Orange County NcArchives Wills.....Jamison, William 1792 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ben Franklin ben.franklin.ffru@gmail.com May 2024 Source: Loose Will, NC Archives CR 073.801, Will Book Volume B, pages 222-223 Written: 1792 Recorded: Feb 1793 Testator: William Jamison In the Name of God Amen I William Jamison Sr being in a low state of Health but of sound mind and Memory calling to mind the great Uncertainty of this Mortal life have made and Ordained this my last Will and Testament as follows to Witt Imprimis I give and bequeath to my Daughter Rachal Jamison one sorrel Mare a chest of Drawers one Bed and firniture and one Cow and Calf to her and her heirs forever ---- ----- Item I lend to my Beloved Wife Rachal Jamison the use of my Land and Plantation whereon I now live also the use of my stock of Horses Cattle Sheep and Hoggs the use of my Working Tools and household firniture (Except what I have bequeathed to my Daughter Rachel) during her Natural life --- Item I give and Bequeath to my son John Jamison after my Wife Rachal Jamison's death the Land and Plantation that I now live on (being the same that I have lent to my Beloved Wife Rachal) to him and his heirs forever provided him[sic] the said John Jamison gives an Orphan Boy that is Bound to me by the Name of James James[?] one years schooling ---- Item it is my Will and Desire that after the death of my Beloved Wife Rachal that the Remains of What I have lent her (Except the Land and plantation) shall be Equally Divided between my Children Ellis Jamison Thomas Jamison William Jamsion John Jamison Rachal Jamison Mary Parks and Margrett Linsdey to them and their heirs forever ------ I Nominate and appoint my Friend Sterling Harris [page 2] to be the Exec[u]tor of this my last Will and Testament in Witness Whereof I have published and declared this to be my last Will and Testament whe[re]fore I have set my hand and Affixed my seal the 13th day of March 1792 his Signed sealed and acknowledged William (X) Jamison (seal) in presents off[sic] mark Theophilus Thompson } Jurat Sterling Harris } [Will Book Volume B, page 222] In the Name of God Amen I William Jamison Senr being in a low state of health but of sound mind and memory calling to mind the great uncertainty of this Mortal life have made and Ordained this my last Will and Testament as follows (to wit) Imprimis I give and bequeath to my Daughter Rachel Jamison; one sorrel Mare a chest of Drawers one Bed and furniture and one Cow and Calf to her and her heirs forever Item I lend to my Beloved Wife Rachael Jamison the use of my land and plantation whereon I now live Also the use of my Stock of Horses, Cattle Sheep and Hoggs, the use of my working tools and household furniture except what I have bequeathed to my Daughter Rachael, during her natural Life Item I Give and bequeath to my Son John Jamison after my Wife Rachael Jamisons death the land and plantation that I now live on being the same that I have lent to my beloved Wife Rachael to him and his heirs forever provided him[sic] the said John Jamison gives an Orphan Boy that was bound to me by the name of James James one years schooling Item it is my Will and desire that after the death of my beloved Wife Rachael that the remains of What I have lent her (except)[sic] the Land and plantation shall be equally divided [Will Book Volume B, page 223] between my Children Ellis Jamison, Thomas Jamison, William Jamsion, John Jamison, Rachel Jamison Mare[Mary] Parks and Margaret Linsdey to them and their heirs forever I Nominate and appoint my friend Sterling Harris to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have published and declared this to be my last will and Testament wherefore I have set my hand and affixed my Seal the 13th day of March 1792 his William (X) Jamison (seal) Signed sealed and acknowledged mark in presents of Theophilus Thompson } Jurat Sterling Harris } State of North Carolina } Orange County ~~~~~~ } February Court 1793 The Execution of the foregoing Will of William Jamison deceased was duly proved in open Court by the Oaths of Theophilus Thompson and Sterling Harris Esquire the two subscribing witnesses thereto and Ordered to be Recorded Attest Abner B. Bruce CC Additional Comments: Will Book Volume B, pages 222-223 Recorded Feb 1793 Estate Papers comprise 86 pages and are found in a folder labeled "Jamison, William (1793)". Note: These pertain to a different James Jamison who died in the county intestate about six months after this testator's will was probated. The inventory above does not belong to this estate. [Estate Papers - Evidence for the Defendants (undated)] Jamison & other } vs } Riggs & Wife admrs } of Wm. Jamison } Evidence for the defen- dants John Ray -- Mrs Jamison said She cou[l]d not raise the children without buying the negroes. I understood she purchased them for herself, and I never under stood to the contrary till this Suit was brot & talked of she gave what I tho't was a full and fair price for them - the children were very young - I would not have given more for them - indeed I have rather not have had them at that price & would not have given so much for them - She only intended to use their labor for raising the children, not to hold them for the children to be divided among them as their property -- She gave her own Bond and security for the purchase of the negroes --- I don't know whether they would he sold for more when separated or not --- I told her that the things much be sold for their full Value -- that no mean should be used to sell the property at an under-value - She said that was her wish, and that she [did] not in tend to take one shilling from the Estate, but at its' full value --- If I had seen any impro per means used to sell the property at an under value, I should have prevented it -- I told the People to bid for the property, and not to omit doing so from a desire to suffer her to purchase at an under value, as I was determined she shou[l]d pay as much as any one else --- except as to the crop, which I tho't she ought to have a Cow the purchase of $65 or £6 - but she used no means to have it sold low [page 2] John Cain -- I went there to bid for negroes and bid for all that were sold -- when they went as high as I tho't they were worth I stop ped - it is true that I bid more for the ne- groes that Farmer bo't than I tho't they were worth --- I did not stop bidding for the negroes which Mrs. Jamison purchased because she was a bidder, I bid just as much as if she had not been a Bidder -- the Negroes sold for their full value --- and I saw no means used by Mrs Jamison to cause the property to be sold at an un der value --- other persons bid for the negroes which I bid for --- William Cain - I tho't the negroes sold low but saw no means used by Mrs. Jamison to prevent the people from buying [page 3] Mr Hall for the plaintiffs -- As to Crop - Corn 100 Barrels or upward Tobacco 2 Hhds called to Taboro' [Estate Papers - Petition of Jane Riggs, against Josiah Turner Feb 1830] State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Orange County } February Term 1830 To the Worshipful the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Orange County -- The Petition of Jane Riggs, against Josiah Turner Humbly Sheweth, that William Jamison late of the County of Orange departed this life many Years ago, leaving your Petitioner Jane his Widow and the following Children him surviving; to wit, John, William, Robert, Peggy, Rachael intermarrying with John Robinson, Polly intermarrying with Andrews Gray and Jane intermarrying with Wm. McKee - . that he died seized of a tract of Land containing one thousand and forty acres or thereabouts, lying on the North Fork of Little River in Orange County, it being the Tract whereon he resided that your Petitioner afterward intermarried with ______ Riggs, who hath since died: and one of his Sons, Viz, Robert hath since died intestate & without issue, leaving his Brothers and Sisters aforesaid his Heirs at Law -- that by Sundry Conveyances Josiah Turner of said County hath become seized of most of the Land of which the said William Jamison died Seized; but your Petitioners Dower hath never been assigned to her in Said Lands, and as she is informed, the said Josiah claims the Said Lands and denies her Right to have Dower assigned to her therein, whilst the Heirs who Still hold an Interest in Said Lands are willing that her Dower be assigned - . She prays that a Writ of Dower issue to the Sheriff of Orange, to have her Dower laid off in said Lands agreeably to the Act of Assembly in Such Case made and provided; and that said Josiah Turner be made a Defendant to this Petition & prays issue for that Paper[?], that he may Shew Cause, if any he hath, Why the Said Writ of Dower should not be granted to your Petitioners &c & she will ever pray --- A.D. Murphy for Petr. To May Term 1830 [Estate Papers - Petition of Margaret Jamison et al May 1803] State of North Carolina } Orange County Court } May Session 1803 The Petition of Margaret Jamison and John Jamison of full age, and Mary Jamison Jane Jamison, William Jamison, and Robert Jamison, Infant Orphans under the age of twenty one years by the said John Jamison their next Friend and Guardian, against Samuel Riggs and Jane his wife ["and John Robinson and Rachael" x-out] ["his wife ---" x-out] Sheweth unto your worships that William Jamison late of the County of Orange aforesaid, being possessed of a large personal estate, consisting of Negroes Horses, Cattle, furniture, debts due to him and other things, died Intestate, in or about the month of October in the year 1793 --- ---, having Jane we of the Defendants his widow and Relict, and the said Rachael Robinson, and Margaret, John, Mary, Jane, William and Robert Jamison his Children and next of kin. --- That administration of the estate of the said William Jamison deceased was granted so his widow the said Jane and John Ray Esquire --- at a Courth held for the said County on the fourth Monday of November in the year 1793 --- ; and the said Administrators afterwords, towit, on or about the 15th day of January in the year 1794 - proceeded to sell at public sale the personal estate of the said William Jamison deceased, or the greater part thereof, and did then sell or pretend the same; and your Petitioners alledge[sic] that part of the said estate so set up to be sold, consisted of four Negroes, towit, a little Woman by the name of Flora about twenty six year of age; a very likely boy, her Child, by the name of Sam, about twelve years of age; a very like Girl, her Child, by the name of Nan [page 2] seven years of age, and a very likely Boy, about eighteen months old, by the name of Abram, -- -- -- -- -- which said Negreos were at the time of the value of £350 - - - -; and that the said Jane improperly and illegally with intent to bid the same off at an under value, cause all the said Negroes to be set up for sale in one Lott; or cause the said Negroes to be so set up in one Lott for the purpose and intent of bid[d]ing them off to the use of herself and Children although several persons present who wished to bid for the said Negroes seperately[sic], objected to that manner of sale; and that the said Jane having caused the said Negroes to be so set up, did complain of them who bid for them, and affirm that she was bid[d] them off for herself and Children and thereby prevented others from bid[d]ing - - - - - and did by herself or some other person, bid off all the said Negroes at the small and inferior value of £230:0:6 although they were then well worth the sum of £350 - - - as aforesaid: and your Petitioners contends that notwithstanding the said pretended sale of the said Negroes, the title and property in them was not changed, and that the said Samuel Riggs and Jane his wife hold the said Negroes and the after Increase of the said Flora as the property of the said William Jamison deceased subject to a division; And say that if the said Jane intended to purchase the said Negroes to her own use, her xxxxxx was illegal and fraudulent, and the said pretended sale void and that if she intend to purchase them to the use of herself and Children, no rights were thereby changed, and therefore the trans= action void. And your Petitioners also alledge that [page 3] the said Flora, and? the said Sale has had three Children, a boy by the name of Oliver, a girl by the name of Celia, and another Girl by the name of Phillis, and that all the aforesaid Negroes are still living ------ Your Petition further shew that the said Administrators sold at the sale aforesaid, property of the estate of the sd. William Jamison declared, to the amount of £1099.11.4 exclusive of the said Negroes; and that the said Administrator collected of the debts due to the said Intestate in his lifetime £500 or some other large sum ---- Your Petitioners further shew that at a Court held for the said County on the fourth Monday of February 1795, the said Jane, now Jane Riggs was appointed guardian of all the aforesaid Children of the said Wm. Jamison deceased, and took on herself the care of their estates; and being so appointed Guardian titled with and received of the said John Ray the other Administrator, and the estate of the said Intestate which had been in his hands, and released and discharged the said John Ray of and from the same; and also titled[?] with and paid to the said John Robinson now of the state of Tennessee the share of Rachael his wife and took a discharge of the same. And the said Jane afterward, towit, in or about the year 1799 intermarried with Samuel Riggs one of the other Defendants --- Your Petitions further shew that the said Jane, before she married the said Samuel and the said Samuel and Jane since they inter married, have held possession of the lands of your [page 4] Petitioners the said John, William and Robert, and have enjoyed the Project thereof, which were of the yearly volume of £40 or there abouts; and have also possessed and enjoyed the profits of the said Negroes of the yearly value of £30 or some other large sum --- And that the said Samuel and Jane have not, nor hath either of them rendered any account whatever of the said Administration or Guardianship And your Petitioners further shew that they are of the following ages, Margaret 22 years - John 21 years - Mary 19 years - James 15 years - William 12 years, and Robert nine years; and that they and each of this have indus= =triously worked and labored, ever since they were capable of doing work of any kind, to the use and benefit of the said Samuel and Jane, or in support and Maintenance of themselves; and alledge that their said work and labour is equal and more than equal to their Clothing and maintained, and content that they ought not to be charged any thing for the same --- And your Petitioners also shew that at this Court, the said John Jamison has been appointed Guardian of the said Mary, Jane, William and Robert Jamison, and hath required of the said Samuel and Jane, to settle with and pay to the heirs the shares of himself and wards, which they have refused to do --- Your Petitioners Pray that he said Samuel and Jane, may be compelled to render on oath a true and just amount of the Administration ship aforesaid; and of the guardianship aforesaid [Note: the remainder of this petition is not in this repository] [Estate Papers - Answer Aug 1803] North Carolina Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Orange County August Term 1803 The joint Answer of Samuel Riggs and Wife to the Petiton of Margaret Jamison & John Jamison of full age, and Mary Jamison, Jane Jamison, William Jamison, and Robert Jamison Infant Orphans under the Age of 21 yearly the said John Jamison their next friend & Guardian ---- These defendants saving reserving &c for answer say - that it is true William Jamison in the petition named died possessed of personal Estate in the year 1793 leaving the defendant Jane Riggs his widow, and the Petitioners above named together with Rachel Robertson her children and next of kin to the said William Jamison who died intestate -- it is also true that Administration on the estate of the said William was granted by Orange County Court to John Ray and the defendant Jane who according to law & to the order granted by the Court aforesaid sold all the personal Estate of the said William without reserve --- The defendant Jane Riggs positive denies that she caused the Negroes Flora and her Children Sam, Nan & Abram to be set up in one Lott for the purpose of cause an advantage or Benefit to arise to herself or with any View to injure the Estate of said Willi am - but the same was done by the join advice, direction & consent of John Ray the other Administrator, for the purpose of indulging the reasonable & natural desire of the Negro Flora, that she should not be separated from her said Children ---- the said Jane Riggs doth further positive deny that She bought the said Negroes at the Sale aforesaid, for the purpose stated in the petition, but expressly al ledges, that She purchased them for and on her own Account, separate and in dependent of the Interest of other Persons, & no otherwise what soever - that several Persons bid against her for the said Negroes and that the price at which She purchased them, was at that time fair, and adequate to the value of said Negroes --- ---- These defendants admit that Jane Riggs did receive of John Ray the other Administrator the Sum of Thirteen Hundred and twenty - Nine pounds 11/10 (£1329.11-10) currency, which [page 2] Sum was paid in Bonds taken for the personal estate of Said William Jamison by said John Ray, and included a Bond given by the defendant Jane Riggs for purchases made by herself at said Sale, including said Negroes, and that the said Jane Riggs did also receive in 1799 from the Clerk of Hillsboro' Sup: Court the Sum of Two Hundred and forty - seven pounds - 0/3- (£247.6.8) amount of a Judgment re covered again James Glasgow, making in the whole the Sum of One Thousand five Hundred and Seventy Six pounds - 18/6 and no more - This sum these defendants allege must according to the statute for distributing Intestate estate, be e qually divided among the defendant Jane Riggs and her children the Petitioners and Rachel Robinson, which will afford to each & every one of the the Sum of One Hundred & ninety se ven pounds - 2-3-(£197-2-3) - The defendants have paid the amount of this distributive share to John Robinson and Rachal his wife, and to he Petitioner Margaret they have paid the Sum of One hundred & forty pounds part of her distributive share -- These defendants say that no profits have been received by them from the lands of the Petitioners - that the dower of the defendant Jane embraces all the cleared land and Improvement belonging to the real Estate of said William Jamison decd. and that the residue is uncleared & unproduc tive ---- they further say that the work and labour of the Petitioners is by no means a Compensation for the trouble and care which has been borne by the defendant Jane and her Husband the said Samuel in boarding maintain ing, cloathing and schooling the Petitioner from the death of the said William Jamison up to the time of filing their petition being a period of ten (10) years --- that the Interest on the aforesaid Sum of £1578-18/7, amounts for the aforesaid period to the sum of £737-16-8 - which sum these defendants hum bly conceive[?] will but very modestly compensate them for the Boarding, cloathing, and schooling of the Petitioners, and [page 3] will amount to no more than an annual charge of £10-10.6 against each of the Petitioners, which these defendants hope to be allowed in addition to the usual allowance made to Administrators & Guardians for care trouble & residue[?] in managing Intestate and Orphan's estates --- These defendants are advised that the State ment which they have made in this their Answer relative to the estate of William Jamison decd. precludes the necessity of stating an annual account, which however they submit to do if required thereto by the Court ---- they are will and always have been so to pay to the Petitioners their just distributive Shares, but which they have reused to receive except on their own terms, to which these defendants cou[l]d not in justice to themselves agree to ---- These defendants having answered all the material parts of these Petitioners petition, pray to be dismissed &c Saml. Riggs her Jane (X) Riggs mark North Carolina Orange Sct --- Before the subscriber one of the Justices as igned to keep the Peace for said County on this 24th day of August 1803 personally came & appeared the within named Samuel Riggs and Jane Riggs his Wife and made oath that the several fact set forth in this their Answer which are of their own Knowledge are true and those not of their own Knowledge they believe to be true ------ Sworn to & subscribed before me as above J. Benton [Estate Papers - Court response (undated)] John Jimasen[sic] & Other } vs } Petition &c Samuel Riggs & Wife } This cause coming on to be heard on the Petition, answer, Depositions and evidences the Court are of opinion that the Defendant Jane did not purchase the negro Flora to the use of herself and Children, but to the use of herself only, and, therefore, that the said Flora and her children are not subject to be divided as prayed by the Petitions; and that the price bid by the said Jane for the said Flora and her Children was a reasonable price and that nothing more aught to be allowed the Petitioners for them. And the Court is further of opinion that the Defendants aught to be Charged, and do Charge them as follows Vizt. To the amount of sale as appears by } the amount of sales returned . . } £1348.1.7 To the Crop of Corn, Wheat, Oat &c in hand } 50.0.0 at the death of Intestate } To 2 Hhds Tobo. say 2,000lbs as in Bulk @15/:pc 15.0.0 To Cash recd. April 1799 on Judgt agst. Jas. Glasgow 247.6.8 To do recd of Wm Hall due the Intestate in his lifetime 3.3.3 _______________ And it appears to the Court that this Petitioners are each intitled to our eighth part of that sum with Interest, and subject to deduction as stated below, vizt --- Margaret Jamison Her share of the property sold at } the sale &c } £177-0-6 [page 2] £177.0.6 Interest on the sum 8 1/2 years 90.5.6 ___________ 267.6.0 Deduct for payt. to her 140 ___________ 127.6.0 Interest on the sum 2 years 15.5.6 ___________ 142.11.6 Her share of the money recd of } Jas Glasgow ------------------ } 30.18.4 Interest 5 1/3 years on the sum 9.17.9 ___________ Bal. due to Margaret £183.7.7 Mary Jamison Her share of the property sold } 177.0.6 at the sale &c - - - - - - } Interest 9 1/2 years on the sum 100.17.11 Her share of the money rec J.G. 30.18.4 Interest 5 1/2 years - - - - - - - 9.17.9 ___________ Amt. due Mary - - - - - - - - - - - - £318.14.6 Jane Jamison The amt due her same as Mary's } £318.14.6 and on same charges } John Jamison The amt due him the same as } £318.14.6 Jane on the same charges } His share of the profits of the real } estate not included in the dower } 75.0.0 ___________ £393.14.6 William Jamison Amt charge the same as for J.J. £393.14.6 Deduct for Cloathing & boarding } 7 years, & schooling - - - - } 87.10 ___________ Balance due William £306.4.6 Robert Jamison Amt. charged same as for J. J. £393.14.6 [page 3] Deduct for Cloathing & Boarding to May } 1803, & schooling - - - - } 80. ___________ Balance due Robert £313.14.6 Which said several amounts and balance now due amount in the whole to one thousand eight hundred and thirty four pounds ten shillings and one penney --- It further appears to the Court that the Defendants have not returned any amount of their Administrations or Guardianship; and the Court is of opinion , that it they had at the several time required by land[law], made such returned, they would have been charged annually with Interest upon the Interest and profits of the lands, which had previously accrued; which charge is not made in the account above stated - But as the Defendants aought not to receive a benefit by such neglect of their duty; and as the amount of the Interest so omitted would equal if not exceed the legal allowance to the Defendants for their expense and trouble in the said Administration, and Guardianships; the Court is of the opinion, and so adjud[g]e that the Defendant be allowed nothing more for their said trouble and expences --- It is ordered adjud[g]ed and direct that the Petitioners recovered of the Defendants the aforesaid sum of one thousand, eight hundred and thirty four pounds, ten shillings, and one penney with Interest [continue?] till paid to the use of the several petitioners as aforesaid and costs; and the Execution issue for the same --- [Estate Papers - Depositions 5 Nov 1803] State of North Carolina } Orange County ----- } In Pursuance of ["of" x-out] a Commission Issuing from the County Court of Orange to us directed & other Plaintiffs and Samuel Riggs & Wife Defen- -dent ["at the House of James Walker" x-out] - We proceeded to take the depositions of James Ray, William Ray, William Hall, James Robinson and John Neely, at the House of James Walker - On this fifth day of November Anno Domini 1803 - And first James Ray being of full age & having been duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God - Deposeth and saith - That He was present at the sale of the Estate of William Jamison decd by Mrs. Jamison as Administratrix of said Estate, who is now the Wife of Samuel Riggs - at which sale four Negroes viz Flora & her three Children were exposed to sale in one Lot - that several persons present expressed a wish that they should be sold separately, but Mrs. Jamison the widow, insisted on selling them together as they were of one family and was a bidder for them, and informed the Bystanders that she was bidding for the benefit of herself & the children which this deponent believes had the effect to prevent people from bidding for the negroes -- Question by John Jamison - Did the Negroes sell for their value or near it in your opinion Answer the sold for something upward of four hundred dollars, but in my opinion much below their value What do you think was the value of these Negroes in your Judgment? Answer I think they were worth at least six hundred & fifty dollars - Question - Do you think they would have sold [page 2] for more money had they been set up separately, and had the widow sayd nothing to dissuade or prevent people from bidding? Answer. If the Widow had said nothing, and if the Negroes had been sold seperately[sic] I fully believe they would have raised the sum I have estimated as their worth worth viz Six hundred & fifty dollars - Do you know anything of the present value of the said Negroes ? Answer not having seen them lately - I cannot say any thing certainly of their present value - Sworn to before us at the plae and the date first above written Walter Alves (seal) James Ray Jas. Walker (seal) The Deposition of William Ray of law- -ful Age & Having been duly sworn on the Holy Evan- -gelists of Almighty God Deposeth & Saith - That he was present at the sale of the Estate of William Jamison Decd. and intended purchasing one of the Negroes had they been sold seperately that the Widow direct Flora & her three Children to be sold in one Lots[sic], upon which this deponent spoke to her & said he wished her to set the Negroes up seperately, that she Answered, she would sell them together as she intended buying then herself for the use of herself & her children, that he does not recollect what price she bid for said Negroes, but well remembered that he then though it much below their real value - Question by John Jamison - What do you think the Negroes were worth at that time? Answer I think they were worth Seven hundred Dollars - Question Do you know any thing of their present value Answer: I do not, as I am unacquainted with the Negroes at this time - [page 3] The foregoing Deposition by William Ray taken before us the day & at the place first mentioned - Sworn to as aforesaid --- Walter Alves (seal) William Ray Jas. Walker (seal) The Deposition of John Neely of lawful age who being duly sworn upon the holy Evangelists of Almighty God Deposeth as follows - That he also was present at the Sale of the Effects of Wm. Jamison decd. And that when Flora & her 3 children Sams or Samson, Nan & Abram were exposed to sale which by the direction of the Widow were set up in one Lot- She the said Widow said that she did not know how she could raise her Children without them - that in consequence of what she said there publickly[sic] he believes people who other- -wise would have been bidders were prevented from bidding, from tenderness or sympathy for Her situation as a Widow with Children --- That the Negroes sold for something upwards of four hundred dollars a sum which this deponent thinks was much below their real value, And he believes they would have sold much better had they been sold seperately -- I think the Negroes were worth at the time of the sale not less than Six hundred & twenty two dollars - And with the additional in- -crease viz Oliver & two others the youngest of whom is now 2 of 3 years old now[?] worth fourteen or fifteen hundred dollars -- This deponent further says that the Land which has been cultivated since the death of Wm. Jamison over and above what has been allotted at the Widows dower is worth to the best of his Judgment fifty dollars yearly -- This deponent also says that he have been well acquainted with the family of the deceased Wm. Jamison, that they have always worked upon the said plantation & in the Crop [page 4] that he left three sons & three daughters, viz John who was about 12 yrs old at this Fathers death, Margaret, abt 15 years old, Mary about 8 or 9 years old, Jean, about 6 yrs old, William about 3 yrs old - and Robert who was not born at his Father decease -- that the Children have general been cloathed[sic] in a neighbourlike manner - and have generally been employed as soon as they were able in the Crop And in his belief they have been worth much more than the expense of maintainance[sic] Sworn to before us at [the] time & place first above mentioned ---- his Walter Alves (seal) John (X) Neely mark Jas. Walker (seal) The Deposition of James Robinson of full age, And having been previously duly sworn deposeth as follows - That he also was pre -sent at the sale of the Effects of William Jamison decd. and remembers that when the Negroes Flora and her three Children were offered for sale in one Lot - Old Mrs. Ray objected to their being sold in that manner & said that if offered to sale singly they would sell higher that many one would buy one who would not be able to buy the whole - that the widow said she wanted to buy said Negroes for herself & the Children - that the Negroes ere accordingly sold together & bid off by her at a sum as this Deponent things below their value - viz about four hundred & sixty dollars - that in his opinion the Negroes were at the time of the sale worth six hundred & forty or fifty dollars -- That with the [page 5] the additional increase (viz) Oliver, about Eight years old Celia about six years old & Phillis about 2 or three years old the Negroes are now worth fourteen hundred dollars -- The he was acquainted with the Plantations of the last Wm. Jamison and that the Lands that have been cultivated since the death of the said Jamsion are worth to the best of his belief fifty dollars annually beside the Land allotted for dower--- This Deponent further says that he is acquainted with the Children of the deceased William Jamison - And upon the whole he believes that their labour is upon an average fully worth their Maintainance[sic] and Cloathing[sic] Sworn to before us the day and place first above mentioned ----------- Walter Alves (seal) James Robinson Jas. Walker (seal) The Deposition of William Hall of full age who being duly sworn according to Law Deposeth & saith - That he acted as Deputy Sheriff under John Moss at the Sale of William Jamisons effects that when the four Negroes Flora & her three Children were offered for sale, viz Samson Nan & Abram William Ray objected and said if there were sold separately they would fetch more money, that as the widow appeared desirous to purchase said Negroes which she said she intended for the use of [page 6] of herself & the Children. The Sheriff Mr Moss who was present, said that he did not care for his Commissions on the Sale & that as it was to favor the Widow & Children he desired the deponent to know them off to her bid; which this Deponent accordingly Di the the price of Four hundred & sixty dollars & six pence, which he say was in his opinion less that their value, that he believes the Negroes would have sold for seven hundred dollars, if nothing had been said on the part of the widow expressing her desire to keep them for herself & Children & would himself have given that sum for them--- This deponent further says that since that period The Wench Flora has had three children viz Oliver now about eight years old and who is at this time worth about Two hundred & fifty dollars, Celia about six years old & now worth about one hundred & fifty dollars, and Phillis about 2 of 3 years old and now worth about one hun -dred dollars -- That Flora is now worth about two hundred dollars, Sampson about four hundred dollars - Nan, about two hundred & fifty and Abram about two hundred & fifty dollars And this Deponent further says that he has Collec =ted & paid to the Administrators of William Jami -son decd - several Debts - as follows from John Kelly Six pounds nineteen shillings & 6d - but this sum he does not recollect whether it was due to the decd. Wm Jamison, or for articles purchase at the vendue - Also sundry small debts to the amot. of Three pounds three shillings & 3d Book Accts. due the deceased - beside sundry other accounts which this Deponent cannot now recollect - but which the Books now in the Possession of the Administrators will show --- This deponent [page 7] further says that he has been acquainted with the family of the said Jamison since his decease that he believes that have been Cloathed in a decent neighbourlike manner, and have been accustom -ed to work on the Plantation, that their Labor is fully equall to their Maintenance & Cloathing except during the widowhood of Mrs. Jamison when several of the Children were smaller & during that time, he thinks the Rent of the Lands not included in the Dower should be allowed to the Widow - or in other word that during that time she ought not to be charged with any rent -- Sworn to before us at the place & date first above mentioned Wm Hall Walter Alves (seal) Jas. Walker (seal) [Estate Papers - Inventory] Note: the first page of the inventory is missing - presumably listed the date, place, etc. [several pages of sundry articles omitted] Jane Jamison -------Flora & her three Children 230 .. 6 James Woods Junr.---one Negro man Pompy 111 11 3 William Nall -------One Ditto Nom[?] 30 . 1 Jno. Robertson------one Girl Milly 90 William Nall--------one Negro Won Pool 62 .. 3 Jno. Jirman---------Luce & Sampson 220 0 0 Jno. Robertson------one Boy Daniel 120