1783 - Ballard to Squire York - Bedford Co, VA

1783 - Ballard to Squire York - Bedford Co, VA

02/24/1783

1

I William Ballard of the County of Bedford Virginia being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind & being desirous to fulfill the injunction of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ by doing unto others as I would be done by do therefore declare that having under my care a negro boy named Squire York aged about thirteen years, I do hereby for myself, my heirs &c emancipate & set free the above named negro boy after he shall arrive to lawful age which he shall enjoy in as full and ample manner as if he had been born of free parents & do hereby relinquish unto the said Squire York all my right, title, interest or claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever or any person claiming for by or under me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 24th day of the second month, seventeen hundred & eighty three.
William Ballard (seal)

At a court held for Bedford County 24th February 1783
This writing was acknowledged by William Ballard party thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Ex’d Teste, Ja’s Steptoe Clk

DB 7:179

Deed