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Nottingham letter

• Transcript of the document

[Back to Baptisms of black servants & slaves]

Transcript

Nottingham July 20th 1768

My Lord

A Gentleman who lives in my parish of St Mary has a Negro Servant whom He brought hither about five years ago from the East Indies, and desires that He may be baptized. I believe the young man is about twenty two years old, and his Master gives him a very good Character for his Honesty and sobriety. I have frequently talked with Him, and found Him very ignorant and slow in Apprehension; but He now seems to understand, in some degree, the first Principles of the Christian Religion, and is very desirous of being baptized as soon as may be. If Your Grace is pleased to give me leave to comply with his Request, I will take care to examine Him and give him some further Instructions, and I believe He will use his best Endeavours to prepare Himself for the receiving of Baptism . – agreed to –