1851 - Nelson to Mary, et al. - Halifax Co, VA

Dublin Core

Title

1851 - Nelson to Mary, et al. - Halifax Co, VA

Description

Manumission of seven individuals by the last will of Nathaniel Nelson of Halifax County, VA

Date

Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata

Date

02/11/1851

Manumitter

Number of Persons

7

Text of Freedom Document

I Nathaniel Nelson of the County of Halifax and State of Virginia, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following

1st It is my will and desire alter my death, that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid out of my estate
2nd I give to my friend Beverly R Fleming my negro man Anthony, to him and his heirs forever
3rd At my death I emancipate and set free the following slaves to wit: Mary, Coleman, Mary Jane, Betsy, Martha, Sally & Susan, and all their increase, at the time of my death, to be carried by my executor hereafter named, to Olio, or some other state where the laws will permit them to settle and live as free people of colour, my said executor, to exercise his own discretion as to the place of settling them

4th It is my will and desire that my executor hereafter named shall at my death sell the whole of the Balance of my estate both real and personal, and collect all debts due me, and all the money arising from such sale and collection, to he used by him, in carrying and settling; the slaves above mentioned, set free by this will and also out of such money pay himself reasonable compensation for his time and
*trouble, in attending to the selling, collecting and settlement of my estate, and carrying and settling the above named slaves set free in the third clause of this will as thereon directed, and alter paying himself for his trouble, and all expenses in moving them, and buying them a comfortable home and providing them with the necessary means of living the first year; if any money should remain I desire my executor to equally divide it among them in the best way he can for them to enjoy it, such as may be of lawful age to pay over to them and such as are under age pay their part to their mother or such person as she may choose to hold it for them until they become of age, the mother to have an equal part with the children
5th It is my will and desire that il any of the slaves set free by this will, should die before they arrive at lawful age, or before my executor has settled them agreeable to the provisions of this will, that the survivors shall have the interest of such as may die
6th It is my will and desire that all the property put in possession of the above mentioned slaves set free, by this will, by my executor; shall be theirs in fee simple to them and their heirs forever they having the right to dispose of it by will or sale in such proportion as they are entitled by equal division
7th and lastly I make constitute and appoint my friend Beverly R Fleming Executor of this my last will and testament, and desire the court to require no security of him, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th day of February 1851."

Record Location

WB 23:536

Document Type

LW&T

Files

1851_Halifax_Nelson to Mary et al_Will Book 23_536.jpg
1851_Halifax_Nelson to Mary et al_Will Book 23_537.jpg

Citation

“1851 - Nelson to Mary, et al. - Halifax Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed February 16, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1101.