John Hart bought a slave (a three year old Mulatto boy) from Samuel Vanoy. The document (provided by Irene Hart, now deceased) recording this purchase is undated, and so we do not know at what period of time he owned this child. The bill of sale is witnessed by J. L. Gatliff. We do not know how long he had this child, the conditions under which the child was raised nor of what use to work a three year old would have been to the family.
The original copy of the bill of sale was in the possession of Lydia "Irene" Hart of Ottumwa, Iowa. Irene is a descendant of Abraham Stowe Hart, the son of John Hart. Irene has passed away, and the location of the original document is unknown. The book "Descendants of Peter and Dority Hart 1740-1995" printed an old and faded photocopy, with the following transcription. This Bill of Sale is not recorded in Whitley County.
Bill of Sale
Samuel Vanoy
to
John Heart [sic]
Know all men by these present that I Samuel Vanoy of the County of Whitley and State of Kentucky for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and thirty dollars lawful money of the State of Kentucky to me in hand paid by John Heart of the County and State aforesaid the Samuel Vanoy do hereby acknowledge have this day bargained and sold and by these presents do grant and bargain sell and deliver unto the said John Heart his executors administrators and assigns one mulatto ____Slave Boy aged three years to have and to hold and singular the above slave to the said John Heart proper[?] use and benefit forever and the said Samuel Vanoy doth hereby agree to and with him the said John Heart that he will ever warrant and defend the right [?] ____ and increase of any from himself his heirs executors administrators and from the claim and ____ uses[?] of all manner of persons whatever in testimony whereof I have afixed my hand and seal.
Samuel Vanoy
wit:
J.L. Gatliff