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| The following counties may not be all inclusive of Wills and Deeds. Researchers should check with the County Courthouse to review the documents on file there. |
| Surry County Wills, etc Deeds No. 11 1778-1783 LVA Reel #7 p. 235 will of Samuel Pretlow of Surry leaves wife Kezia plantation in NC and no claim to any Va property to son Samuel plantation SP lives on and the labor of my Negroes Robin, Judy, Isaac and Amy until they become free agreeable to the manumissions I have given under my hand and seal gives son Benjamin land bought from Wm Hamlin, my lot in Petersburg and 50acres, reserved out of land sold to Samuel Webb-also labor of four Negroes Betty, George, Sam and Billy until they become free to dau Ann150L specie and labor of John, Sally, Lecretia and Nelson until they become free to dau Mary 150L specie and labor of Moses, Joe, Tom and Tabb until they become free to dau Jane 150L specie and labor of Lucy, Stephen, Charlotte and Peg until they become free witnesses Edward Stabler Jos G. Bailey and execs Thos Pretlow and Anselm Bailey affirm 14 Nov 81 rec 23 April 82 p. 270 inv of Pretlow s estate lists 28 slaves and appraisers note on p. 273 that the Negroes mentioned in this inventory having been emancipated by Samuel Pretlow before his decease we think they cannot properly be deemed a part of his estate save what may arise for the labour of nineteen of the young Negroes who have some time to serve, nor do we coment to their being inserted in the inventory 25 June 82 p. 285 Samuel Bailey of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others frees Natt aged abt 65; Harry abt 60; York abt 60;Hagar abt 55; Bett abt 51; Judy abt 43; Casear abt 38; Metto? abt 34; Lucy abt 31; Jasper abt 25; Jenny abt 25; Doctor abt 22; Hannah abt 22; Joan abt 24; Annaky abt 20; Selah abt 18 and Lyddy abt 18; and having 27 in their minority, reserving guardianship until males are 21 and females are 18 frees Fanny abt 16 on 20 May 84; Charles abt 15 on 8 May 88; Milly abt 14 on 19 Nov 86; Effy abt 13 on 2 Nov 87; Tillar abt 13 on 1 Dec 87; Edy abt 12 on 1 Oct 88 ; Rose abt 11 on 30 Nov 89; Tom abt 10 on 25 Feb 93; Sue abt 10 on 28 May 90; Sam abt 10 on 30 Nov 93; Cate abt 10 on 20 Dec 90; Cherry abt 8 on 30 Nov 92; Bridget abt 8 on 30 Dec 92; Aaron abt 7 on 18 Dec 96; Isaac abt 6 on 20 Nov 97; Parrot abt 6 on 26 Nov 97; Nedd abt 6 on 10 Dec 97; Delphy abt 4 on 6 Dec 96; Bett abt 4 on 15 Dec 96; Natt abt 3 on 8 Dec 1800; John abt 3 on 18 Dec 1800; Beck abt 2 on 12 Oct 98; Silvy abt 1 on 10 June 99; Jacob abt 1 on 15 Aug 02; Judy abt 5 mos on 9 Feb 00; Mike abt 4 mo on 16 Mar 03; and Charlotte abt 4 mos on 28 Mar 00 15 July 1782 rec 27 Aug 82 p. 287 Anselm Bailey of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Ben abt 42; Lucy abt 40; Silva abt 30; Bett abt 28;dinah abt 24; Ellie abt 21; Pollina abt 18. Having 21 in their minority reserves guardianship etc frees Aaron on 1 Jan 86, Isaac on 1 Jan 88, Priss on 1 Jan 85, Jim son of Lidia on 1 Jan 88, Ben on 1 Jan 90, Frank on 1 Jan 87, Cate on 1 Jan 90, Moses on 1 Jan 95, Jesse on 1 Jan 96, Tamer on 1 Jan 93, Mourning on 1 Jan 94, Linn on 1 Jan 97, Patience on 1 Jan 94, Angee on 1 Jan 95, Crecia on 1 Jan 96, Jim son of Bett on 1 Jan 99, Esther on 1 Jan 97, Willis on 1 Jan 1800, Rachael on 1 Jan 99, Michael and Exum both on 1 Jan 1802 22 Aug 1782 rec 27 Aug 1782 p. 288 Richard Rowell of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Sam 56; Sarah 55; Henry 48; James 37; young Sam 32; Moses 30; Herculas 27; Amey 25; Edith 19 and having 7 others in their minority reserving guardianship etc frees Jacob 20 on 15 Jan 83; Salgal 16 on 18 Mar 85; Dafney 13 on 10 July 87; Tiller 11 on 12 Dec 89; Trecy 5 on 20 Sept 95; Charlotte 2 on 19 Aug 98; Daniel 1 on 22 Dec 1802 26 Aug 1782 rec 27 Aug 1782 p. 289 Robert Hargrave of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Jeffry aged abt 60; James abt 50; Sarah abt 48 and reserving guardianship etc frees Roger on 1 Jan 1785 and Nann 1 Jan 89 22 Aug 1782 rec 27 Aug 82 p. 290 Hartwell Hargrave of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro man Arco aged abt 46 2 Aug 82 rec 27 Aug 82 p. 291 Celia Hargrave of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Lucy aged about 25 and 5 in their minority reserving guardianship etc Moses on 1 Jan 92; Esther on 1 Jan 92; Sarah on 1 Jan 95; Daphny on 1 Jan 97 and Peyton on 1 Jan 1803 22 Aug 1782 rec 27 Aug 1782 p. 292 Mary Hargrave of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro woman Fanny and 3 in their minority reserving guardianship Tom on 1 Jan 87; Ben on 1 Jan 1801; and Stewart on 1 Jan 03 22 Aug 1782 rec 27 Aug 82 p. 348 will of Daniel Pond of Surry gives his wife Mary the authority to free his Negro woman Venus and her increase at any time she thinks fit 28 July 82 rec 25 Feb 83 Surry County Deed Book 12 1783-1787 LVA Reel #18 p. 19 Benjamin Spratley of Surry fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right and doing unto others frees 11 Negroes viz: Will aged 34; Natt, 27; Lucy, 37; Betty, 26; Simon, 15 [17 Feb 1789]; Jane, 11[ 17 Aug 90]; Mary, 8[ Jan 93]; Sally, 5[ Mar 96]; Cuffy, 6 [1 July 98]; Annaky, 3[ in 98]; and Judy, 6 mo[ in May 1801] for those in minority, reserves guardianship until males 21 and females 18 not all have specific dates 28 Oct 1783 rec 25 Nov 1783 p. 69 Agatha Cornwell of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro girl named Edy abt 14 yrs old and reserving guardianship until 18 which will be 1 Aug 1788 22 Nov 1784 rec 23 Nov 1784 p. 147 Matthew White of Perquimons County, NC freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro man Moses abt 20 yrs old witnesses are Aron Cornwell who affirms and Benjamin White who swears 30 Nov 1784 rec 22 Nov 1785 p. 228 John Warren Jr of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro boy Philip aged 2 years 12 April last when he is 21-24 Oct 1786 rec same p. 240 Benjamin White of Perquimons Co NC freedom is natural right and doing unto others frees Negro man Caesar aged abt 23 22 Dec 1786 rec 27 Feb 1787 affirmed by Aaron Cornwell and Jacob White p. 240 Jacob White of Perquimons Co, NC freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro man Isaac aged abt 26 22 Dec 1786 rec 27 Feb 1787 affirmed by Aaron Cornwell 242 Robert Ryland gave me his bond for the sum of 11 pounds and for the clothes and taxes of my Negro fellow Abraham for the year 1785, which bond I have mislaid. Sworn to before F. Hubard. The above sworn to before me James Southall At a court held for Surry County 27 Feb 1787 the within certificate of F. Hubard and certified by James Southall a Magistrate of the City of Williamsburg was presented in court by Robert Ryland and on his motion it is ordered to be recorded. Received June 5th 1786 of Mr Robert Ryland by the hands of Mr John Pettway 11 pounds for the hire of my Negro fellow Abraham hired to the said Ryland for 1785 F. Hubard Surry County Deed Book 13 1788-1792 LVA Reel #18 p. 58 Anselm and Hannah Hargrave manumit and set free from bondage our 7 Negroes vizt: Sarah aged 55; Henry aged 50; Kate aged 45; Patt aged 16; Venus aged 14; Aaron aged 12 and Kate aged 10. Aaron at 21 and Patt, Venus and Kate at 18 23 June 1788 rec 27 Jan 1789 Joseph Bailey and Richard Wren two of the witnesses affirm p. 66 Mary Ryland the elder and Mary Ryland the younger (of Richard Ryland, dec d) of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro woman named Rachel aged 36 last August and two girls in their minority viz Lucy aged 12 next August and Nancy aged 10 yrs next September when they turn 18 17 Jan 89 rec 28 April 89 and Robt Ryland came into court and entered security that Lucy and Nancy would not become chargeable to the parish p. 104 Mary Ryland widow of William, and Thomas Parfield Ryland her son, all of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others frees Negro man Randolph aged abt 25 yrs 22 June 88 rec 23 June 89 p. 162 Mary Judkins of Surry persuaded that freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees 2 Negroes, Hannah aged 43 and Anyky aged 20 and three in their minority viz Tom who will be 21 in March 1804; Fec who will be 21 in April 1807 and Betty who will be 18 in January 1807 27 Oct 89 rec 22 Dec 1789 p. 163 Charity Smith of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro woman 21 yrs old last July and Negro girl Sarah when 18 on 15 Mar 1805 24 Sept 89 rec 22 Dec 1789 p. 166 George Gardner of Surry after deliberate consideration of the practice of slavery concludes that it is altogether contrary to the Laws of nature, reason and religion; and an unlawful infringement of the natural rights of all mankind and as the civil laws allow me the liberty..frees Rachell of full age; Molly in 1792, David in 1798; Margaret in 1799, and Isham in 1808 who are under age 26 Jan 1790 rec same p. 200 James Judkins of Surry frees Negro Ben abt 38 23 Feb 1790 rec 22 June 1790 p. 200 James Judkins of Surry frees Negro Lucy abt 28 23 Feb 1790 rec 22 June 1790 p. 201 James Judkins of Surry frees Negro Tiller [female] 23 Feb 90 rec 22 June 1790 p. 202 James Judkins of Surry frees Negro boy David aged abt 13 when 21 reserves guardianship--23 Feb 90 rec 22 June 1790 p. 266 Thomas Clary of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Ben aged 20 yrs when 21 in May 1789 26 May 88 rec 26 April 91 Surry County Deeds No.1 1792-1799 LVA Reel # 19 p. 4 John Davis, Sr of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc-frees Negro man Mingo aged abt 65 yrs 22 June 92 rec 26 June 92 p. 9 Henry Moring of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Negro man Bob Rivers abt 41 or 42 yrs of age which I bought at public auction and have had in my possession for 20 yrs 10 July 92 rec 24 July 92 p. 235 I Richard Mackie formerly of Nansemond County Virginia now in Glasgow being at present in sickness of body but of sound mind and memory having long resolved to reward with freedom my two faithful slaves vizt: James a seaman or waterman and Nelly a woman house servant, both of which slaves I brought from Africa when I followed that inhuman trade ( of which I now declare my detestation) and who afterwards serve me in New York and in several voyages and whom I left in the neighborhood of Cabin Point in Virginia near four years ago. Therefore I do now give the said James and Nelly their freedom and declare them free persons, I also declare any children the said Nelly may have born to be free......appts Thomas Peter, Jn Alexander or Robt Kennon to be atty s to accomplish the recording of this in any county court 11 Dec 1793 presented in court by Thomas Peter, gent and rec 27 Jan 1795 p. 267 William Ruffin of Surry in consideration of the good services heretofore rendered me by my Negro man Cuffy alias Isaac and for divers other good causes frees him 24 April 1795 rec 29 April 1795 p. 347 John Warren of Surry freedom is natural right so emancipates Pleasant aged abt 30; Joe and Dick abt 28 yrs old; and Jesse aged 22; and 6 in their minority viz; Effy, Tempy, Dick, Judah, Nat and Amy when males 21 and females are 18 31 Dec 95 rec 23 Feb 1796 p. 373 Thomas Clary of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc-frees Negro man Moses aged 28 28 May 1796 rec 28 June 96 p. 464 Nancy X Eaton of Surry freedom is natural right so frees Negro man Jacob aged 54 yrs 23 Feb 1797 rec 28 Feb 97 Surry County Deeds No.2 1799-1804 LVA Reel # 19 p. 1 Mary X Alexander of Surry freedom is natural right-frees Lucy abt 48; George abt 46; Daphney abt 29; Bob abt 29; Qually abt 26; Dick abt 22; and Little Dick abt 22; and those in minority, reserving guardianship ie Jenny on 15 Feb 1800; Sam on 20 Oct 06; Mima on 5 Jan 07; Lucy on 5 Jan 07; Nancy on 9 Aug 07; Moses on 4 Jan 13; Lizza on 10 July 12; Allen on 1 Dec 18; and George on 18 Feb 1820 ie males at 21 and females at 18 28 Jan 1800 rec same p. 10 Christopher S. Morings of Surry frees Amy abt 31 to be free on this 22 April 1800 and Gray who is abt 2 yrs old to be free at 21 yrs of age 22 April 1800 rec same p. 119 Anaca X Bailey of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others frees Negro man Mike aged abt 36 27 Oct 1800 rec 24 Feb 1801 p. 129 Thomas Peter frees Negrom man Anthony aged abt 36 yrs old 24 Feb 1801 rec same p. 191 Whereas Richard Cocke Jr late of Surry dec d did by his last will and testament among other things direct that the woman Becca and her son Robert Kennon which I have bought of John H. Cocke paid 100L as per receipt shall be free immediately and whereas the said John H. Cocke who was at that time in his infancy has since attained the age of 21 and has by deed bearing date 26 Oct 01 released all right etc so William Taliaferro admin of will of Richard Cocke frees said woman Becky and her child Robert Kennon 27 Oct 1801 rec same p. 489 William Edwards of Surry for and in consideration of the many faithfull services rendered by Betty one of my female slaves and in order to reward her..do emancipate her no age given 25 April 1804-rec same p. 490 James Bell of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others frees Negro man Scipio 25 April 1804 rec same p. 511 Whereas John Wilson by his last will gave unto Elvire Wilson his wife the use and labor of all his Negroes during her natural life and after her death that all of them should be free and whereas Elvire is willing and desirous to liberate and set free at this time one of the Negroes ie Bob so does so 24 July 1804 rec same Surry County Deeds No. 3 1804-1811 LVA Reel #20 p. 16 Laodicea X Edwards of Surry freedom is natural right frees Negro Bruton aged 30 26 Feb 1805 rec same p. 26 John Holt of Surry for divers good causes frees after 1 Jan 1811 Negro man Lemas, supposed to be 24 yrs of age 26 Feb 1805 rec same p. 67 Elvire Wilson who received slaves for life from husband John in his will who are to be freed after her death, frees Negro woman Sue, one of the aforesaid slaves 23 July 1805 rec same p. 73 John Moring of Surry sets free "a parcel of Negroes as they come to age and time hereafter to be mentioned;" Hannah, Patrick, Cherry, Jordan and Charlotte to be free without day; Isabell to 22 be free 1 Nov 1807; Carter to be free 16 Aug 12; Polly to be free 1 April 14; Burwell to be free 10 April 22; Maria to be free 25 Dec 22; Willis to be free 11 April 1824 23 July 05 rec same note says Examined and delivered or sent to Wm A Graham of Hillsboro, NC atty for Polly alias Polly Bailey one of the grantees per his letter filed this 3 July 1840? p. 127 Thomas Peter frees Charles, alias Charles Sebrell a dark mulatto aged at 36 yrs, 5'8" high, the said Charles being purchased by TP from Mr Nathaniel Sebrell a per bill of sale of this date 25 Feb 1806 rec same clerks note says deed of emancipation from Thomas Peter, gent to Negro man Charles alias Charles Sebrell p. 128 Josiah Wilson of Surry from mature deliberation and consideration frees Negro girl Linder aged abt 6 it is his wish to keep the said Negro girl Linder while she arrives to the age of 18 or married 25 Feb 1806 rec same p. 130 whereas Etheldred Lancaster, decd late of Norfolk County being possessed in his lifetime of a Negro man slave named Abel did sometime before the death agree to emancipate the said Abel he paying to the said Lancaster the sum of 40L, a part of which sum was actually paid before the death of Lancaster, his heirs had ack receipt and now willing that the contract be complied with have on receiving the balance transferred all their right, title and claim to the said Abel to me John White of Surry to be by me emancipated so does Abel is aged from the information White can get abt 43 yrs old 24 Feb 1806 rec 25 Feb 1806 p. 137 Sarah Nicholas of Surry for good conduct and other good considerations frees Negro woman Phillis or Phillis Ruffin 7 Jan 1806 rec 22 April 1806 p. 141 Henry Gray of Surry for divers good causes frees Negro woman slave Priscilla aged abt 41 22 April 1806 rec same p. 632 Fanny X James of Surry for divers good causes frees Negro man Toney aged abt 50 yrs and who I purchased from Samuel Hargrave by bill of sale dated 26 Nov 1801 26 Feb 1811 rec 7 Surry County Deeds No. 4 1811-1815 LVA Reel #20 no deeds of manumission in index and a scan of the film found none Surry County Deeds No. 5 1815-1818 LVA Reel #21 p. 361 whereas Richard Cocke Jr late of the county of Surry decd did by his last will and testament bearing date 4 Oct 1800 and duly recorded directed that the whole of my estate real and personal except what I give away should be kept together under the direction of my execs heretofore named for the support and education of Robert Kennon until the said Robt Kennon shall attain the age of 21 yrs or until his death whichever shall first happen, if the latter it is my desire that my execs do emancipate and set free all my Negroes above the age of 21 (males) or 18 (females) and others when they reach majorities; but if the said Robt Kennon should live to attain the age of 21 then I desire the Negroes may be freed in the same manner except said Robt Kennon shou d keep the young ones until they arrive to the ages first for their freedom by me and no longer and since Wm Taliaferro, one of the execs has lately died and the admin of estate of Richard Cocke has been granted to Eliza Hartwell Taliaferro of Caroline County and since Robt Kennon has lately ie on 8 April turned 21, she frees the slaves all above the age of 21 viz: Beck, Aggy, Paul, Caesar and Simon all of which have been in Surry since death of Richard Cocke 29 April 1817 rec 7 May 1817 p. 538 Samuel Pretlow of Surry freedom is natural right and doing unto others frees Negro girl named Amey abt 13 guardian until 18 13 Nov 1781[yes 1781] rec Nov 23, 1818 the witnesses Edmd Stabler and Jos G. Bailey being dead, Archibald Davis and Robt S. Bailey deposed that Bailey s signature is his End of Surry County Deed Book Abstracts Surry County Will Book No. 12 1783-1792 LVA Reel 3 p. 20 James Davis of Surry County gives 5 slaves to heirs, leaves one to his widowed daughter-in-law until marriage or death, then directs that she be sold, and sells two it is my further will and desire that my executors shall sell all my Negroes at private sale, allowing them the liberty of choosing their own Masters My will and desire is that my Negro wench Lucy may be set free agreeable to the Laws of Virginia by my executors 9 Dec 83 rec 24 Feb 84 inventory p. 42 lists 8 slaves including a Lucy p. 206 John X Cheatham of Surry County I give and bequeath to my loving wife Martha Cheatham my two Negroes Sue and Sall, to be by her set free or otherwise disposed of as she may at any time think fit. Being convinced that freedom is the natural right of all mankind, on which account I am much distressed in mind respecting the slaves I now possess, and in order to provide for their future releasement as far as at this time appears practicable, I do hereby vest full power and authority in my wife Martha Cheatham and my two sons James Cheatham and Stephen Cheatham for either of them and in case of the death of the other at any time hereafter to set free or to divide them and their future increase, except the above named Sue and Sall, among my children or such of my children as they may think fit, but that none of them, my said slaves, shall be on any account sold at any time hereafter 30 March 88 rec 27 Jan 89 inventory p. 305 lists 17 slaves p. 301 Samuel Bidgood I desire that all the rest and residue of my estate be sold for twelve months credit and after my just debts is paid I give the rest of my estate to my daughter Polly Wren Bidgood to her and her heirs forever and it is my will and desire that if my daughter Polly Wren Bidgood should die before she comes to lawful age or marry that my Negro Sam shall be free and that Elizabeth Gray Supo should heir the whole of my estate 10 March 91 rec 27 Sept. 91 p. 319 James Gilchrest if case my sister has left no child, I give the above mentioned to my boy Billy Buck, the white son of servant Fanny, except 25 pounds to Dew Graham I give and bequeath to my black smith Jack his freedom after being hired out three years after the first of January 1790 with bond and approved security which hire I give to my boy Billy Buck, at the same time if Jack don t think fit to accept offer he shall continue as slave for life, if he chooses to be a freeman I give him the set of smith tools that is with him and five pounds to buy him provision to live on the first year. Let Jack have choice of master yearly but not to hire himself. I give to my boy Billy Buck his freedom after my death it also my desire that the same Billy Buck shall be put to school after he is old enough to be taught to have as good an English education as can be got in Virginia, but I rather would have him sent home to Glasgow to be taught there as he will have a sufficient fortune to support him. I give and bequeath to my servant Fanny her freedom immediately after my death is known, also I give Fanny twenty five in cash to begin to keep house with after her freedom. I give and bequeath to my faithful servant Sarah her freedom after the first of January 1790, I also give her the year hire with Mr. Thomas Peter which is 5 pounds payable on the first of January next. I give and bequeath to all the rest of Fanny s children, to say Nancy, Glasgow, Jenny, Charlotte, their freedom after they are the age of twenty one years, but to be hired out till that time to people that will do justice by them, let them have always choice of a master, except Glasgow, which is not to be free till Billy Buck is twenty one years old. Of the above hire money, I give to my boy Billy Buck. I give and bequeath to my boy Billy Buck the Negroes following, vizt, blacksmiths Charles and Ben to be hired out till my boy Billy Buck is 21 years of age at which they are to have their freedom, and five pounds cash to be paid them the 1st of January following after Billy is of age, which will be 19 years after the third day of April last. If they don t think proper to accept my offer, they shall be slaves for life. The hire money of Charles and Ben I give to my boy Billy Buck. Let the above Negroes have choice of a master during their servitude. Take bonds with approved security from year to year, but not to let them hire themselves. I give my Negro boy Lewis to my boy Billy Buck but to be hired out till Billy comes of age, the boy to be left in Fanny and Sarah s care till he is able to be hired out. The only Negro belonging to me not mentioned, which is not fit for anything but to be a slave, named Sal, I desire her to be sold on long credit, but to have choice of a master with bond and approved security which bond I give to my boy Billy Buck. I give and bequeath to my Billy Buck all bonds and accounts due me or maybe due me on the 1st day of January 1790 to be applied to his use also my furniture in my room to say 6 table silver spoons, 5 tea ditto, one bed and furniture, one desk and bookcase, 2 tables, and 6 chairs to be put in the care of his mother Fanny except the silver spoons with my silver watch and gold seal which Mr. Thomas Peter or his lady Mrs. Peter will be kind enough to take care of for him till he comes of age. But on a second thought concerning my boy Billy Buck, if school masters here in Virginia don t do justice by him in his schooling, Mr. Thomas Peter or his lady shall please to send him to Glasgow or any other place in Scotland where justice will be done him in his education which I leave this boy entirely in their care to do by him as they think fit but I wish him to be sent home to Scotland by that time he is 12 years old to finish his education, if his estate will afford it. Mr. Peter will please to send him to the college of Glasgow. I wish him to be taught church music also and dancing. Mr. Thomas Peter or his lady will please to have him boarded in creditable house or where he may learn something I give to my servant Fanny to be delivered to her after my death my bed, also may be delivered to Fanny with a pair of good bed blankets 15 May 89 (continued) since my return from Britain I bought a piece of land from David Putnee, which if no other will is made, I give part of it, say 80 acres, to Fanny during her natural life, at her death to Billy Buck, to which I give the whole of my lands which I may die possessed of also my stock of trade with Mr. Johnson and profits thereof my desire that my executors may buy such a piece of land, as that land Patent, Short, sold Richard, and Shackleford for the use of Fanny and Sarah to be paid in bond by the same if possible to raise the children on if any of my Negroes should refuse to comply with my desire, it is my desire the said Negro or Negroes should be slaves for life - 14 June 90 rec 28 Feb 92 p. 331 George X Gardner I give unto my daughter Sarah Gardner the use and care of a Negro girl Margaret which I have manumitted until she shall arrive at the age of freedom, but if my said daughter should die before the said Margaret is free my will and desire is that my wife and daughter Elizabeth have the care and management of her until she arrives to age 19 Oct 90 rec Feb 20 92 Surry County Will Book No. 1 1792-1804 LVA Reel 8 p. 1 Martha X Drew of Surry County I give and bequeath to my son John Drew my two Negroes to wit. Harry and Fanny to him and his heirs forever, but in case the said John Drew should die before he arrives to the age of twenty one years or married it is my will and desire that the said Negroes Harry and Fanny should be emancipated and set free agreeable to the laws now existing 12 March 92 rec 25 Sept 1792 p. 17 Nicolson Watkins of the county of Surry and parish of Southwark It is my will and desire that my Negro boy Davy shall have his freedom after he arrives to the age of twenty one years 14 Dec 90 rec 22 Jan 93 p. 27 Mary Revely of Surry county - I give my Negro man by the name of Castilio After his serving Thomas Bland this year whom he now lives with his freedom forever 31 Jan 93 rec 26 Feb 93 p. 141 Robert Pyland of Surry County I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sally during her natural life my Negro woman Sucky and at her death to be at her own liberty 23 Nov 95 rec 26 April 96 p. 169 Samuel Bailey of Surry I give to my daughter Margaret Bailey three young Negroes until they arrive to the age of freedom. 22 March 96 rec 27 Sept 96 p. 361 William Browne of Surry--I emancipate and set free my servant Simon and old Gilly The latter I desire may remain on the plantation during her life and be supported out of my estsate I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally during her life the following Negroes, to wit. Woodley, Silvia and her children, namely Jenny, Rose, Moses, and Sally Ann, Maria, the wife of Simon and her child Mary Ann, and at the death of my said daughter I emancipate and set free the said Woodley, Silvia, Jenny, Sally Ann, Maria and her child Mary Ann, and all the future progeny of the said females and I then give and bequeath the above mentioned boy Moses to William Ruffin son of Theoderick B Ruffin and his heirs, and the aforesaid girl Rose and such issue as she may then have to Jane B. Ruffin daughter of the said Theodorick B Ruffin and her heirs wants his Negro man Woodley to be kept by Nicholas Faulcon as a hostler or hired out for that purpose as the said Faulcon may think proper other provisions for slaves to be kept together until distributed to William Browne son of Henry Browne late of Norfolk also wants Simon to continue at plantation with Faulcon but if latter chooses not to live there then execs to get some decent and discreet person to live there and for Simon to continue to assist in taking care of house and furniture and to be paid annually a compensation equal to his services -- 14 Nov 99 rec Dec 24 99 p. 447 Mary X Alexander of Surry I lend to sister Mourning Edwards (furniture, a horse, and money)...and after her death what shall then be in being it is my will and desire that it may be sold by my executors and equally divided among my nephew and nieces hereafter named, and all 4 the Negroes hereafter named Negroes George, Lucy, Bob, Qually, Daphne, Dick, and Dick (commonly called little Dick), also Sam, Jenny, Mima, Lucy (the younger), Nancy, Moses, and Eliza. It is my will and desire and I do by this my last will and testament liberate and set free from slavery the following Negroes, to wit., George (abt 42 yrs), Lucy (abt 44 yrs), Bob (abt 25 yrs), Daphney (abt 25 yrs), Qually (abt 22 yrs), Dick (abt 19 yrs), little Dick (abt 19 yrs), Jenny (abt 15 yrs), Sam (abt 10 yrs), Mima (abt 8 yrs), Nancy (abt 8 yrs), Moses (abt 6 yrs), Lucy (the younger) (abt 8 yrs), and Eliza (abt 3 yrs) as fully and freely as if they had been born free it is my will and desire and I do hereby direct that all that part of my estate given to the Negroes now under the age of twenty one years to wit Dick, little Dick, Jenny, Sam, Mima (the younger), Nancy, Moses, and Eliza be retained in the hands of my executors for the purpose of indemnifying the parish until they shall severally arrive to such age and on the arrival of each of them to such age my executors shall pay to each person so aged his or her proportion then remaining in their hands, but in case any of the aforesaid infant Negroes should die before they arrive to such age in that case my will and desire is that his or her parts shall be equally divided among the aforesaid 10 Jan 97 rec 26 Aug 00 p. 471 Richard Cocke Jr. secondly that the woman Becky and her son Robert Kennon which I have bought of John Hartwell Cocke and paid one hundred pounds for as per receipt shall be free immediately, then I request that the whole of my estate real and personal except what I shall particularly give away should be kept together under the direction of my executor hereafter named for the support and education of Robert Kennon until the said Robert Kennon shall attain the age of twenty one years or until his death whichever shall first happen, if the latter it is my desire that my executors do emancipate or set free all my Negroes above the age of twenty one years the males and the females above the age of eighteen years, keeping those under such ages until they arrive to the same, and as they may to be freed in the same manner as the others, but if the said Robert Kennon should live to attain the age of twenty one years, then I desire the Negroes may be freed in the same manner except that Robert Kennon should keep the young ones until they arrive to the ages fixt for their freedom by me and no longer 4 Oct 00 rec 24 Feb 01 p. 477 Joel Wall of Surry County I do emancipate and set free my two Negroes James and Phillis from all claims of my heirs and successors forever. I do leave the use of my Negro boy Archer to my loving wife Rebecca until he shall arrive to the age of twenty on years and the said Archer to be free from my heirs or any other person or persons whatsoever. My desire is that my executors should emancipate and manumit the above Negroes according to law 10 May 99 rec 24 Feb 01 p. 559 John Wesson of Surry County At the decease of my wife it is my will and desire that all the slaves which I now own and their increase may receive their freedom on the following conditions, and whereas among those there may be some who from old age or bodily infirmity that will be unable to support themselves, it is my will and desire that such may receive from my estate so much as is sufficient with their own honest laborings to keep them sufficiently, this to be determined on by my executor, if alive or the acting overseers of the poor for Surrry county if he is dead, and all those that are forty two years old are to receive ten pounds each the first day 5 of January after my decease for them to begin with and such thereof as is under age that have no parents living or if living or unwilling or unable to provide for them, shall be bound by the court until they shall arrive at the age of twenty five years (the Negroes thus bound are by the masters or mistresses taught to read the bible), but further it is my express will and desire that if any on or more of the above slave shall be so imprudent and fool hardy as to act any unlawful or criminal act against their said mistress or any one also, that if they should escape the halter, that then he she or they shall be sold for and on account of my estate and to be thereby removed out of this county or state and further should my wife after my decease desire to emancipate all or any part of the said Negroes it is my will and desire that she may do so whether old or young ones, but should she do so, it is to be understood that they are to be emancipated agreeable to this present clause leaves some land to the Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church for the support of orphan children of Methodists or the poor (no signature) rec 22 June NOTE: microfilm of the later pages of this book are very light and not easily read Surry County Wills, etc No. 2 1804-1815 LVA Reel # 9 p. 87 will of Robert Jonathan of Surry gives to his loving wife Mary her freedom during her natural life and to be emancipated according to law gives hhd property etc to wife to son Robert Jonathan his freedom when he is 21 confirms to him what already given if Robert dies without heirs then his estate to be divided among three daus ie Susanna, Hickabeck and Fanny in case or should my above named daughters either of them be sold and sent out of the state as far out of their knowledge, that they are to be deprived of the above gift and those that remain in this part of the state to receive or be entitled to the same names friend Abram Williams and John H. Bell as execs 27 Dec 1805 rec 25 Feb 1806 p. 176 inv of Robert Jonathan s estate total value is L177.9.2 including One Negro woman Mary and child named Bob valued at 75L inv dated 28 April 1807 rec same p. 194 estate acct of Robert Jonathan estate sale produces 107L plus and some accts collected after debts paid etc the estate has 12.9.61/2 no indication of the sale of Mary or Bob in the estate acct they seem not to be included acct recorded 28 July 07 p. 357 will of Henry Deborix of Surry bequeaths to Mr. William Allen s Negro woman Fanny, whom I have for a wife all my property that I have of every species after Dr. Wm Cocke s acct is paid nominates Richard Shackleford esq of Pr. George to be his exec 1 June 1810 rec 24 July 1810 p. 498 will of Josiah Wilson of Surry leaves numerous slaves to his heirs sets free a Negro woman by the name of Janny who is of a dark complection and about 29 yrs of age also one hundred pounds in cash to her and her heirs forever, provided she takes the advantage of the law of the state I give and bequeath to Linda a girl of yellow complection which I emancipated some time past a certain tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less which land formerly belonged to Laurance Baker and was bought by me at sheriff s sale I also give to the 6 said Linda the following Negroes to wit: Ruffin and Ann Margreat to her and her heirs forever...if Linda should die before she becomes of lawful age or have issue from her body then my son John to get 100L and son Samuel get 150 acres and son James gets Ruffin and Ann Margreat wants above mentioned Janny to have the care of her dau Linda until she marries or of lawful age 3 Dec 1809 rec 22 Dec 1812 inv appears in Will Book 3, 23 dated 28 Dec 1812 included are Janny at $200, Ruffin at $250 and Ann Margaret at $200, all listed together among 32 other slaves rec 22 May 1815 total value of estate in excess of $24,842 end of book Surry County Wills etc No. 3 1815-1821 LVA Reel # 9 p. 1 will of Anselm Bailey leaves land etc to various individuals I give to Dinah a free woman of colour $200 to be paid her in ten equal installments I give to Silva a free woman of colour $100 to be paid in 5 equal installments I give to Anselm Hargrove 50$ [no race mentions] I give to Watson and Elam two free boys of colour $40 each to be laid out in their educations by John Z Pretlow 29 Jan 1815 rec 27 Feb 1815 p. 425 will of Walter Faulcon of Surry has schooner to be sold named John and Mary his bricks, scantling etc to be sold for debts and legacies and rest of estate kept together until the death of Negroe woman Jenny (the cook) and my girl Matilda Ann Rebecca dau of said Jenny desires that servant Jenny now my cook shall in common with her child Matilda Ann Rebecca have the use of my kitchen, small smoak house, Fowls houses, a garden and yard attached to the kitchen with full liberty to raise what quantity of poultry she may choose and I do give one particularly request that my said servant Jenny shall at all times after my death enjoy fully the profits of her own labor and industry without any inconvenience or hindrance from any person or persons whatever and more over receive from the profits of my estate annually in the month of January during her natural life the following allowances to wit 4 barrels good shelled Indian corn, 1 barrel good flour, 300 pounds well fatted pork, 50 pounds pick d cotton and $30 Va money and also the following additional allowances during the time my Girl Matilda Ann Rebecca may be continued by my exec to remain with the said Jenny, namely 2 barrels good shelled Indian corn and 300 pounds fatted pork but when ever my exec believe that the said Jennys has in improper resort of Negroes or other persons visiting her and setting bad examples for my Girl Matilda AR then at their discretion remove the said Matilda AR from the care of her mother the said Jenny and provide for the support of the said girl..until she arrive at age of 15 my said Woman Jenny ( the cook) is always to have free use of water from the spring, firewood from my plantation to be at full liberty at all times to go from and return home when ever she may think proper to do so without hinderance....full liberty to use my Cards and wheels when she may think proper frees my little girl Matilda Ann Rebecca after my death and to fully enjoy the profits of her own labor also gives her the use and labor of one of my Negro Women to be chosen by her from my estate annually plus food allowance etc plus use of buildings provided mother above and that a house be built by estate for her plus use of a horse etc rest of his estate to his two sons 2 Nov 1819 rec 28 Feb 1820 p. 449 will of John Pretlow of Surry leaves wife $2500 and some furniture and money to brother and a friend 4th gives to Hannah Warren a woman of color $50 5th being fully impressed with a sence of duty we owe to the people of Colour and particularly those immediately under our care I give in trust to my bro Joshua Pretlow and friends Samuel Jones and james Stanton all of Southampton all the residue of my estate to be apply d to the boarding and schooling together with such other benefits as the Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends of which I am a member may from time to time direct of sundry children of colour under my care whose names are as follows to wit: Berry, Abram, Jim, John, Gibert, Hack, Peggy and Livina after their education the rest of his estate to be equally divided among the above named children still living 18 March 1820 rec 26 June 1820 p. 491 will of Robert Crittenden of Surry frees Negro man Leonard at his death in consequence of the services which he has rendered him 25 Jan 1821 rec 26 Mar 1821 end of book and end of Surry County will abstracts |
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