In 1778 "The Meeting directs that the sum of 30/ be raised for the payment of a book purchased for the purpose of Recording manumissions. John Payne is appointed to record them, and when accomplished to deliver the originals into the care of Micajah Crew according to the direction of the Meeting."
The following manumission paper is one of twenty-one issued about this time by Thomas Pleasants, the intimate friend of John and Mary Payne, and is signed by them as witnesses.
MANUMISSION PAPER.[13]
I Thomas Pleasants of Goochland County in Virginia from mature deliberate consideration and the convictions of my own mind being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural birthright of all mankind and that no Law moral or divine has given me a right to or property in the persons of any of my fellow creatures, and being desirous to fulfil the injunction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by doing to others as I would be done by. Do therefore declare that having under my care one negro woman named Betty aged about forty, I do for myself my Heirs Executors and administrators hereby release unto her the said Betty all my right Interest and claim or pretensions of claim whatsoever as to her person or to any Estate she may hereafter acquire without any interruption from me or any person claiming for by from or under me In WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of the 1st Month, one thousand and seven hundred and Eighty
Sealed and delivered
in presence of
Tho Pleasants (Seal) John Payne Mary Payne
John Payne likewise manumitted all his slaves before his removal to Philadelphia.
After the passage of the law of 1782 the Friends no longer hesitated, and their slaves, as far as permitted by law, were generally freed. At the same time their owners, who had thus made themselves obnoxious to their slave-owning neighbors, prepared to remove to a free state, the great majority to the west. John Payne had for some years been looking forward to a removal to Philadelphia, where his son Walter was already established in business.
Their movements about this time are definitely ascertained by a reference to the Quaker records:
Cedar Creek, 8 mo. 11, 1779—"By a report from Cedar Creek Preparative Meeting, it appears that Walter Payne has removed to Philadelphia. Micajah Terrel, James Hunnicutt, Moses Harris and Micajah Davis are appointed to prepare a certificate for him, and assign the same in behalf of the Monthly Meeting if nothing obstructs."
"On the 13th of 1st month, 1781, Mary Payne informed this meeting that she proposed in some short time a journey to Philadelphia, and requests a few lines certifying her right of membership with us."
Which certificate is directed to be drawn up and signed.
Elizabeth Drinker, wife of Henry Drinker, of Philadelphia, records in her diary:
1781, March 5—"Molly Payne spent ye day, and lodged with us. She and son Walter breakfasted ye 6th."