1844 - Wells to Maria and Emily - Winchester, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
11/02/1844
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
2
Text of Freedom Document
I Alfred Wells (a free man of color) being of disposing mind and memory, do make this as my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and testaments at any by me at any time heretofore made, for & after the payment of all my debts and funeral charges. I give demise and bequeath unto my Betey Wills (a free woman of color) all my personal estate of any kind and description. Whereas I many years since purchased of Emily Smith now Page, the wife of Jno. W. Page my late wife Isabella and her two children Maria and Emily and for which I have bills of sale from the said Emily Smith, now Page, and whereas it is not my wish by any means that my said children Maria and Emily should be slaves after my decease and in as much as some doubt may hereafter arise in regard to the condition of my said children for the purpose of removing all doubt, I hereby emancipate manumit and forever set free my said children Maria (now the wife of James Webb) aged about eighteen years, and Emily aged about between twelve and thirteen years old, and hereby charge upon executor herein after named to see that said children shall have the full benefit of this provision of my said will and lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint James Kern Executor of this my said last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand & seal this 7th day of October 1844.
Signed, sealed, published and Alfred Wells (seal)
declared as & for the last will and
testament of Alfred Wells
in presence of
R.J.M.K. Holliday
James Kern
W.G. Singleton
At a court held for the Corporation of Winchester on the 2nd day of November 1844. This last will & testament of Alfred Wells dec’d col man was proved by the oaths of James Kern & W.G. Singleton, witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of James Kern the Executor therein named, who made oath thereto according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, upon his giving security. Whereupon he together with Joseph Snapp his security entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of four hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs.
By the Court
Lem’ Bent
Signed, sealed, published and Alfred Wells (seal)
declared as & for the last will and
testament of Alfred Wells
in presence of
R.J.M.K. Holliday
James Kern
W.G. Singleton
At a court held for the Corporation of Winchester on the 2nd day of November 1844. This last will & testament of Alfred Wells dec’d col man was proved by the oaths of James Kern & W.G. Singleton, witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of James Kern the Executor therein named, who made oath thereto according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, upon his giving security. Whereupon he together with Joseph Snapp his security entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of four hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs.
By the Court
Lem’ Bent
Record Location
WB 2:140
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
a free man of color officially freeing his two daughters
Files
Collection
Citation
“1844 - Wells to Maria and Emily - Winchester, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed November 14, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/2119.