Casamentos de Escravos, Forros e Livres, 1781-1827

This volume contains marriage records of enslaved, freed (forro), and free individuals registered in the Church of São João Batista (Baptista) de Niterói-RJ and dating from 17 Sept 1781 through 22 Dec 1827. The opening charter was signed in Niterói on 16 Sept 1781 by visitador (visitor) Joam (João) Pinto Roiz. The closing charter was signed in the same location and date by Francisco Manoel de Souza, who initialed the folios of the volume. Entries were signed by the following clergy: Vicar Francisco da Silva Trancoso, Vicar José da Fonseca Valente, Coadjutor João Rabello Mello de Abreo, Vicar José Joaquim d'Avila, Vicar Luis Manoel Martins de Sá. The volume records pastoral visits conducted on 20 Sept 1781, 28 Feb 1784, 14 Mar 1787, 20 May 1791, 23 Nov 1795, 20 Jul 1799, 25 Apr 1803, and 21 Jul 1812. The people whose marriages are documented in this volume include Portuguese individuals, individuals abandoned (expostos) as children in the Santa Casa de Misericórdia or in private homes; Ensign João Antonio Correa Botelho, Ensign Manoel Antonio Coelho, Lieutenant Francisco Ribeiro de Faria, Colonel Manoel da Silva (?), and Lieutenant Pedro da Silva Barros. The volume also includes a marriage record of a wedding between an English man and a Brazilian woman; as the two were adherents of different religions, they had to receive special authorization in order to marry (fl 127f). Freed people contracting marriage include a bride whose parents were slaves of Captain Felis (ou Felix) de Souza Castro. In addition to the mother church, the volume documents marriages celebrated in the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Pendotiba. African ethnonyms/"nations" mentioned: Angola, Benguela, Congo, Ganguela, Guiné (Guinea), Moçambique (Mozambique), and Rebollo. Physical characteristics: The volume is comprised of 144 numbered, sequential folios. The cover and binding have been preserved and there is evidence that the volume was previously restored using Japanese paper. However, some of the folios present a number of holes and other signs of damage due to ingredients used in the original ink. Dimensions: 31cm x 22cm. Owner(s) of original material: Arquivo da Cúria Metropolitana de Niterói.