1788 - Gatch to Hannah, et al - Powhatan Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
12/18/1788
Manumitter
Number of Persons
9
Text of Freedom Document
Know all men by these presents that I Philip Gatch of Powhatan County do believe “that all men are by nature equally free” and from a clear conviction of the injustice of depriving my fellow creatures of their natural right do hereby emancipate or set free the following persons viz.
Hannah, Sarah, Jenny and Frances to be free the 25th of December 1788, Milley to be free the 25th of December 1789, John to be free the 25th of December 1798, David to be free the 28th of 1802, Nancy to be free the 25th December 1800, Phebe to be free the 25th of December 1803.
I do hereby relinquish all right, title & claim to the said people after they arrive to the dates above mentioned & not before, and if any of the above persons should have children before they arrive to the dates above, such children shall be free at the age of 21 years. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of December 1788.
Philip Gatch (seal)
At a court held for Powhatan County at Scottville on Thursday the 18th Day of December 1788. This deed of emancipation from Philip Gatch to sundry slaves was presented in open court and acknowledged by the said Gatch, and was by the Court ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Abner Crump Clk
Hannah, Sarah, Jenny and Frances to be free the 25th of December 1788, Milley to be free the 25th of December 1789, John to be free the 25th of December 1798, David to be free the 28th of 1802, Nancy to be free the 25th December 1800, Phebe to be free the 25th of December 1803.
I do hereby relinquish all right, title & claim to the said people after they arrive to the dates above mentioned & not before, and if any of the above persons should have children before they arrive to the dates above, such children shall be free at the age of 21 years. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of December 1788.
Philip Gatch (seal)
At a court held for Powhatan County at Scottville on Thursday the 18th Day of December 1788. This deed of emancipation from Philip Gatch to sundry slaves was presented in open court and acknowledged by the said Gatch, and was by the Court ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Abner Crump Clk
Record Location
DB 1:486
Document Type
Deed
Files
Collection
Citation
“1788 - Gatch to Hannah, et al - Powhatan Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed June 17, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1662.