. Evidently, this was to preclude his creditors from seizing his person property, his son Charles. Even though Charles was Frost’s son, he had not yet been manumitted and under current Maryland law remained Frost’s personal property. A Mortgage Deed in 1837 finally reveals that Frost owed a Henry Hutt of Worcester County, Maryland money. This final deed shows that Frost Pollitt and Isaac Burroughs (alias Cathell) of Worcester County and David Vance of Somerset County sell Negro Charles, aged nineteen to Dr. William H. Rider for a term of service of eight years until the second day of January 1845, at which time title to Negro Charles shall revert back to Frost Pollitt. Charles Pollitt would have been 27 at the end of service to Dr. Rider. The supporting deeds follow.

1834 Frost mortgages Hold Fast 90 a to Noah Rider for debts he owes including chattel
Reference: Mort. Deed 2 Aug 1834 Hold Fast 90a, Noah Rider from Frost Pollitt, Worcester County, Maryland Land Records, JCH No. 1 f. 140-142

This Indenture made this second day August eighteen hundred and thirty four between Frost Pollitt free colored man of Worcester County and State of Maryland of the one part and Noah Rider of Salisbury and Somerset County and State aforesaid of the other part.
Whereas the said Frost Pollitt by his writing obligatory duly executed bearing the date the second 2nd day of August eighteen hundred and thirty four stands indebted to the said Noah Rider or his order the full sum of four hundred dollars current money with legal interest thereon to be price paid to the said Noah Rider when thereunto afterwards he should be legally required as by the said writing obligatory may more fully appear.
Now This Indentures witnefseth that the said Frost Pollitt in consideration of the said sum of four hundred dollars owing to the said Noah Rider as aforesaid and for the better securing the payments thereof with interest to the said Noah Rider his executors administrators in order according to the tenor of the said writing obligatory and also in consideration of the further sum of one dollar current money to him in hand paid but the said Noah Rider to the aforesaid Frost Pollitt at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt thereof is

folio 141
acknowledged by the said Frost Pollitt hath granted, bargained and sold, released and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, and sell, release and confirm unto the said Noah Rider his heirs and afsigns all that part of a tract of land lying situated and being in Worcester County aforesaid called and known by the name “Hold Fast” or by whatsoever name or names the same may be known or called and known, it being the lands and Real Estate of which the said Frost Pollitt is seized or pofsefsed in said County containing ninety acres more or lefs, reference being that to a deed from Elzey Foxwell to the aforesaid Frost Pollitt more fully appears also two horses, two yoke of oxen, one cow & calf, one timber cart, two wain carts, two sows and twenty one shoats. To Have and To Hold the said tract of land and the said personal property with the appurtenances thereto belong to the said Noah Rider his heirs and afsigns forever to this own use and belief: Provided always that it is the true intent and meaning of these presents and the said parties hereto that if the said Frost Pollitt his heirs, executors & administrators, do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Noah Rider his heirs, executors, admin’s and afsigns the sum of four hundred dollars current money with legal interest on the same and on or before thirty five yerthants any deduction or abatement whatsoever there and from thence forth these presents and every matter and thing therein contained shall cease and be utterly void and of no effect anything therein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise not withstanding. In Testamoney whereof the said Frost Pollitt hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first herein before written.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presents of Sam’l Melson and Joseph Leonard

 

Frost Pollitt X his mark SEAL

State of Maryland Worcester County} Be it remembered that on this second day of August, eighteen hundred and thirty four personally appeared before us the subscribers two Justices of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for Worcester County, Frost Pollitt the party bargain herein mentioned, and acknowledged this indenture or instrument of writing to be his act and deed according to the perfect, true intent and meaning thereof and the acts of afsembly in such case made and provided. And we further certify that we of our own personnel knowledge know that Frost Pollitt, who signed this indenture or instrument of writing, and the said Frost Pollitt who made this acknowledgement, is one and the same individual.

Taken and certified by us	Samuel Melson
	Joseph Leonard

Folio 142
$400. For value rec. I promise to pay Noah Rider or order four hundred dollars. As my hand & seal this second day August 1834.

Test. Edward U. Blake	Frost Pollitt X by his mark SEAL
Sam’l Melson

August the nineteenth day Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty four thus was delivered unto me the subscriber the foregoing deed in order to be enrolled among the Records of Worcester County: which said deed, together with the acknowledgement thereof thereon endorsed and are singly recorded among the same Records in Liber JCH No. 1, folios 140, 141, & 142.

 

John C. Handy, Clk

1834 Bill of Sale Selling Frost’s son to David Vance & Isaac Burroughs
Reference: 4 Aug 1834 Bill of Sale Negro Boy Charles to David Vance & Isaac Burroughs from Frost Pollitt, Worcester County, Maryland Land Records, JCH 1, f 108-109

folio 108
Know all men by these presents that I Frost Pollitt of Worcester County in the State of Maryland for and in consideration of Three hundred dollars current money to me in hand paid by Isaac Burroughs of the County and State aforesaid and David Vance of Somerset County and State aforesaid on or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge have granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said Isaac Burroughs and David Vance their heirs, executors, administrators and afsigns one Negro boy named Charles, which said boy I bought of Jacob Riggin, and the said Isaac Burroughs and David Vance became my suretys for the purchase money and now to save them from harm I have bargained and sold the said boy to them the said Isaac Burroughs and David Vance to them their heirs and afsigns there only proper use and benefit, so that they, my said suretys be kept from harm and damage and sureties for me, and I Frost Pollitt for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators shall and will warrant and defend the said boy by these presents from all persons claiming any right or title to the same from by or through me the said Frost Pollitt until the money is paid. In witnefs whereof he hath set his hand and seal to this instrument of writing the fourth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty four 1834.
Signed, Sealed and delivered
In presence of Elijah Ennifs Frost Pollitt X his mark SEAL
Rufus M. Ennifs
Maryland Worcester County to wit. On the fourth day of

folio 109
August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty four before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County appears Frost Pollitt and acknowledged the within instrument of writing to be his act and deed according to the true intent and meaning thereof and the acts of Assembly in such case made and provided.
Acknowledged Before me Elijah Ennifs
August the eleventh day Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty four then was delivered unto me the subscriber the foregoing Bill of Sale in order to be enrolled among the Records of Worcester County: which said Bill of Sale together with the acknowledgement thereof thereon endorsed are accordingly recorded among the same Records in Liber JCH No. 1, folios 108 & 109.

 

John C. Handy Clk

1837 Frost along with Isaac Burroughs & David Vance sell Frost’s son Charles to Dr. Rider
Reference: Bill of Sale Frost Pollitt, Isaac Burroughs & David Vance manumission from Charles Pollitt to Wm H. Rider, Somerset County, Maryland Land Records, Liber GH No. 8 folios 526 & 527 (Microfilm MSA CE 102-62) Land Records

NOTE: Negro boy Charles, son of Frost Pollitt, age 19 years, born about 1818; purchased by Frost Pollitt as a slave for life from Jacob Riggin by a Bill of Sale; sold by Frost Pollitt to David Vance and Isaac Burroughs as a Mortgage; sold by Frost Pollitt, David Vance and Isaac Burroughs to Dr. William H. Rider for a term of service of eight years until the second day of January Eighteen hundred and forty five, at which time title to Negro Charles shall revert back to Frost Pollitt. Charles Pollitt would have been 27 at the end of service to Dr. Rider.

Folio 526
Bill of Sale Frost Pollitt & others to Wm. H. Rider County
Know all men by these presents that we Frost Pollitt and Isaac Burroughs (alias Cathell) of Worcester in the State of Maryland, and David Vance of Somerset County and State aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars current money to them in hand paid, at and before the signing, sealing and delivery of these presents by Dr William H. Rider of the Town of Salisbury of Somerset County and State aforesaid, the receipt of which said sum of money is hereby acknowledged by them the said Frost, Isaac, and David and themselves therewith to be fully Satisfied Contented and paid and the said Dr William H. Rider his heirs Executors and administrators to be forever discharged there from, have at Somerset County aforesaid, bargained and sold, and by these presents do bargain and sell unto the said William H. Rider his executors and administrators and assigns, for the term and period of eight years from the date hereof Negro boy Charles the son of the said Frost Pollitt, which said Negro is now of the age of Nineteen Years and was purchased by the said Frost Pollitt as a Slave for life from a Certain Jacob Riggin, by a bill of Sale, duly recorded amongst the records of Worcester County, and which said Negro boy Charles was sold by the said Frost to the said David Vance and Isaac Burroughs as a Mortgage, by a bill of sale duly recorded amongst the records of Worcester County aforesaid to keep the said David and Isaac harmlefs as the securities of the said Frost to a certain Henry Hutt of Worcester County, and which said sum of two hundred dollars is paid by the said Wm H. Rider to the said David Vance, as one of the securities of the said Frost, with the approbation of the said Frost and Isaac testified by their Signing and Sealing these presents, it being the amount of principal due the said Henry Hutt from the said Frost and the said David and Isaac as the said Securities of the said Frost To have and to hold the said Negro boy Charles unto him the said Dr William H. Rider his Executors and administrators and assigns for and during the period and term of service of Eight Years from the date of these presents, to wit till the second day of January Eighteen hundred and forty five, and after that period the reversionary interest to be and remain in and to the said Frost Pollitt his Executors and administrators and assigns of an into the said Charles here bargained and sold and the said Charles is to serve the said William H. Rider for and during the said term of Eight Years his heirs executors administrators assigns as a good and faithful

Folio 527
Servant and Slave, the said William during the whole of said term of Eight Years to trust the said Charles as a Master should trust his servant and we the said Frost Pollitt, David Vance and Isaac Burroughs have put the said William H. Rider in full possession of said Negro boy Charles.
In testimony whereof the said Frost Pollitt, Isaac Burroughs, (alias Cathell) David Vance and William H. Rider the parties hereof have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seals this Second day of January Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and thirty seven

Signed sealed and delivered in	Frost Pollitt by his mark Seal David Vance Seal
The presence of John Rider	Isaac Burroughs (alias Cathell) by his mark Seal
	William H. Rider Seal

Somerset Count State of Maryland Sc:
Be it remembered that on this Second day of January Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the State and County aforesaid Frost Pollitt, Isaac Burroughs (alias Cathell of Somerset County and State of Maryland, David Vance and Dr. William H. Rider of Somerset County and State aforesaid the parties to this bill of sale, and acknowledge that the same Bill of Sale to be their act and deed according to the purport true and meaning of the same, and the acts of assembly in such case made and provided Acknowledged before me & certified by me.

 

John Rider J.P.

January the 10th day Anno Domini 1837 Then was delivered unto me the subscriber the foregoing 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 G. H. No 8. Folios 526 & 527 on the say and year aforesaid.

 

Per Geo. Handy Clk

1858 Deed Frost purchases Morris Conclusion 15a from William P. Morris & wife
Reference: 11 Jan 1858 Deed Frost Pollitt purchases Morris Conclusion 15 a. from William P and Mary C Morris, Worcester County, Maryland Land Records, Liber WET No 1, f 65

NOTE: William P. Morris was the son of James Morris and named after James’ uncle, William Pollitt.

Deed Frost Pollett from William P. Morris Mary C. Morris
This deed made this Eleventh day of January Eighteen hundred and fifty eight by William P. Morris and Mary C. Morris of Worcester County and State of Maryland Witnefseth that in consideration of the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars the said William P. Morris and Mary C. Morris his wife have granted and by these presents do grant unto Frost Pollitt (free colored man) of Worcester County and State aforesaid, all that lot or parcel of land situated in Worcester County aforesaid, being part of a tract of land Called Morris Conclusion and more particularly described as follows Beginning at a point two and one quarter poles on the seventeenth line of the Aforesaid tract of land thence by & width said line reversed North forty four degrees & thirty minutes cast seventy six and one quarter perches thence North thirty five degrees West Eighteen perches thence North one degree thirty minutes West six & three quarter perches_____
To an old cart road thence by & with said road North thirty six degrees & thirty minutes west thirty five and one quarter perches and thence with a straight line drawn to the beginning containing fifteen acres of land more or lefs and the said grantors Covenants to Warrant and defend the same to the said Frost Pollitt his heirs, & assigns forever against all persons claiming the same Witnefs our hands & seals this day & year first herein written.

Test. Robert T. Staton Justice of	William P. Morris Seal
the Peace in & for Worcester County	Mary C. Morris Seal
	William H. Rider Seal

State of Maryland Worcester County to wit: I hereby certify that on this Eleventh day of January 1858 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the said State & County personally appeared William P. Morris and Mary C. Morris his wife and did severally & respectfully acknowledge the aforegoing deed to be their act.

 

Acknowledged before Robert T. Staton Justice of
The peace in & for Worcester County

January the nineteenth day Anno domini 1858 there was delivered unto me the subscriber the aforegoing deed to be enrolled among the Land 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 65.

 

W. E. Thumins Clerk

1871 Deed 1871 Frost sells land to sons Stephen and Isaac Pollitt
Reference: Deed 12 Jan 1871 Stephen and Isaac Morris from Frost Pollitt, Wicomico County, Maryland Land Records, Liber TFJR 2, f 417

Deed Isaac Morris & Stephen Morris From Frost Pollitt
This deed made this 12th day of January 1871 by Frost Pollitt, of Wicomico County, in the State of Maryland, witnefseth for and in consideration of the Love and affection I have for my two sons, Isaac & Steven Morris and the further consideration of the said Isaac & Stephen Paying to my Daughter Maria Leatherbury the sum of fifty dollars, I the said Frost Pollitt, do grant unto the said Isaac & Stephen Morris, all the land I own East of a line drawn South 20 East from Levin Robertson’s gate post by a large chestnut tree & Holly to James Morris’ Except an acre of land this day deed by me to Ann Christopher to said Isaac & Stephen Morris as tenant in common in fee simple. Witnefs my hand and seal.

Test. Wm J. Riggin Lemuel Malone	his Frost x Pollitt mark Seal

State of Maryland, Wicomico County to wit:
I hereby certify that on this 12th day of January 1871, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, personally appeared Frost Pollitt and acknowledged the foregoing deed to be his act.

William J. Riggin J. P.

July 1st day, Anno Domini 1871, then was delivered unto me, the subscriber, the aforegoing deed, in order to be Enrolled among the Land Records of Wicomico County which said Deed together with the acknowledgement thereof therein endorsed is accordingly enrolled among the same Records, in Liber TFJR No. 2, folio 417.

 

Thomas F. J. Rider, Clk

1871 Deed Frost sells one acre of land to daughter Ann Christopher
Reference: Deed 12 Jan 1871 Ann Christopher from Frost Pollitt, Wicomico County, Maryland Land Records, Liber TFJR2, f. 418

Deed Ann Christopher From Frost Pollitt
This deed made this twelfth day of January 1871 by Frost Pollitt, of Wicomico County, in the State of Maryland, witnefsethfor the sum of twenty five dollars and the Love and affection I bear to my daughter Ann Christopher, wife of Edward Christopher of said county and State, I the said Frost Pollitt, do grant unto the said Ann Christopher and her heirs, all that Lot of Land which the improvements thereon where the said Ann Christopher now resides Containing one acre of land. Beginning at a post Standing at the South West Corner of the said Ann’s yard thence running North 55° East 11 ½ poles to the road thence by and with said Road South 35° East 14 poles to a Stak thence south 55° degrees West 11 ½ poles to a small red oak sapling thence N 35° W 14 poles to the beginning in fee simple. Witnefs my hand and seal.

Test. Wm J. Riggin Lemuel Malone	his Frost x Pollitt mark Seal

State of Maryland, Wicomico County to wit:
I hereby certify that on this 12th day of January 1871, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, personally appeared Frost Pollitt and acknowledged the foregoing deed to be his act.

William J. Riggin J. P.

July 1st day, Anno Domini 1871, then was delivered unto me, the subscriber, the aforegoing deed, in order to be Enrolled among the Land Records of Wicomico County which said Deed together with the acknowledgement thereof therein endorsed is accordingly enrolled among the same Records, in Liber TFJR No. 2, folio 418.

 

Thomas F. J. Rider, Clk