Goochland County, VA -Agreement, Robert Shepherd and Sarah (Clarke) 9 Aug 1779

File submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
From: "Karen L. Salisbury" <ksalisbury@ccsinc.com

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It is this day agreed between Robert Shepherd and Sarah, his wife, of the
Parrish of Saint James, Northam and County of Goochland, that whereas in the
year of our Lord 1776 the said Robert did make proposals of Marriage to the
said Sarah (then Sarah Clarke) and in consequence of such proposals a
marriage contract was drawn up and executed between the parties, bearing
date the      day of        (left blank) in the aforesaid year by which the
said Robert did make over and secure unto the said Sarah and her heirs
forever two negro slaves named Rachel and Lucy with their increase together
with one feather bed and furniture, and whereas the said instrument or
marriage contract was casually lost without ever being admitted to record,
and the parties being mutually consenting to do to each other all manner of
justice, consistent with equity and a good conscience, and with the advice
of their nearest connexions and best friends, setting aside the prerogative
of the husband and the wife's coventure and all laws customs and usages now
in force or in any wise concerning the same, and that they and each of them
will do and execute any other agreement deed or conveyance jointly or
severally in order for the better securing and fulfilling this agreement
such as they or either of them or their council learned in the laws hath
think fit and convenushe (?).  Now the said Robert Shephard doth agree ___
and with the said Sarah, his wife, that the said Sarah shall have the
aforesaid negro slaves Rachel and her youngest child Nelly and their
increase together with one feather bed and furniture after the decease of
the said Robert to her during her life and at her decease the one half of
these negros and their increase shall go to the children of the s'd Sarah by
the said Robert and the survivors of them and the other half to remain free
to the said Sarah and at her desposal to whomsoever she shall chuse and the
said Sarah further agrees to pay all the costs arising from the suit in
Chancery lately comenced for the recovery of the s'd estate from the s'd
Robert without any charge against or expence to the said Robert and that she
doth now and forever hereafter will relinquish her claim of Dower to all and
every part of the Estate of the s'd Robert as well as from the above
mentioned former marriage contract.  In Witness whereof the parties have
herein to let their hands and afixed their seals this 9th day of August
1779.
Sealed and delivered in presence of:
Nathaniel Webster
Luke Webster    /s/ Robert Shepard
George Robertson                    Sarah Shepard

At a Court held for Goochland County October the 18th 1779
This agreement was proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto to be the
acts and deeds of the parties, ___ their motion admitted to record.