1783 - Nicholson to Lucy, et al - Sussex Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
04/17/1783
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
7
Text of Freedom Document
Sussex September 18 day 1783
I William Nicholson of Sussex County Virginia, after full and deliberate consideration and agreeable to our Bill of Rights, am fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind, and that no law moral or divine hath given me a just right or property in the persons or person of any of my fellow creatures and desirous to fulfill the injunction of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by doing to all others as I would be done by, do hereby set free from bondage my negro woman Lucy aged about thirty two years, also Roger aged about fifteen years, also John aged about eleven years, also Rachel aged about nine years, also Father aged about six years, also Jude aged about four years, also Amy aged two years, and do for myself, my heirs, Executors, Administrators from this day release unto the said Lucy, Roger, John, Rachel, Father, Jude, and Amy all my right and all claim whatsoever as to their persons or to any estate that may acquire hereby declaring the said negroes absolute free without any interruption from me or any persons claiming under me and whereas six of the above named negroes are in their nonage, I desire to have the guardianship, care and instruction of the said children till they shall arrive at full age which will happen as follows: Roger at age in May 1788, John in March 1792, Rachel in October 1794, Father in March 1797, Jude in August 1799, and Amy in January 1802. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two.
William Nicholson (seal)
At a court held for Sussex County the 17th day of April 1783
This deed of emancipation was acknowledged by William Nicholson a party thereto to be his act & deed and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Jn Cooke CB Cur
I William Nicholson of Sussex County Virginia, after full and deliberate consideration and agreeable to our Bill of Rights, am fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind, and that no law moral or divine hath given me a just right or property in the persons or person of any of my fellow creatures and desirous to fulfill the injunction of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by doing to all others as I would be done by, do hereby set free from bondage my negro woman Lucy aged about thirty two years, also Roger aged about fifteen years, also John aged about eleven years, also Rachel aged about nine years, also Father aged about six years, also Jude aged about four years, also Amy aged two years, and do for myself, my heirs, Executors, Administrators from this day release unto the said Lucy, Roger, John, Rachel, Father, Jude, and Amy all my right and all claim whatsoever as to their persons or to any estate that may acquire hereby declaring the said negroes absolute free without any interruption from me or any persons claiming under me and whereas six of the above named negroes are in their nonage, I desire to have the guardianship, care and instruction of the said children till they shall arrive at full age which will happen as follows: Roger at age in May 1788, John in March 1792, Rachel in October 1794, Father in March 1797, Jude in August 1799, and Amy in January 1802. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two.
William Nicholson (seal)
At a court held for Sussex County the 17th day of April 1783
This deed of emancipation was acknowledged by William Nicholson a party thereto to be his act & deed and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Jn Cooke CB Cur
Record Location
DB F:172
Document Type
Deed
Files
Collection
Citation
“1783 - Nicholson to Lucy, et al - Sussex Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed April 14, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/2295.