1850 - Sloan to Elmira - Rappahannock Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
07/08/1850
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I Mary Sloan of Rappahannock County and State of Virginia being of sound and disposing mine and memory in view of the uncertainty of life do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all others by me at any time heretofore made.
First, I desire that out of my personal estate all my funeral expenses and just debts be paid by my executor hereinafter named.
Secondly, from motives of benevolence and in consideration of the fidelity and general good conduct of my servant woman Elmira, I hereby manumit and set free from slavery the said woman and do give grant and release unto her all my right, title and claim to her person, labor and services and require of my executor hereinafter named to obtain if possible from the County Court of Rappahannock or from the legislature of the State of Virginia permission for the said Elmira to remain in the State of Virginia during her natural life, or during her good behavior as a citizen thereof, and in the vent of my said Executor failing to obtain such permission I will and direct that he my said executor shall take the management, control and direction of my said servant Elmira and appropriate the bequest hereinafter made for her use to her support and maintenance permitting her if she prefers to remain on the farm on which I reside.
Thirdly, I desire to provide and secure for the said woman Elmira a comfortable maintenance and support during her natural life and for that purpose hereby give & bequeath unto John S. Hughes and his heirs the following property in trust for her. The farm and premises upon which I reside upon the condition that he the said John S. Hughes shall have the direction, management and control thereof and that she the said woman shall be privileged during her life to live and remain upon it, and to remain upon it, and to receive & enjoy the annual rents and profits issuing therefrom. I likewise devise to the said woman Elmira the choice of any horse I may have at my decease, the choice of any cow I may own, all my stock of hogs and sheep, the farming utensils with all the kitchen furniture, one feather bed, and bed clothing.
Fourthly, to Silas Daniel I will and bequeath one feather bed and one cow.
Fifthly, In consideration of the natural love and affection which I bear and have to my friend John S. Hughes I give, devise and bequeath unto him after the termination of the life estate above devised, the said farm and premises upon which I reside with all the tenements and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the same to him and his heirs forever.
Sixthly. I further give and bequeath unto my friend the said John S. Hughes and his heirs forever a certain negro slaves to wit: Sarah, Georgianna, Charles and Cassey as well as all the rest and residue of my property, and estate in possession or hereafter to be acquired, of what nature or kind ever.
Seventhly, I nominate & appoint John S. Hughes Executor of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 3rd day of June 1841.
Signed, sealed & published and declared Mary Sloan (seal)
by the testatrix as and for the last
will and testament in our presence
Sam’l S. Ralls
W.A. Lillard
In Rappahannock County Court 8th of July 1850
This last will and testament of Mary Sloan dec’d was this day produced to the Court, proved by the oaths of Samuel S. Ralls and William A. Lillard the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of John S. Hughes the Executor therein named who made oath thereto and together with Thomas Hughes and Middleton Miller his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $3000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.
Test,
W.J. Menefee CC
First, I desire that out of my personal estate all my funeral expenses and just debts be paid by my executor hereinafter named.
Secondly, from motives of benevolence and in consideration of the fidelity and general good conduct of my servant woman Elmira, I hereby manumit and set free from slavery the said woman and do give grant and release unto her all my right, title and claim to her person, labor and services and require of my executor hereinafter named to obtain if possible from the County Court of Rappahannock or from the legislature of the State of Virginia permission for the said Elmira to remain in the State of Virginia during her natural life, or during her good behavior as a citizen thereof, and in the vent of my said Executor failing to obtain such permission I will and direct that he my said executor shall take the management, control and direction of my said servant Elmira and appropriate the bequest hereinafter made for her use to her support and maintenance permitting her if she prefers to remain on the farm on which I reside.
Thirdly, I desire to provide and secure for the said woman Elmira a comfortable maintenance and support during her natural life and for that purpose hereby give & bequeath unto John S. Hughes and his heirs the following property in trust for her. The farm and premises upon which I reside upon the condition that he the said John S. Hughes shall have the direction, management and control thereof and that she the said woman shall be privileged during her life to live and remain upon it, and to remain upon it, and to receive & enjoy the annual rents and profits issuing therefrom. I likewise devise to the said woman Elmira the choice of any horse I may have at my decease, the choice of any cow I may own, all my stock of hogs and sheep, the farming utensils with all the kitchen furniture, one feather bed, and bed clothing.
Fourthly, to Silas Daniel I will and bequeath one feather bed and one cow.
Fifthly, In consideration of the natural love and affection which I bear and have to my friend John S. Hughes I give, devise and bequeath unto him after the termination of the life estate above devised, the said farm and premises upon which I reside with all the tenements and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the same to him and his heirs forever.
Sixthly. I further give and bequeath unto my friend the said John S. Hughes and his heirs forever a certain negro slaves to wit: Sarah, Georgianna, Charles and Cassey as well as all the rest and residue of my property, and estate in possession or hereafter to be acquired, of what nature or kind ever.
Seventhly, I nominate & appoint John S. Hughes Executor of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 3rd day of June 1841.
Signed, sealed & published and declared Mary Sloan (seal)
by the testatrix as and for the last
will and testament in our presence
Sam’l S. Ralls
W.A. Lillard
In Rappahannock County Court 8th of July 1850
This last will and testament of Mary Sloan dec’d was this day produced to the Court, proved by the oaths of Samuel S. Ralls and William A. Lillard the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of John S. Hughes the Executor therein named who made oath thereto and together with Thomas Hughes and Middleton Miller his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $3000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.
Test,
W.J. Menefee CC
Record Location
WB C:57
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
The estate is to provide for Elmira's support
Files
Collection
Citation
“1850 - Sloan to Elmira - Rappahannock Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed February 16, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/2004.