Dutchess County fs.–} In the case of Sam a man of colour otherwise called Sam Harris
on the twenty fifth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty one
appeared before me the undersigned first judge of Dutchess County Nathaniel P. Tallmadge who on
oath declared that he saw James Tallmadge Junior sign execute and deliver the within deed of
manumission [and] that he the said Nathaniel signed the same as witness: and the said Nathaniel
further testified that the within named Sam, otherwise called Sam Harris resided at the time of
such manumission with the said James as his slave, and that the said Sam hath since such
manumission acted and been accounted as a free man; from which testimony I am of opinion and
do accordingly certify that the said Sam is free according to the laws of this state — The said Sam was born in the city of New York, is now about forty three years old and became free on the sixth day
of December one thousand eight hundred and seventeen — is about five feet eight inches high, slim
built active in person small eyes and a scar on the left side of his neck.
James Emott
Recorded the above the 25h of April 1821