1836 - Pattison to Charles, et al - Prince Edward Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
02/15/1836
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
unknown
Text of Freedom Document
I Alexander Pattison of the county of Prince Edward and State of Va being of sound mind, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.
1st I desire that my stage property be kept together for the time of 3 years (the present contract) unless my executor shall find it unprofitable, or may be advantageously disposed of. The other property to be sold at the discretion of my Executor, not to be deferred longer than 3 years, when sold the proceeds used as hereafter specified.
2ndly I give to my wife Polly four thousand dollars (in fee simple) together with my household and kitchen furniture and stock or proceeds thereof.
3rd I desire a fund of two thousand dollars to be laid a part, and put out on interest (with good security) for the education of my younger children, to be distributed in following manner, to Maria Louisa, six hundred and sixty six with interest; to Marion L four hundred and sixty seven, to Elizabeth four hundred dollars, to Lucy Ann two and sixty seven; and to Augustus two hundred dollars; the interest of the several amounts added to each one part. All my slaves except Charles shall be hired out for ten years to human masters, half the proceeds to go to the estate and half to my wife; after the 10 years the said negroes & their increase shall have their freedom and five hundred dollars to defray their expenses to some colony or free state. My man Charles shall have his freedom at the end of any year he chooses, and fifty dollars to defray his expenses to a free state or colony. If perchance any of my negroes do not desire their freedom as above specified, they shall be a part of my estate.
4th I desire the whole of the business of my estate closed within 3 years after my decease (my wife keeping C. Hill one year for her use and that of children) except the stage property left at the discretion of my executor, which shall be closed & settled, if not done before, as soon as practicable after the 3 years.
5th All funds in the hands of the executor, I desire to be put out at interest, in the hands of responsible persons, the bonds to be renewed and the interest collected annually- the funds of course subject to the drafts of legally authorized persons.
6th After the above specifications, I desire the remainder of my property or proceeds to be equally distributed among my children, with the exception that $2000 to be deducted from Susan’s part, which two thousand dollars she has already received and which she will account for. Having full confidence in Capt. Willis P. Bocock, I appoint him my Executor. In witness whereof I affix my hand and seal this eighth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty six.
Witnesses Alexander Pattison (seal)
Wm D. Christian
Jack L. Flowers
Robert P. Philips
Alexander Branch
At a court held for Prince Edward County February the 15th 1836. This last will and testament of Alexander Pattison dec’d was presented in court & proved by the oaths of William D. Christian and Jack L. Flowers two witnesses thereto, ordered that the same be recorded. On the motion of Willis P. Bocock Exor herein named, he with Nathaniel Lancaster, Samuel J. Walker, William D. Christian, Thomas M. Bondurant, Thomas H. Flood and Robert E. Moseley his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond for the purpose in the penalty of one hundred thousand dollars, conditioned according to law, and took the oath required by law certificate for obtaining a probate thereof in due form is granted him.
Teste, B. J. Worsham C.C.
1st I desire that my stage property be kept together for the time of 3 years (the present contract) unless my executor shall find it unprofitable, or may be advantageously disposed of. The other property to be sold at the discretion of my Executor, not to be deferred longer than 3 years, when sold the proceeds used as hereafter specified.
2ndly I give to my wife Polly four thousand dollars (in fee simple) together with my household and kitchen furniture and stock or proceeds thereof.
3rd I desire a fund of two thousand dollars to be laid a part, and put out on interest (with good security) for the education of my younger children, to be distributed in following manner, to Maria Louisa, six hundred and sixty six with interest; to Marion L four hundred and sixty seven, to Elizabeth four hundred dollars, to Lucy Ann two and sixty seven; and to Augustus two hundred dollars; the interest of the several amounts added to each one part. All my slaves except Charles shall be hired out for ten years to human masters, half the proceeds to go to the estate and half to my wife; after the 10 years the said negroes & their increase shall have their freedom and five hundred dollars to defray their expenses to some colony or free state. My man Charles shall have his freedom at the end of any year he chooses, and fifty dollars to defray his expenses to a free state or colony. If perchance any of my negroes do not desire their freedom as above specified, they shall be a part of my estate.
4th I desire the whole of the business of my estate closed within 3 years after my decease (my wife keeping C. Hill one year for her use and that of children) except the stage property left at the discretion of my executor, which shall be closed & settled, if not done before, as soon as practicable after the 3 years.
5th All funds in the hands of the executor, I desire to be put out at interest, in the hands of responsible persons, the bonds to be renewed and the interest collected annually- the funds of course subject to the drafts of legally authorized persons.
6th After the above specifications, I desire the remainder of my property or proceeds to be equally distributed among my children, with the exception that $2000 to be deducted from Susan’s part, which two thousand dollars she has already received and which she will account for. Having full confidence in Capt. Willis P. Bocock, I appoint him my Executor. In witness whereof I affix my hand and seal this eighth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty six.
Witnesses Alexander Pattison (seal)
Wm D. Christian
Jack L. Flowers
Robert P. Philips
Alexander Branch
At a court held for Prince Edward County February the 15th 1836. This last will and testament of Alexander Pattison dec’d was presented in court & proved by the oaths of William D. Christian and Jack L. Flowers two witnesses thereto, ordered that the same be recorded. On the motion of Willis P. Bocock Exor herein named, he with Nathaniel Lancaster, Samuel J. Walker, William D. Christian, Thomas M. Bondurant, Thomas H. Flood and Robert E. Moseley his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond for the purpose in the penalty of one hundred thousand dollars, conditioned according to law, and took the oath required by law certificate for obtaining a probate thereof in due form is granted him.
Teste, B. J. Worsham C.C.
Record Location
WB 7:436
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
Estate to pay for transportation to a free state. The aforementioned Charles freed in DB 22:19
Files
Collection
Citation
“1836 - Pattison to Charles, et al - Prince Edward Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed August 14, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1866.