F I N I S.



CERTIFICATE.

Stonington, November 3, 1798.

These certify that VENTURE, a free negro man, aged about 69 years, and
was, as we have ever understood, a native of Africa, and formerly a
slave to Mr. James Mumford, of Fisher's-Island, in the state of New-
York, who sold him to Mr. Robert Stanton, 2d, of Stonington, in the
state of Connecticut, and said Stanton sold said VENTURE to Col.
Oliver Smith, of the aforesaid place. That said VENTURE hath
sustained the character of a faithful servant, and that of a
temperate, honest and industrious man, and being ever intent on
obtaining his freedom, he was indulged by his masters after the
ordinary labour on the days of his servitude, to improve the nights in
fishing and other employments of his own emolument, in which time he
procured so much money as to purchase his freedom from his late master
Col. Smith; after which he took upon himself the name of VENTURE
SMITH, and has since his freedom purchased a negro woman, called Meg,
to whom he was previously married, and also his children who were
slaves, and said VENTURE has since removed himself and family to the
town of East-Haddam, in this state, where he has purchased lands on
which he hath built a house, and there taken up his abode.

NATHAN MINOR, Esq.
ELIJAH PALMER, Esq.