Sussex Co., VA - 12 Deeds of Emancipation ---------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Richard Ivey's Slaves 1795 (Deed Book H, page 375, Sussex Co.VA.) I Rich'd. Ivey of the County of Sussex and State of Virg'a. after full deliberation and agreeable to our Bill of rights am fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind and that no Law moral or devine hath given me a just to the person of any man, and wishing to fullfill the Golden Rule of our Saviour do unto all men as ye would they should do unto you, and having seven Negroes in my care to wit, Old Hannah, Nell, Davey, Murriah, John, Mymas and James the gift of H.Ivey deceas'd except Nell who I bought of Teddy Jarratt. Those above nam'd Negroes I do fully Emancipate from the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety six though I retain the right of commanding till the four last mentioned arrive at the age of thirty which will be as follows Murriah in March 30,1796 John July 1807 Mymas Jany.1st 1817 and James July 1821 and if the women have any increase they to stand on the same fotting, the three first are over 45 years old but are fully able to get their own being. I do for my self my heirs exe'ors and administrat. give up all my right to the above nam'd Negroes and their Property that they have and shall acquire by honest labour hereafter the above named ________ shall arrive to enjoy their Liberty and Property without any interruption from me In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this (nothing further written). Rich'd. Ivey his (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 1st day of October 1795 This Deed of Emancipation of Richard Ivey to his slaves was acknowledged by said Rich'd. to be his act and Deed and was ordered to be Recorded . Teste M.Bailey CSC --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - John Hamlin's Slaves 1787 (Deed Book G, page 140, Sussex Co.VA. I John Hamlin of Sussex County Virginia being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all Mankind and that it is my duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation and having under my care one Negro whom I have heretofore held as a Slave of the following name Viz't. Lettica aged thirty one years I hereby emancipate and set free the above named Slave and I do for myself my Heirs, Executors and Administrators relinquish all my Right Title Interest and claim or pretention of claim whatsoever, either to her person or to any Estate she may hereafter acquire and having also five Negroes now in their minority of the following names Viz't. Charlotte aged eleven years, Winny aged seven years, Charles aged five years, John aged three years, Silas aged three years, I also hereby emancipate & set free yet I believe it right for me to reserve the prerogative of acting as Guardian over them untill the males arrive to the age of Twenty one years and the females to Eighteen years. I do for myself my Heirs, Executors and Administrators relinquish all my Right, Title Interest and claim or pretentions of claims whatsoever either to their Persons or to any Estate they may acquire after they shall attain to the age above said which will be at the following Time Viz't. Charlotte on the first day of the 12 month 1794, Winny on the first day of the 12 month 1798, Charles on the first day of the 12 month 1803, John on the first day of the 12 month 1805, Silas on the first day of the 12 month 1805 then to enjoy their full freedom without any interruption from me or any Person claiming for by from or under me IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & seal this fourteenth day of the twelfth month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven. John Hamlin (Seal) Test Jesse Hargrave Robert Hicks At a Court held for Sussex County the 17th Day of January 1788. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by John Hargrave a party thereto to be his act & Deed and ordered Recorded. Teste Michael Bailey ClCur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Drury Lane's Slave 1784 (Deed Book F, page 343, Sussex Co.VA.) I Drury Lane of Sussex County Virginia being fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural right of all man kind and that it is my duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation & having under my care one Negro woman whom I have heretofore held as a Slave of the name of Cate & aged about forty two years I hereby emancipate and set free all & every of the above Slave and I do for myself my Heirs Executors & Administrators relinquish all my right Title Interest & claim or pretention of claim whatsoever either 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 (Blank) day of (Blank) in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Eighty four. Sealed & delivered in presence of} Drury Lane (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 16th day of December 1784. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Drury Lane a Party thereto to be his act & Deed & ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl:Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Edwin Ellis Slave 1782 (Deed Book F, page 147, Sussex Co.VA.) I Edwin Ellis of Sussex County in Virginia being fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural right of all mankind and that it is my Duty to do unto others as I would Desire to be done by in the like situation and having under my care one Negro Girl now in her minority of the following name Vizt. Chloe aged about fifteen years I do hereby emancipate and set free yet I believe it Right for me to reserve the prerogative of acting as Guardian over her untill she arrive to the age of Eighteen years and I do for my self my Heirs Executors and administrators relinquish all of my Right Title Interest and claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever either to her person or to any Estate she may acquire after she shall attain to the age above said which will be at the following time Vizt. on the 31 Day of the 12th month in the year 1784. Then to enjoy her full freedom 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 13 Day of the Eleventh month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two. Edwin Ellis (Seal) Sealed and delivered in the presence of} William Hamlin Samson Stanton At a Court held for Sussex County the 21st day of November 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was proved to be the act and Deed of Edwin Ellis a party thereto by the solemn affirmation of William Hamlin and Sampson Staunton Quakers, Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke CC Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Nathaniel Briggs Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 147, Sussex Co.VA.) We Nathaniel Briggs and Lydia Briggs of Sussex County in Virginia being fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural Right of all mankind and that it is our duty to do unto others as we would desire to be by in the like situation and having under our care two Negroe Men whom we hath heretofore held as Slaves one of them named Jack aged about forty three years and the other named Robbin aged about forty two years we hereby emancipate and set free the said Jack and Robbin and we do for our selves and our heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all our Right Title Interest and Claim or pretention of claim whatsoever either to their persons or to any estate they may hereafter acquire without any Interruption from us or any person claiming for by from or under us. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this fourth Day of the Eighth month in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. Nathaniel Briggs (Seal) Lydia Briggs (Seal) Sealed and Delivered in presence of} Mich'l. Bailey William Hamlin At a Court held for Sussex County the 21 Day of December 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Nathaniel Briggs a party thereto to be his act and Deed and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke CC Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - William Hamlin's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 148, Sussex Co.VA.) I William Hamlin of Sussex County in Virginia being fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural right of all mankind and that it is my duty to do unto others as I woud desire to be done by in the like situation and haveing under my care two Negroes whom I have heretofore held as Slaves of the following names & ages Viz. Amy aged thirty two years Charles aged twenty seven years I hereby emancipate and set free both of the above named slaves and I do for my self my heirs Executors and Admins. relinquish all my right title interest and claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever either to their persons or to any estate they may hereafter acquire and having also one Negro now in his minority of the following name and age Viz. Drury aged six months I also hereby emancipate and set free yet beleve it right for me to reserve the prerogative of acting as Guardian over him untill he arrive to the age of twenty one years and I do for myself my heirs Executors and administrators relinquish all my right title interest and claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever either to his person or to any estate he may acquire after he shall attain to the age above said which will be at the following time Vizt. on the first day of the 3rd month 1803 then to enjoy his full freedom 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 seventh day of the eight month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. William Hamlin (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 21 day of November 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by William Hamlin a party thereto to be his act and deed and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke CC Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Stith Parham's Slaves 1784 (Deed Book F, page 292, Sussex Co.VA.) I Stith Parham of Sussex County Virginia being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all man kind, and that it is my indispensable duty to do unto all men as I would have them do unto me in the like situation And having under my care 4 Negroes whom I have heretofore held as Slaves of the following names & ages viz't. Simon aged Thirty four years, Cesar Twenty two years, Nanny forty, Tabb thirty seven, I hereby Emancipate and sett free all & every of the above named Slaves and I do for my self my heirs Executors & Administrators Relinquish all my right title Interest and claim or pretention of claim whatsoever either to their persons or any estate they may hereafter acquire. And I having also six more Negroes now in their minority of the following names and ages viz't. Fanny aged sixteen, Fanny fifteen, Nathan Eleven, Nanny Eight, Matt five, Fredrick two, all and every of whom also I hereby Emancipate and sett free. Yet I believe it right for me to act as a guardian over them untill the males arrive to the age of twenty one years and the females Eighteen, and I do for myself my heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all my right title Interest and claim or pretention of claim whatsoever either to their persons or to any estate they may acquire after they shall attain the ages aforesaid which will be the following times Fanny 3rd September 1785, Fanny October 1786, Nathan August 1794, Nanny March 1794, Matt November 1799, & Fredrick September 1803. All the above said Negroes and their posterity to enjoy their full freedom without any interruption from me or any person for by or under me in witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seal this 15th July 1784. Sealed and delivered in presence of} Stith Parham (Seal) At a Court Held for Sussex County the 15th day of July 1784. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Stith Parham a party thereto to be his act & Deed & ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke CC.Cur --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Stith Parham's Slave 1797 (Deed Book I, page 104, Sussex Co.VA.) I Stith Parham of the County of Sussex in the State of Virginia, being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all men agreeable to the declaration of the bill of rights, upon which I conceive our present happy Constitution is established, and whereas I have under my care one Negro man Slave named Pick which said Slave I hereby emancipate and set free and I do for myself my heirs and assigns hereby relinquish all right title Interest claim or pretention of claim to him or any estate he may hereafter acquire, and the said Slave Pick shall forever hereafter enjoy his full freedom without any interruption from me or any person claiming by or under any authority received from me. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this sixth day of July anno dom one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven. Stith Parham (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 6th day of July 1797. This deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Stith Parham to be his act and deed and ordered to be Recorded. Teste J.C.Bailey C Clk. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - William Nicholson's Slave 1793 (Deed Book H, page 47, Sussex Co.VA.) I William Nicholson of the County of Sussex after mature deliberation, do hereby set free from bondage, my Negro Man known by the name of Edward Ricks, and do for myself, my executors and administrators, release unto the said Edward Ricks all my right and all claim whatsoever as to his person or to any estate he may acquire, hereby declaring the Edward Ricks absolutely free, without any interruption from me, or any person claiming under me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety three. Sealed and delivered in presence of} William Nicholson (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 4th day of April 1793. This deed of emancipation was acknowledged by William Nicholson a party thereto and by the Court ordered to be Recorded. Teste M.Bailey C.S.C. And at another Court held for Sussex County the 4th day of April 1793 this deed was further proved by the oath of George Mosely a witness thereto. Teste M.Bailey C.S.C. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Edward Ricks Slave 1795 (Deed Book H, page 421, Sussex Co.VA.) KNOW all Men by these presents that I Edward Ricks a free black man, and believing that Freedom is the natural right of all Men, and having lately purchased my wife of the estate of William Blunt and being desirous that she should enjoy the blessings of freedom, I do by these presents hereby emancipate and set free the said woman by the name of Jane to enjoy her full liberty in as ample a manner as the law will allow her relinquishing all manner of claim to her person as a Slave. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of October 1795. Edward(hisxmark)Ricks (Seal) Signed Sealed & acknowledged in presence of} Ben.W.Johnson M.Bailey At a Court held for Sussex County the 7th day of January 1796. This deed of Emancipation was proved by the affirmation of Michael Bailey one of the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste M.Bailey C.S.C. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Charles Hamlin's Slaves 1787 (Deed Book G, page 139, Sussex Co.VA.) I Charles Hamlin of Sussex County Virginia being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural Right of all mankind and that it is my duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation and having under my care three Negroes whom I have heretofore held as Slaves of the following names and ages Viz't. Solomon aged twenty four, Isaac aged twenty three, _esse aged Thirty three, I hereby emancipate and set free all of the above named Slaves and I do for myself my Heirs Executors & Administrators relinquish all my Right, Title Interest and claims or pretentions of claims whatsoever either to their persons or to any Estate they may hereafter acquire and having also three Negroes now in their minority of the following names and ages viz't. Silvy aged fourteen years, Howel aged Eight years, Patience aged two years, I also hereby emancipate and set free. Yet I believe it right for me to reserve the prerogative of acting as Guardian over them until the males arrive to the age of twenty one and the females to eighteen I do for myself my Heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all my right Title Interest and claim or pretention of claims whatsoever either to their persons or to any Estate they may acquire after they shall attain to the age above said which will be at the following time viz't. Silvy on the first Day 12 month 1791, Howell on the first Day of the 12 month 1800, Patience on the first Day of the 12 month 1803 then to enjoy their full freedom with any Interruption from me or any person claiming for by from or under me In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this fourteenth day of the twelfth month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Eighty seven. Charles Hamlin (Seal) Test Jesse Hargrave Robert Hicks At a Court held for Sussex County the 17th day of January 1788. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Charles Hamlin a party thereto to be his act & Deed & ordered to be Recorded. Teste M.Bailey C.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Thomas Wren's Slaves 1787 (Deed Book G, page 123, Sussex Co.VA.) I Thomas wren of the County of Sussex being fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural Right of all men agreeable to the Declaration of the Bill of Rights upon which I conceive our present happy constitution is established and whereas I have under my care certain Slaves viz't. Ned, Sambo, Aggy, Dicy, Isabel, Andrew, Lucy, Genny, which said several Slaves and their future Increase, I hereby emancipate and set free and I do for myself my Heirs and assigns hereby relinquish all my Right Title Interest, claim, or pretention of claim whatsoever to them or any Estate they or either of them may hereafter acquire and the said Slaves Ned, Sambo, Aggy, Dicy, Isabel, Andrew, Lucy, Genny shall forever hereafter enjoy their full freedom without any Interruption from me or any other person claiming by or under any authority received of me In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal this fourteenth day of Dec'r. in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Seven. Thomas Wren (Seal) Signed Sealed & Acknowledged In Presence of} Henry Moss Keziah Moss At a Court held for Sussex County the 20th day of December 1787. This deed of Emancipation from Thomas Wren to the several Slaves therein named was acknowledged by the said Thomas and by the Court ordered to be Recorded. But it appearing to the Court that the therein Negro Slave named Dicy is not of sound mind it is therefore the opinion of the Court that the said Dicy remain under the particular care, for her support and maintenance of the said Thomas Wren and his Heirs. Teste Mich'l.Bailey C.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Russell L. Lawrence ruslaw@bellatlantic.net USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material AND permission is obtained from the CONTRIBUTOR of the file. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation.