With slavery still in full swing at the time, I appreciate that my friend Jerome Montoya sent me a copy of an old document which speaks for itself. The following are the contents of the document.

Before me Charles Simmons exercising

the function of Secretary of the Island Saba.

Personally appeared the Honourable Edward Beaks Junior, Vice Commandant ad Interim of this Island who did acknowledge to have made, ordained, and by these presents do make, ordain, constitute, authorize and appoint Peter Petersen, Esq. merchant on the Island of St. Bartholemew to be his true, certain and Lawful Attorney for him and in his name and to and for his proper use and behalf to demand, levy sue for, recover and receive from Mr. Nathaniel Lawrence a free coloured man residing on said Island, the amount of one hundred and eighty dollars being the purchase sum of a Negro woman Fida as per bill of sale sold by said Nathaniel Lawrence to the Hon. Edward Beaks Junior and also giving and granting unto his said attorney Peter Petersen, Esq. full power and authority to act for him and in his behalf as if personally present – likewise attorney or attorneys under him to sit, substitute and regain to revoke and do hereby ratify and confirm all and whatsoever his said attorney or his substitute shall legally do or cause to be done in and touching the promise.

In witness whereof he hath hereunto set his hand in my presence and in presence of the two subscribed witnesses the fifteenth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.

Edward Beaks, Jr.

James Simmons

Thomas Dinzey Winfield

Charles Simmons, Secretary.

………………………………………………………………..

By virtue of the annexed power of attorney of the Hon. Edward Beaks Junior of Saba I do hereby substitute and appoint the Hon. Frederick L. Thustold Esq. of this island, to represent me in the claim against Mr. Nathaniel Lawrence, confirming and approving all and whatever my said attorney shall legally do or cause to be done in and respecting the same.

Witness my signature in Gustavia, Island of St. Bartholemew the seventeenth day of March Eighteen Hundred and twenty-five.

Peter Petersen

witnesses J.J. Brieertton

Iranlegered

*Footnote. Edward Beaks Jr. was relieved of his function by order of His Majesty the King of Holland in 1828 on charges of being the owner of a schooner involved in the Pirate Trade. At the same time he appointed the Senior Member of the Council Richard Johnson (my great great grandfather) as the new Vice Commandant of Saba

To me the document is not clear as to who was the seller and buyer of Fida. After I figue it out will come back to it and make the changes. Also, the names of the witnesses on St. Barth’s are not clear to me but will try and figure it out and make the necessary changes.

Will Johnson

Wallstreet 53, Windward Side, Saba