Sussex County, VA - 12 Deeds of Emancipation ---------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - John White's Slaves 1789 (Deed Book G, page 326, Sussex Co.VA.) I John White of Sussex County Virginia do manumit & set free from Bondage my three negroes (to wit) Bob aged Twenty three, Roger aged Seventeen & Lewis aged Fifteen years the third day of the Sixth month Last. Roger & Lewis to be free as soon as they shall severally arrive to the age of twenty one years, and I hereby secure both their persons and the estate they now have or hereafter acquire & defend them against myself my heirs & every other person or persons claiming by from or under me WITNESS my hand & Seal this thirtieth day of the Eighth month A.1789. John White (Seal) Sealed & Delivered in the presence of} Thomas Pratton, Joshua Bailey At a Court held for Sussex County the 3rd day of September 1789. This Deed of Emancipation was proved to be the act & Deed of John White a party thereto by the affirmation of Thomas Pratton a witness thereto & ordered to be Recorded. Teste Michael Bailey Cl Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - James Watkins Slave 1782 (Deed Book F, page 136, Sussex Co.VA.) I James Watkins 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 a negroe man naimed Kinchen aged about twenty six years who I have heretofore held as Slave I hereby emancipate and set free the said Kinchen 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 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 fourth day of the seventh month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two. James(his+mark)Watkins (Seal) Sealed and delivered In the presence of} Edmund Bailey ______ Bailey William Marriott At a Court held for Sussex County the 17th day of October 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by James Watkins a party thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Glaster Hunnicutt's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 149, Sussex Co.VA.) Whereas Glaister Hunnicutt late of Sussex County in Virginia deceased by his last Will and Testament now on record in the Court of the said County did among other things express as followeth My Will and desire is that the following Negroes should be manumitted on or before the first day of the first month next 1782 viz. Tom, Joe, Charles, Ben, Jenny, and her child Charlott I give the above named Negroes to the monthly meeting of which I am a member to be manumitted by such members of the said meeting as the meeting shall direct and at a monthly meeting of the people called Quakers of which the said Glaster Hunnicutt was a member at the time of his decease held at Black Water in Surry County the 12th Day of the 12th month 1781 the following minute was made on the Records of the said meeting viz't. This meeting being informed that Glaster Hunnicutt by his last Will and Testament gave the following Negroes Viz't. Tom, Joe, Charles, Ben, Jenny and Charlot to this meeting of which he was a member directing the said Negroes should be manumitted by such members as the said meeting should appoint for that purpose this meeting therefore appoints Edward Stabler and Wyke Hunnicutt to draw and sign a manumission for said Negroes agreeable to the said last Will and Testament. We Edward Stabler and Wyke Hunnicutt agreeable to the above appointment and the authority given to us do hereby emancipate and set free All and every of the said six Negroes named Tom, Joe, Charles, Ben, Jenny, and Charlott to enjoy all the benefits of Freedom as granted by an act intituted and act to authorize the manumission of Slaves. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto set our Hands and Seals this sixth Day of the seventh month of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two. Edw.Stabler (Seal) Wyke Hunnicutt (Seal) Sealed and delivered in presence of} Joshua Bailey William Hamlin William Bailey John Cornwell John Sears 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 Edward Stabler and Wyke Hunnicutt parties thereto by the affirmation of William Hamlin and John Sears Quakers witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Jesse Hargrave's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 137, Sussex Co.VA.) I Jesse Hargrave 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 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. Simon aged about Twenty five years,Tom aged about Twenty four,Rose aged about Twenty four years I hereby emancipate and set free all and every of the above naimed Slaves and I do for my self my Heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all my right title and claim or pretentions of claim 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. Stuart aged about six years, Ellick aged about three, Jeremiah aged about one year all and every one of which I likewise emancipate and 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 and the females to the age of eighteen years and I do for my self 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 to the ages above said which will be at the following times viz't. Stuart on the first day of the first month 1797, Ellick on the first day of the first month 1801, Jeremiah on the first day of the first month 1813 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 and seal this 15 day of the Eighth month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two. Jesse Hargrave (Seal) Edmund Bailey James Brock At a Court held for Sussex County the 17th day of October 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was proved by the affirmations of Edmund Bailey and James Brock the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Robert Hicks Slave 1782 (Deed Book F, page 150, Sussex Co.VA.) We Robert Hicks and Margaret Hicks 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 done by in the like situation and having under our care a Negroe man named Henry aged about twenty six years who we have heretofore held as a Slave WE HEREBY emancipate and set free the said HENRY and we do for our selves and heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all our right title interest and claim, or pretentions of claim whatsoever either to his person or to any Estate he 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. Robert Hix (Seal) Marget(herxmark)Hicks Sealed and delivered In the presence of} Mich'l.Bailey William Hamlin At a Court held for sussex County the 21st day of November 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was proved by the affirmation of Michael Bailey and William Hamlin Quakers, the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke CC Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Nathaniel Briggs Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 151, Sussex Co.VA.) I NATHANIEL BRIGGS 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 seven Negroes whom I have heretofore held as Slaves of the following names and ages viz't. Sharper aged about sixty five years, Sue aged about sixty one, Nann aged about sixty one, Priss aged about forty six, Jenny aged about thirty six, __ith aged about twenty one, Lucy nineteen years, I hereby emancipate and set free all and every of the above naimed Slaves and do for my self my Heirs Executors and Administrators 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 8 Negros now in the minority of the following names and aged viz't. Suckey aged about twelve years, Hannah aged about nine, Fed aged about nine, Dinah aged about eight, Bolling aged about five, Mealy aged about four, Jesse aged about three and Jacob aged about one year. All and every one of which I likewise emancipate and set free yet I believe it right for me to reserve the prerogative of acting as a Guardian over them until the males arrive to the age of twenty one and the Females to the age of eighteen years and I do for my self my Heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all my right title Interest and claim or pretentions of claim 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 times viz't. Suckey on the 31st day of the 12th month in the year 1788, Hannah on the 31st day of the 12th month 1791, Fed on the 31st day of the 12 month 1794, Dinah on the 31st day of the 12th month 1792, Bolling on the 31st day of the 12th month 1798, Mealy on the 31st Day of of the 12 month 1796, Jesse on the 31 Day of the 12th month 1800, Jacob on the 31 Day of the 12 month 1802. Then to enjoy their full freedom without any Interruption from me or any person claiming for by or under me IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of the Eighth month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. Nathaniel Briggs (Seal) Sealed and delivered In the presence of} Mich'l.Bailey William Hamlin At a Court held for Sussex County the 21st day of November 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 - Thomas Pretlow's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 165, Sussex Co.VA.) I Thomas Pretlow 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 two Negroes whom I have heretofore heald as Slaves of the following names and ages viz't. Jack aged about Thirty five years, Susan aged about thirty three years I hereby emancipate and set free all and every of the above naimed Slaves and I do for my sealf my Heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all my Right Title Interest and claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever either to their persons or to any Estate that may hereafter acquire, and having also three Negroes now in their minority of the following names and ages viz't. Betty aged about Twelve years, Moses aged about Ten years & Milly aged about three years all whom I also hereby emancipate and set free yet I believe it right for me to act as a Guardian over them until the males arrive to the age of twenty one and the Females to the age of eighteen years and I do for my self my Heirs Executors and Administrators Relinquish all my Right Title Interest and claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever to their persons or to any Estate they may acquire after they shall attain to the ages above said which will be at the following times Bethy on the 31 day of the 12 month 1788, Mosses on the 31 day of the 12 month 1793, Milly on the 31 day of the 12 month 1797. All the above said Negroes and their posterity 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 and seal this third Day of the seventh month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. Thomas Pretlow (Seal) Sealed and delivered in the presence of} James(his+mark)Watkins Edw.Stabler Joseph(hislmark)Bailey WHEREAS WE Jesse Henley & Anne his wife have formerly heald a part in the within naimed Negroes as Slaves which Right title Interest claim or pretentions of claim we do now relinquish and ratify confirm & establish the within Manumission In witness whereof we have set our hands & affixed our Seals this 12th Day of the 2d month 1783. Jesse Henley (Seal) Anne Henley (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 20th day of March 1783. This Deed of Emancipation from Thomas Pretlow Ju'r. to the Slaves therein naimed was acknowledged by the said Thomas to be his act & Deed & ordered to be recorded. Test Jno.Cocke CC Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - John Mariott's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 152, Sussex Co.VA.) WHEREAS by an act of Assembly passed the last session intituted and act to empower the manumission of slaves those persons who are disposed to emancipate their slaves are empowered to so do under certain Restrictions I John Mariott of Sussex County in Virginia having heretofore had under my care the following named Negroes to wit James aged forty years, Aggy aged forty, Farriby aged thirty, Molly aged eighteen, Shelly aged seven, Hannah aged five, Abraham aged three, and Janny aged two do hereby for myself my heirs Executors and Administrators release unto the above named Negroes all my right Interest and claim or pretention of claim whatsoever as to their persons or to any Estate they may hereafter acquire without any Interruption from me or any person claiming for by from or under me except agreeable to the above cited act reserving to my self my heirs or assigns the care and direction of such of the said Negroes who are minors during their nonage to wit the males until they shall arrive at the age of twenty one years and the females eighteen years in witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this nineteenth day of the twelvth month in the year one thousand seven Hundred Eighty two. John Marriott (Seal) At a Court held of Sussex County the 19th day of December 1782. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by John Marriott a party thereto to be his act and Deed and ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - John Cornwell's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 177, Sussex Co.VA.) I John Cornwell 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 a Negroe man named Cuffy aged about twenty Eight years who I have heretofore held as a Slave, I hereby Emancipate and set free the said Cuffy and I do for my self, my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, Relinquish all my right, title, Interest and claim, or pretention of claim whatsoever, either to his person or to any Estate he may hereafter acquire without any interruption from me, or any person claiming for, by, or under me, IN WITNESS whereof I have set my hand and seal this third day of the seventh month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Eighty two. John Cornwell (Seal) Sealed & delivered in the presence of} Thomas Pretlow Junr. James(his+mark)Watkins William Lanier At a Court held for Sussex County the 15th day of May 1783. This Deed of Emancipation was proved to be the act and Deed of John Cornwell a party thereto by the affirmation of Thomas Pretlow Junr. and William Lanier, Quakers, witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Howell Chappell's Slaves 1785 (Deed Book F, page 397, Sussex Co.VA.) I Howel Chappell of Sussex County in Virginia after full & deliberate consideration and agreeable to our Bill of Rights am fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural Right of all mankind & that no Law moral or Divine hath given me a just Right or property in the Persons of any of my fellow creatures and Desirous to fulfill the injunction of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ by doing to all others as I w'd. be done by Do hereby set free from bondage the following Negroes viz't. Patt,Charles, Hannibal, Abram, Christopher, Sall, Tab, Harbert, Peter, Liddy, Roger, and do for myself my Heirs Executors & administrators, from this day release unto the said Negroes all my right and all claim whatsoever as to their persons or to any Estate they may acquire hereby Declaring the said Negroes absolutely free, without any interruption from me or any person claiming under me. As several of the above nam'd. Negroes are yet in their nonage,I desire to have the care Guardianship & insruction of the said children till they arrive at full age which happens, Christopher December 31,1785, Sall December 12,1785, Roger August 4,1791 Tab January 24,1790, Harbert April 30,1797, Peter June 5,1800, Liddy August 4,1800, at which several periods I discharge the above nam'd. children from any engagement to me or any persons claiming under me IN WITNESS whereupon I have set my hand & seal this six day of March one thousand seven Hundred & Eighty five. Howel Chappell (Seal) Benjamin Evans James Chappell Wm.Nicholson Harris Nicholson At a Court held for Sussex County the 21st day of April 1785. This Deed of Emancipation from Howell Chappell to his Slaves therein named was proved to be his act & Deed by the oaths of James Chappell William Nicholson & Harris Nicholson witnesses thereto & is ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl:Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - James Turner's Slaves 1788 (Deed Book G, page 133, Sussex Co.VA.) I James Turner of Sussex County in Virginia after full and deliberate consideration and agreeable to our Bill of Rights am fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural Right of all man kind and that no Law moral or Divine hath given me a just Right or property in the persons of any of my fellow creatures, and desirous to fulfil the Injunction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by doing to all others as I w'd. be done by do hereby set free from bondage the following Negroes Viz't. Lewis twenty five years old, Peter Twenty three years old, Fanney Seventeen years the twenty fifth Day of December past, Sissems Seventeen the tenth Day of June past, Ephraim fifteen years old the Twentieth day of July past, Sall twelve years old the twentieth day of December past, Jordan born the first Day of May past and as for myself my Heirs Executors and Administrators from this day release unto the said Negroes, all my Right and all claim whatsoever as to their persons or to any Estate they may acquire hereby declaring the said Negroes absolutely free without any Interruption from me or any person claiming under me, as several of the above named Negroes are yet in their nonage I desire to have the care Guardianship and Instruction of the said children 'till they arrive at full age which will happen, Fanny the twenty fifth day of December 1788, Sissems the tenth day of June 1791, Ephraim the 20 day of July 1793, Sall the 20 day of December 1793, Jordan the 1 day of May 1808, at which several periods I discharge the above named children from any engagements to me or any persons claiming under me IN WITNESS whereof I have set my Hand and Seal this Seventeenth Day of January In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight. James Turner (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 17th day of Jany.1788. This Deed of Emancipation from James Turner to the therein named Slaves was acknowledged by the said Turner to be his Act and Deed & by the Court ordered to be recorded. Teste Mich'l.Bailey Cl.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Robert Atkinson's Slave 1791 (Deed Book G, page 544, Sussex Co.VA.) I Robert Atkinson 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 leave a Negro woman called Teller aged nineteen years I hereby Emancipate and set the said Teller free and do for my self 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 the above said Negro and her posterity to enjoy their full freedom without any Interruption from me or from any person claiming for, by, from, or under me. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Eight day of the 1st month one thousand seven hundred and ninety one. Robert Atkinson (Seal) Seald & Delivered in presents of} Joshua Bailey Harbert Sledge At a Court held for Sussex County the 3rd Day of February 1791. This deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Robert Atkinson to be his act & Deed & ordered to be Recorded. Teste Michael Bailey C. --------------------------------------------------- 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.