1818 - Turner to Aggai - Sussex Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
11/05/1818
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
2
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I Lewis Turner (a free black man) of the county of Sussex and State of Virginia do hereby constitute make and ordain this my last will and testament revoking and disannulling all former wills by me heretofore made.
Imprimis I direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian manner and as soon after which as conveniently can be, I direct that all my just debts be paid.
Item It is my wish, will and desire that the woman Aggai which I purchased of Henry Chappell and which I have had for my beloved wife for many years should be free and clear from the control of any person as a slave, but having understood that the laws of this state will not admit of slaves being emancipated and to remain therein for a longer time than twelve months after such emancipation without the consent of the Legislature thereof I do therefore hereby direct my executor herein after named to petition the honorable Legislature of this state for leave for my said wife Aggai which I purchased of Henry Chappell as aforesaid to remain in this state as other free persons of color do during her natural life and provided such leave is granted which I pray Almighty God it may be. I hereby emancipate the said woman Aggai my wife as aforesaid forever and do lend to her during her natural or widowhood the land and plantation whereon I now live with all the improvements thereon, also that tract or parcel of land which I purchased of Littlebury Turner, also all rents or profits that arises from that tract or parcel of land which I purchased of Reuben Watkins except that part thereof which I have agreed to sell to Harrison Judkins a free negro, and also what part thereof which I shall hereafter dispose of. Also all my stock of horses, hogs, sheep and cows except one, my work steers, fowls or every description, all my household and kitchen furniture, all my tools, carts, plows and farming utensils, all my crop of every description that may have been last made or may be growing at my death, also all meats and liquors that may be on hand, also the services of the boy James Wright (a said negro boy that will be free when he arrives to twenty one years of age) until he arrives to lawful age which said boy James Wright I had of his parents, all of the above mentioned property to my said wife Aggai during her life or widowhood and no longer.
Item Should the Legislature refuse to grant my wife Aggai leave to remain in this state on the times with other free people of color in that case I do hereby lend the said woman Aggai to my nephew Wylie Turner free negro during her natural life and do hereby make it my special request of my said nephew Wylie Turner free negro to treat her well.
Item Should the Legislature refuse to let my said wife Aggai remain in this state as aforesaid then and in that case, I do lend to my nephew Wylie Turner (free negro) upon trust during the life or widowhood of my said wife Aggai and for her benefit all that part of my estate or property which is lent to my said wife Aggai, but should my wife Aggai obtain leave to remain in this state as other free negroes then and in that case these two items with regard to the lending of her and also the property to my nephew Wylie Turner (free negro) are to be entirely void.
Item There is a bargain existing between Harrison Judkins free negro and myself that I was to let him have sixteen acres of that tract of land which I purchased of Reubin Watkins at four dollars an acre which said land is surveyed to him and he has had it in possession, but I have not made him a title to it nor has he paid anything for it. He the said Harrison is at liberty to be off from said bargain if he chooses, but should he wish the bargain to remain my executor hereafter named is directed to make him a legal title for the said land by his paying for it.
Item I give and bequeath to James Wright (a black boy which I have under my control until he arrives to twenty one years of age) fifteen acres of land being a part of the tract which I purchased of Reubin Watkins and his adjoining the land which I have sold to Harrison Judkins and lies towards Johnstons from a branch to the back of my line and has been cut off from the other part of the tract to him, his heirs, executor, admors, and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my brother Seimus Turner one cow to him, his heirs, and assigns forever.
Item I hereby direct that my sister Sally James may enjoy the privilege of living on and enjoying the balance of that tract of land which I purchased of Reuben Watkins and on which she the said Sally now resides during her natural life by her paying twelve dollars per annum and paying the [?taxes?] thereon which said sum is for the support or benefit of my wife Aggai agreeable to a former clause, but should my said sister refuse to take the land the terms proposed or at any time fail to pay the rent for more than one year when applied to for it in either care, I direct that the said plantation be rented out and the profits arising from such rents I give to my said wife Aggai. But should my sister Sally James live longer than my wife Aggai or should my wife Aggai marry she my said sister is not to pay any rent for the said land after the death or marriage of my wife Aggai, but is to live thereon during her natural life if she chooses by paying the taxes thereof.
Item Whenever my wife Aggai and my sister Sally James shall both have died or provided my sister should not comply with the clause relating to the rents of the plantation to her and my wife Aggai should die, I direct that my executor hereafter named then make sale of that tract of land which is rented to my said sister Sally by this will, to the highest bidder and out of the money arising from such sale I give and bequeath to my nieces Delitha James, Michail James and Delia James each the sum of seven dollars to them, their heirs, executors, admors, and assigns forever. And the balance or residue of such amount of sale of said tract of land I direct my Executor to divide equally among my children Tempy, Judah, Edmund, Levi, Balaam, Ephraim, Cary, and my grandchild Lewis, and should any of those my children be dead before such sale then and in that case whatever would have been their part provided they were living is to be divided among the then living ones of them to them and their heirs forever.
Item I direct my Executor to make John [?Norlton?] (free negro) a legal title in my name to two & a half acres of land which I sold to him some years past and have never made him a title to.
Item I direct that the money derived from the sale of the land to Harrison Judkins a free negro be divided into nine equal parts and one part thereof I lend to my beloved wife Aggai and the remaining eight parts I give to my children namely Tempy, Judah, Edmund, Levi, Balaam, Ephraim, Cary and my grandchild Lewis, that is to each of them one part to them & their heirs forever.
Item After the death or marriage of my beloved wife Aggai I give and bequeath the land and plantation whereon I now live to my brother Seimus Turner (free negro) to him & his heirs forever.
Item After the death or marriage of my beloved wife Aggai I give and bequeath the tract or parcel of land which I purchased of Littlebury Turner to my nephew Wylie Turner (free negro) to him, his heirs, Executors, Admors, and assigns forever.
Item My Executor hereafter named is not to pay my children their legacies all at once, but I wish him to pay them a few dollars at a time & as they are all slaves he is not to wait until they are twenty one years old to pay them, but may pay them occasionally as they appear to want it & may arrive at years of discretion & I furthermore direct that he collect the money for them & not to pay them in bonds or accounts.
Signed, sealed & acknowledged Lewis Turner (seal)
in the presence of
Joseph Jonas
Hartnell Gilliam
Codicil
I Lewis Turner do annex this codicil to my last will & testament and do hereby nominate, ordain & appoint Joseph Jonas & William Dobie executors of this my last will & testament. As witness my hand & seal this 11th day of June 1818.
Witness Lewis Turner (seal)
Hartnell Gilliam
Nicholas Presson
Briggs Chappell
At a court held for Sussex County the 5th day of November 1818. The last will and testament of Lewis Turner was presented into court by William Dobie one of the executors therein named, the same was proved by the oaths of Joseph Jonas, Nichoals Presson, and Briggs Chappell, three of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath thereto and gave bond and security conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste, J.C. Bailey Clk
Imprimis I direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian manner and as soon after which as conveniently can be, I direct that all my just debts be paid.
Item It is my wish, will and desire that the woman Aggai which I purchased of Henry Chappell and which I have had for my beloved wife for many years should be free and clear from the control of any person as a slave, but having understood that the laws of this state will not admit of slaves being emancipated and to remain therein for a longer time than twelve months after such emancipation without the consent of the Legislature thereof I do therefore hereby direct my executor herein after named to petition the honorable Legislature of this state for leave for my said wife Aggai which I purchased of Henry Chappell as aforesaid to remain in this state as other free persons of color do during her natural life and provided such leave is granted which I pray Almighty God it may be. I hereby emancipate the said woman Aggai my wife as aforesaid forever and do lend to her during her natural or widowhood the land and plantation whereon I now live with all the improvements thereon, also that tract or parcel of land which I purchased of Littlebury Turner, also all rents or profits that arises from that tract or parcel of land which I purchased of Reuben Watkins except that part thereof which I have agreed to sell to Harrison Judkins a free negro, and also what part thereof which I shall hereafter dispose of. Also all my stock of horses, hogs, sheep and cows except one, my work steers, fowls or every description, all my household and kitchen furniture, all my tools, carts, plows and farming utensils, all my crop of every description that may have been last made or may be growing at my death, also all meats and liquors that may be on hand, also the services of the boy James Wright (a said negro boy that will be free when he arrives to twenty one years of age) until he arrives to lawful age which said boy James Wright I had of his parents, all of the above mentioned property to my said wife Aggai during her life or widowhood and no longer.
Item Should the Legislature refuse to grant my wife Aggai leave to remain in this state on the times with other free people of color in that case I do hereby lend the said woman Aggai to my nephew Wylie Turner free negro during her natural life and do hereby make it my special request of my said nephew Wylie Turner free negro to treat her well.
Item Should the Legislature refuse to let my said wife Aggai remain in this state as aforesaid then and in that case, I do lend to my nephew Wylie Turner (free negro) upon trust during the life or widowhood of my said wife Aggai and for her benefit all that part of my estate or property which is lent to my said wife Aggai, but should my wife Aggai obtain leave to remain in this state as other free negroes then and in that case these two items with regard to the lending of her and also the property to my nephew Wylie Turner (free negro) are to be entirely void.
Item There is a bargain existing between Harrison Judkins free negro and myself that I was to let him have sixteen acres of that tract of land which I purchased of Reubin Watkins at four dollars an acre which said land is surveyed to him and he has had it in possession, but I have not made him a title to it nor has he paid anything for it. He the said Harrison is at liberty to be off from said bargain if he chooses, but should he wish the bargain to remain my executor hereafter named is directed to make him a legal title for the said land by his paying for it.
Item I give and bequeath to James Wright (a black boy which I have under my control until he arrives to twenty one years of age) fifteen acres of land being a part of the tract which I purchased of Reubin Watkins and his adjoining the land which I have sold to Harrison Judkins and lies towards Johnstons from a branch to the back of my line and has been cut off from the other part of the tract to him, his heirs, executor, admors, and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my brother Seimus Turner one cow to him, his heirs, and assigns forever.
Item I hereby direct that my sister Sally James may enjoy the privilege of living on and enjoying the balance of that tract of land which I purchased of Reuben Watkins and on which she the said Sally now resides during her natural life by her paying twelve dollars per annum and paying the [?taxes?] thereon which said sum is for the support or benefit of my wife Aggai agreeable to a former clause, but should my said sister refuse to take the land the terms proposed or at any time fail to pay the rent for more than one year when applied to for it in either care, I direct that the said plantation be rented out and the profits arising from such rents I give to my said wife Aggai. But should my sister Sally James live longer than my wife Aggai or should my wife Aggai marry she my said sister is not to pay any rent for the said land after the death or marriage of my wife Aggai, but is to live thereon during her natural life if she chooses by paying the taxes thereof.
Item Whenever my wife Aggai and my sister Sally James shall both have died or provided my sister should not comply with the clause relating to the rents of the plantation to her and my wife Aggai should die, I direct that my executor hereafter named then make sale of that tract of land which is rented to my said sister Sally by this will, to the highest bidder and out of the money arising from such sale I give and bequeath to my nieces Delitha James, Michail James and Delia James each the sum of seven dollars to them, their heirs, executors, admors, and assigns forever. And the balance or residue of such amount of sale of said tract of land I direct my Executor to divide equally among my children Tempy, Judah, Edmund, Levi, Balaam, Ephraim, Cary, and my grandchild Lewis, and should any of those my children be dead before such sale then and in that case whatever would have been their part provided they were living is to be divided among the then living ones of them to them and their heirs forever.
Item I direct my Executor to make John [?Norlton?] (free negro) a legal title in my name to two & a half acres of land which I sold to him some years past and have never made him a title to.
Item I direct that the money derived from the sale of the land to Harrison Judkins a free negro be divided into nine equal parts and one part thereof I lend to my beloved wife Aggai and the remaining eight parts I give to my children namely Tempy, Judah, Edmund, Levi, Balaam, Ephraim, Cary and my grandchild Lewis, that is to each of them one part to them & their heirs forever.
Item After the death or marriage of my beloved wife Aggai I give and bequeath the land and plantation whereon I now live to my brother Seimus Turner (free negro) to him & his heirs forever.
Item After the death or marriage of my beloved wife Aggai I give and bequeath the tract or parcel of land which I purchased of Littlebury Turner to my nephew Wylie Turner (free negro) to him, his heirs, Executors, Admors, and assigns forever.
Item My Executor hereafter named is not to pay my children their legacies all at once, but I wish him to pay them a few dollars at a time & as they are all slaves he is not to wait until they are twenty one years old to pay them, but may pay them occasionally as they appear to want it & may arrive at years of discretion & I furthermore direct that he collect the money for them & not to pay them in bonds or accounts.
Signed, sealed & acknowledged Lewis Turner (seal)
in the presence of
Joseph Jonas
Hartnell Gilliam
Codicil
I Lewis Turner do annex this codicil to my last will & testament and do hereby nominate, ordain & appoint Joseph Jonas & William Dobie executors of this my last will & testament. As witness my hand & seal this 11th day of June 1818.
Witness Lewis Turner (seal)
Hartnell Gilliam
Nicholas Presson
Briggs Chappell
At a court held for Sussex County the 5th day of November 1818. The last will and testament of Lewis Turner was presented into court by William Dobie one of the executors therein named, the same was proved by the oaths of Joseph Jonas, Nichoals Presson, and Briggs Chappell, three of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath thereto and gave bond and security conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste, J.C. Bailey Clk
Record Location
WB H:534
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
Free black man freeing his wife. Also, unclear if the James Wright mentioned was a slave or indentured servant due to terminology used in the will.
Files
Collection
Citation
“1818 - Turner to Aggai - Sussex Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed February 9, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/2359.