DEMISE OF FRIENDSHIP PLANTATION OF THE ISLAND OF JAMAICA FOR THE TERM OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS UPON TRUST FOR SECURING DEBTS AS WITHIN: THIS INDENTURE MADE THE NINTH DAY OF AUGUST IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD [1823] BETWEEN GEORGE REID OF MINCING LANE IN THE CITY OF LONDON, MERCHANT OF THE FIRST PART, ROGER KYNASTON OF THE SECOND PART...THE FIRM OF SIR JAMES ESDAILE, ESDAILES, HAMMET AND COMPANY OF THE THIRD PART..WHEREAS GEORGE REID, FORMERLY OF THE PARISH OF TRELAWNY IN THE ISLAND OF JAMAICA BUT LATE OF WIVENHOE IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX IN ENGLAND, ESQUIRE, THE FATHER OF THE SAID GEORGE REID PARTY HERETO BEING SEISED OF OR ENTITLED TO A PLANTATION OR ESTATE IN THE SAID PARISH OF TRELAWNY CALLED FRIENDSHIP by [Reid, George]: - 1823]

[London:. 1823]. 23" x 30". [5] pp. Manuscript indenture on five sheets of vellum written on recto only, folded and attached at lower margins with seven red wax seals over green silk ribbons, two of which are signed George Reid and Roger Kynaston. Two leaves meticulously listing the names, ages, color, and race [mulatto, negro, or sambo] of 194 slaves, with remarks [typically the name of a parent]. Borders ruled in red, scalloped edge at head of first leaf. "This Indenture" at head of first leaf illuminated and decorated with law stationers' label of "Edwards & Evison, Stationers, Temple London." Affidavit attached with silk ribbon attesting to authenticity of signatures. Minor wear, Near Fine. George Reid, a principal in the West India mercantile house of George Reid and Company, entered into partnership with Roger Kynaston in 1815. Reid and Kynaston had each married a daughter of Sir Charles Oakley. Reid owned Friendship and Bunkers Hill estates. The extended Reid family also owned several other plantations in the area.  This instrument lists debts to be paid from the estate, and all the property to be taken into account: "all messuages, dwelling houses, negro houses, hospitals, warehouses, store houses, mills, mill houses, distilling houses, boiling houses, curing houses, refining houses... stills, still houses... also all and singular the negro and other slaves whose names and descriptions are contained in the schedules hereunto annexed being the registered names and descriptions of the slaves upon and belonging to the said plantation and lands respectively ..." Many slaves are listed with a single name followed by an alias, frequently with the surname 'Kidd'.  The firm of Sir James Esdaile, Hammet, Grenfell & Scott was established in 1782 under its original name of Esdaile, Hammet & Esdaile, undergoing several name changes over the decades. It was a private bank, connected with the Royal Bank of Scotland.