Sussex Co., VA - 13 Deeds of Emancipation Deed of Emancipation - Elizabeth Gibbons Slaves 1792 (Deed Book H, page 127, Sussex Co.VA.) A Deed of Emancipation by Elizabeth Gibbons of the County of Sussex being convinced that liberty is the birth right of mankind in general & every individual in particular for myself my heirs etc. I do hereby declare the following negroes free from any claim which the law of the Land might intitle me to & all future incumbrance of the nature of slavery at the following periods Viz. Jack about the age of forty eight, Lucy forty six at and from the following Christmas thence forward & forever with their offspring to the latest generation, Cato of three years of age to possess the above liberty at the age of twenty one years in the mean while desiring to act as his guardian. In Witness to which Deed I hereunto set my hand & seal this sixth day of June seventeen hundred & ninety two. Elizabeth(herxmark)Gibbons (Seal) Sign'd, Seal'd & delivered in the presents of-- Thomas Hunt Stith Parham James Gibbons Robert Jones Lawrence Gibbons Sussex Co. this day Elizabeth Gibbons came before me and subscribed her name to the above Witnessed Thomas Hunt & James Gibbons. Mason Harwell. At a Court held for Sussex County the 5th day of December 1793. This deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Elizabeth Gibbons a party thereto to be her act & deed and ordered to be Recorded. Teste M.Bailey CSC --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Margaret Heath's Slaves 1784 (Deed Book F, page 286, Sussex Co.VA.) I Margaret Heath of Sussex County in the State of Virginia do hereby set free from Bondage my servants viz. Patt aged forty one, Toby aged 10, Richmond 8, Peter 6, Bobb 2, Moses aged 2 months,Sarah about forty, Hannah 12 1/2 years, and I do for myself my heirs Executors and administrators release unto the said Negroes above mentioned all my right & claim whatsoever as to the property, persons, or any Estate they have or may acquire hereby declareing the said Negroes absolutely free without any interruption from me or any person claiming under me IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20 day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred & Eighty four. Margaret(herxmark)Heath (Seal) Witness Nath'l.Dunn Henry Jarrad Ju'r. At a Court held for Sussex County the 20th day of May 1784. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Margaret Heath a party thereto to be her act & Deed & ordered to be recorded. Teste John Cocke Cl Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Thomas Hill's Slaves 1790 (Deed Book G, page 426, Sussex Co.VA.) TO all to whom these Presents shall come. KNOW YE that I Thomas Hill of Sussex County in Virginia BEING now in the possession of Sundry Negroes of the following names, which I have heretofore held as Slaves, and being fully convinced that Freedom is the natural right of all men, I do by these Presents set free and Emancipate the following Negroes namely Ned, Gaby, Sye, Judith, Amey, Rachel, Pegg, Succa, Pallace, Billy, Amey, Harry, Sall, Nelson, Patrick, Hannah, Rose, Augustine, Abram, Fed and James and I do by these presents relinquish all the right or pretention of right to all & singular of the above named Negroes either to their person or property they may hereafter acquire, and whereas Several of the above named Negroes are yet in nonage I do by these presents Emancipate and set free all and singular the said Negroes that are yet in their nonage & to enjoy their Liberty and Freedom as by an act of Assembly in that case made and provided. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this Sixth day of March Anno que Domini One thousand seven hundred and ninety. Thomas Hill (Seal) Sealed and acknowledged In presence of} Benj.Mason Tho's.Eldridge At a Court held for Sussex County the 1st day of April 1790. This Deed of Emancipation was proved to be the act and Deed of Thomas Hill by the Subscribing witnesses & ordered to be Recorded. Teste M.Bailey CSC. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Thomas Hill's Slaves 1790 (Deed Book G, page 484, Sussex Co.VA.) I THOMAS HILL of Sussex County in the State of Virginia being in possession of Sundry Negroes of the following names which I have heretofore held as Slaves and being now fully convinced that Freedom is the natural Right of all Mankind I do by these presents Emancipate and set free the following Negroes namely Rebecca, Catherine, Peter, Lucy, Feggin, Peter, Martha, Charles, Linny, Anthony, Augustine, Selah, Ann, Dansy, Dorotha, Littha, Lane and Ann. And I do by these presents relinquish all and singular the above named Negroes either to their persons or property they may hereafter acquire and whereas several of the above named Negroes are yet in their nonage I do emancipate and set free all and singular the said Negroes that are yet in their nonage, and to enjoy their Liberty and Freedom, As by an Act of Assembly in that case made and provided. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this Tenth Day of August Anno que Domini One Thousand seven hundred & ninety. Thomas Hill (Seal) Sealed & Delivered In the presence of} John Rogers Matty Marable Silvanus Bell At a Court held for Sussex County the 2nd day of September 1790. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Tho's.Hill to be his act & Deed and ordered to be recorded. Teste M.Bailey CSC. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Thomas Hill's Slave 1791 (Deed Book G, page 565, Sussex Co.VA.) TO all to whom these Presents shall come know ye that I Thomas Hill of Sussex County in Virginia being now in the possession of one Niger of the following name which I have heretofore held as a Slave and being fully convinced that Freedom is the natural right of all men I do as by these presents set free & emancipate the following Niger namely Jeff. & I do by these presents relinquish all the right or pretention of right to all and singular the above named Negro either to his person or property he may hereafter acquire and whereas and whereas the above named Niger is above the age of forty five years I do by these presents emancipate & set free the said Niger that is over the age of forty five years & to enjoy his liberty and freedom as by an act of assembly in the case made & provided In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of March Anno que Domini One Thousand seven hundred & ninety one. Thomas Hill (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 3rd day of March 1791. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Thomas Hill to be his act & Deed & ordered to be Recorded. Teste M.Bailey Clk. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - John Holt's Slave 1813 Deed Book L, page 236, Sussex Co.VA.) To all & to whom these presents may concern Greeting whereas John Holt dec'd. late of Sussex County did by his last Will & Testament dated the nineteenth day of May eighteen hundred & ten, which was duly proven and recorded in the Clerks office of said County on the fourteenth day of October of the same year, amongst other things Will and direct that his Executor should petition the legislature of this State to pass an act emancipating a certain Slave named Jacob belonging to the said John ~ and appointed Nathaniel Holt executor of said Will who duly qualified as such who in conformity with the said bequest did petition the assembly, at their December Session 1811, to pass an act authorizing him to emancipate the said slave Jacob, who in conformity with said petition did on the 13th day of February 1812, pass an act, authorizing the said Nath'l.Holt Executor of John Holt to emancipate and set free the aforesaid Negro Slave Jacob. Now know ye, that I Nathaniel Holt executor of John Holt by direction of his last Will & Testament and under authority of the aforesaid act of assembly do hereby emancipate and set free the aforesaid Negro slave Jacob, and I do for myself my heirs executors and administrators relinquish all right and title to the above named Jacob and will warrant and defend him against the right and title of any person or persons claiming or to claim by from or under me my heirs executors or administrators and against all & every person or persons claiming by from or through the heirs executors or administrators of the said John Holt deceased, IN WITNESS whereof I have as executor aforesaid hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 4th day of February eighteen hundred and thirteen. Sealed and delivered in presence of} Nath'l.Holt (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 4th day of February 1813. This Deed of Emancipation from Nathaniel Holt exor. of John Holt to Negro Jacob was acknowledged by the said Nathaniel to be his act and deed and ordered to be Recorded. Teste J.C.Bailey Clk. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Hugh Ivey's Slaves 1826 (Deed Book O, page 416, Sussex Co.VA.) I hugh Ivey of the County of Sussex and State of Virginia after full and mature deliberation and fully persuaded that freedom is the birthright of all mankind and that no law human or divine can give or hath given to me a just and equitable right to the labor or service of any human being without making to him or her a reasonable or stipulated compensation therefore and wishing to fulfil in this case at least the Golden rule to do unto others as I would they should do unto me and having in my care and under my authority the following Slaves to wit. Harry, Jinny, Fanny, Lex, Nelly, Creacy, Lucy, Nancy, Dalilah, Martha, Hannah, Lilly, John, James, Nancy, Joel, Matthew, Catherine, Franky, Matilda, Nelly, Hosea, John, Daniel, Jame, Martha, Virginia. Now know all men by these presents that I Hugh Ivey do by these presents relinquish renounce and forever quit claim to the Services and Labor of the aforesaid Slaves and the increase of the females for myself and my heirs and I do for myself and my heirs forever by these presents declare, order and direct that the aforesaid Slaves and the increase of the females shall be and remain free from the controul authority and government of myself and all persons whatsoever claiming right or title to them by from or under me so far as the said slaves can be free and act for themselves under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this second day of February eighteen hundred and twenty six. Signed Sealed and acknowledged in presence of} Hugh Ivey (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 2nd day of February 1826. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Hugh Ivey a party thereto to be his act and deed and ordered to be recorded. Teste L.Lanier Clk. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Richard Jones Slave 1788 (Deed Book G, page 198, Sussex Co.VA.) I Richard Jones 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 establish'd and whereas I have under my care one certain slave Viz. Hall which s'd. slave I hereby Emancipate and set free and I do for myself my heirs & assigns hereby relinquish all my Right Title, Interest, claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever to him or any estate may hereafter acquire and the said Slave Hall shall forever hereafter Enjoy his 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 eighteenth of June in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty eight. Richard Jones (Seal) Signed Sealed & acknowledged in presents } Henry Moss Jesse Wren At a Court held for Sussex County the 19th day of June 1788. This deed of Emancipation from Richard Jones to his Slave Hall was proved by Henry Moss & Jesse Wren the Witnesses thereto to be his act & Deed & ordered to be Recorded. Teste Mich'l.Bailey Cl Cur --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Michael Malone's Slaves 1790 (Deed Book G, page 398, Sussex Co.VA.) KNOW all men by these presents that I Michael Malone of Sussex County do think it wrong and oppressive to hold Negroes in Bondage do therefore hereby mannumitt and sett absolutely free the Negroes hereafter mentioned that are in Bondage to me in the following manner Viz't. Negroe Man James & Floorer to be free and at there liberty from the date of these presents. Negro Woman Amey to be free the first day of January 1791. Negro Woman Jinny to be free the first day of January 1794. Negro Girl Judith to be free the first day of January 1798. Negroe Boy Cieby to be free the first day of January 1799. Negro Girl little Amey to be free the first day of January 1803. Negroe Girl Patty to be free the first day of January 1808. Negroe Girl Joan to be free the first day of January 1808. And I do hereby warrant and defend the Freedom of the said Negroes against me my Heirs Executors and Administrators or ether of them or any other person or persons whatsoever claiming or to claim any Right or Title to them or either of them by from or under me my Heirs Executors and Administrators or assigns & I do hereby bind myself my Heirs Executors and Administrators and every one of us in the penal sum of of one Hundred Pounds current money to each and every one of them, said Negroes to be recovered by them or either of them from such of us as may attempt to deprive them or either of them of there liberty and freedom as above Granted. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this fourth day of February one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety. Michael Malone (Seal) Signed Sealed & Delivered in Presence of} Nicholas Sebrell Mary(her+mark)Sturdivant At a Court held for Sussex County the 4th day of Feby. 1790 This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by Michael Malone & ordered to be recorded. Teste M.Bailey CSC --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - James Moore's Slave 1802 (Deed Book J, page 7, Sussex Co.VA,) I James Moore of Sussex County (State of Virginia) for divers good causes and considering to me therefore moving, having under my care one certain man slave named Tom, which Slave I hereby emancipate and sett free, I do for myself my heirs exect'rs. adm'rs. and assigns, hereby relinquish all right and title, Interest, claim, or pretention of claim whatsoever, to him or any estate he may hereafter acquire, and the said Slave Tom shall forever hereafter enjoy his 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 fourth day of February eighteen hundred and two. James(hisxmark)Moore (Seal) Sign'd Seal'd and delivered in presence of} How'l. _____ Jesse Wren Augustine Sledge At a Court held in Sussex County the 1st day of april 1802. This Deed of Emancipation was proved to be the act and deed of James Moore the party thereto by the oaths of the three subscribing witnesses and ordered to be Recorded. James C.Bailey Clk. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - Henry Moss Slaves 1787 (Deed Book G, page 125, Sussex Co.VA.) I Henry Moss 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 person of any of my fellow creatures and desirous to fulfil the injunction 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. Peter, Ephraim, Phill, Beck, Diley, Edmund and Salley, and do for myself my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators from this day Release unto the said Negroes all my Right and all my claim whatsoever as to their person or to any Estate they may acquire hereby declareing 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 and Guardianship and Instruction of the said children till they arrive at full which happens Peter January the first one thousand seven Eighty Eight, Beck the same Day and Date, Diley January the first one thousand seven hundred and ninety three, Ephraim January the first ninety seven, Phill January ninety Eight, Edmund January the first one thousand eight hundred & seven, Salley January the first one thousand eight hundred and twelve at which several periods I discharge the above named children from any engagements to be me or any person claiming under me In Witness whereof I have set my hand & seal this fourteenth Day of December one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Seven. Henry Moss (Seal) In presence of} Amos Adams Henry Porch James Meacham At a Court held for Sussex County the 20th day of Dec'r. 1787. This Deed of Emancipation from Henry Moss to the Several Slaves therein mentioned was acknowledged & ordered to be Recorded. Teste Mich'l.Bailey C.S.C. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - William Nicholson's Slaves 1782 (Deed Book F, page 172, Sussex Co.VA.) I William Nicholson of Sussex County Virginia after full and deliberate consideration (and agreeable to our Bill of Rights) am fully persuaded that freedom is the natural Right of all mankind,and that no Law morral or divine hath given me a just right or property in persons or person of my Fellow creatures and desirous to fulfill the injunction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by doing to all others as I would be done by Do hereby sett free from BONDAGE my Negro Woman Lucy aged about thirty two years also Roger aged about fifteen years also John aged about Eleven years also Rachel aged about nine years also Fathea aged about six years also Juda aged about four years also Amy aged two years and I do for my self my heirs Executors and administrators from this day release unto the said Lucy, Roger, John, Rachel, Fathea, Juda, and Amy 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 persons claiming under me, and whereas six of the above naimed Negroes are in there nonage I desire to have the Guardianship, care and instruction of the said children till they shall arive at full age which will happen as follows, Roger at age in May 1788, John in March 1792, Rachel in october 1794, Fathea in March 1797, Juday in August 1799, and Amy in January 1802, In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two. William Nicholson (Seal) At a Court held for Sussex County the 17th day of April 1783. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by William Nicholson a party thereto to be his act & Deed & ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl.Cur. --------------------------------------------------- Deed of Emancipation - William Nicholson's Slaves 1784 (Deed Book F, page 220, Sussex Co.VA.) We William Nicholson and Mary Nicholson of Sussex County in Virginia after full & Deliberate consideration (and agreeable to our Bill of Rights) are fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind 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 fulfill the Injunction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus christ by doing to all others as I would be done by Do hereby set free from Bondage the following Negroes Viz. Fanny about thirty years of age, also Milley about twenty Eight years of age, also Peter about twelve years old, also Jane about nine years old, also Anthony about seven years old, also Ephraim about four years old, also Milley Jun'r. about nine months old. And I do for our selves our heirs Executors and administrators from this day release unto the said Negroes all our 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 us or any person claiming under us. Whereas it appears that five of the above Negroes are in their nonage, we do desire to have the Guardianship, care & Instruction of the said children till they come to full age, which will happen Peter of age 10 Jany.1793, Jane 10 Feby. 1796, Anthony 26 May 1798, Ephraim 20 Nov'r.1801, & Milley Jun'r. of age 2 July 1804, Given under our Hands & seals this 17th day of Feby. 1784. Willliam Nicholson (Seal) Mary Nicholson (Seal) Witness Isaac Ellis John Lamb At a Court held for Sussex County the 19th Day of February 1784. This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by William Nicholson a party thereto to be his act & Deed & ordered to be recorded. Teste Jno.Cocke Cl.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.