(SLAVERY & ABOLITION.) Indiana manumission deed for "Eli Rogers a man of color . . . after the

(SLAVERY & ABOLITION.) Indiana manumission deed for "Eli Rogers a man of color . . . after the expiration of eight years." Document Signed by John Rogers as manumitter, two witnesses, and a county clerk on verso. One page, 12 x 7½ inches, plus docketing and notes on verso; folds, foxing, minor wear. No place, 10 January 1825 This unusual deed of manumission stipulates that not only was the freed man required to perform eight more years of service, he was required to serve another man, not his owner--despite the owner's apparent religious conviction of the evil of slavery. The transaction was "between John Rogers of the County of Spencer and State of Indiana . . . and Eli Rogers a man of color. . . . Considering that by nature all mankind are free and equal & entitled by the laws of God to equal privileges, and that it is contrary to the laws of humanity for one portion of the human race to hold any other part in slavery & bondage, he therefore by these presents hereby liberates, sets free and emancipates the said Negro man Eli after the expiration of eight years from this day, during which time he the said Eli is to serve John L. Helm and at the expiration of said time he is to be free."
On the verso, a court clerk testifies that John L. Helm brought this "deed of emancipation" to the courthouse to be recorded in Hardin County, Indiana, 21 January 1833, eight years after the original document was written.