1793 - Stephens to Swan, et al - Wythe Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
11/12/1793
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
3
Text of Freedom Document
Be it known to all to whom these presents only concern that according to an act passed in May 1782, an act entitled An Act to Emancipate Slaves, that I Lawrence Stephens of Wythe County Virginia from the said authority being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind that God of one blood created all nations Africa not excepted I look upon it therefore my duty to do unto all men as I would they should unto me and having under my care negroes whom I have hitherto held as slaves viz.
Swan – born Anno Dom 1771 Tom—born Anno Dom 1777
Lewis—born Anno Dom 1790
I hereby emancipate and set free all and every one of the above mentioned slaves and do for myself my heirs Ex’rs and Admors relinquish all and every right, title, interest and claim or pretentions of claims whatever either to their person or estates which they may hereafter acquire and having also now in my possession Tom and Lewis in their minority, both of whom I also emancipate and set free yet believe it to be my duty to act as guardian over them till they arrive to the age of 21 years and I do for myself my heirs Exors and Admors relinquish all my right, title or interest or claim or pretention to claim either the persons or estates of the above mentioned ages which will be at the times mentioned all the above said now grown and their posterity to enjoy that full freedom without interruption from me or any person under me. In the witness whereof I have unto set my hand this 12th day of November Anno Dom one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.
Signed, sealed & delivered Lawrence Stephens (seal)
in the presence of
At a court held for the County of Wythe on Tuesday the 12th day of Nov 1793.
This foregoing instrument of writing sealed by Lawrence Stephens emancipating certain slaves was acknowledged by the said Stephens and thereupon the same is ordered to be recorded.
Teste,
Dav’d M. Gavock D.C.
Swan – born Anno Dom 1771 Tom—born Anno Dom 1777
Lewis—born Anno Dom 1790
I hereby emancipate and set free all and every one of the above mentioned slaves and do for myself my heirs Ex’rs and Admors relinquish all and every right, title, interest and claim or pretentions of claims whatever either to their person or estates which they may hereafter acquire and having also now in my possession Tom and Lewis in their minority, both of whom I also emancipate and set free yet believe it to be my duty to act as guardian over them till they arrive to the age of 21 years and I do for myself my heirs Exors and Admors relinquish all my right, title or interest or claim or pretention to claim either the persons or estates of the above mentioned ages which will be at the times mentioned all the above said now grown and their posterity to enjoy that full freedom without interruption from me or any person under me. In the witness whereof I have unto set my hand this 12th day of November Anno Dom one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.
Signed, sealed & delivered Lawrence Stephens (seal)
in the presence of
At a court held for the County of Wythe on Tuesday the 12th day of Nov 1793.
This foregoing instrument of writing sealed by Lawrence Stephens emancipating certain slaves was acknowledged by the said Stephens and thereupon the same is ordered to be recorded.
Teste,
Dav’d M. Gavock D.C.
Record Location
DB 1:179
Document Type
Deed
Files
Collection
Citation
“1793 - Stephens to Swan, et al - Wythe Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed April 27, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1968.