1783 - Spratley to Will, et al - Surry Co, VA

1783 - Spratley to Will, et al - Surry Co, VA

11/25/1783

18

Benjamin Spratley of Surry County in Virginia being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind, and that it is my duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation, and having under my care eleven negroes whom I have heretofore held as slaves, of the following names and ages viz. Will aged thirty four, Natt twenty seven, Lucy thirty seven, Betty twenty six, Simon fifteen, Jane eleven, Mary eight, Sally five, Cuffy six, Annaky three years, and Judy six months old. I hereby emancipate and set free all and every of the above named slaves, and I do for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators relinquish all my right, title, interest, claim or pretention of claim whatsoever either to their persons or to any estate they may hereafter acquire, and having also seven of the above negroes now in their minority of the following names and ages viz: Simon fifteen, Jane seven, Mary eight, Sally five, Cuffy six, Annaky three years, and Judy six months old, and every one of whom I also hereby emancipate and set free, yet I believe it wise for me to act as a Guardian over them until the males arrive to the age of twenty one and the females to the age of eighteen years; and I do for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators relinquish all my right, title, interest and claim or pursuance of claim whatsoever either to their person or to any estate they may acquire after they shall attain to the ages above said, which will be at the following times: Simon February 17, 1789; Jane in the year 1790 August 17th, Mary in January 1793, Sally in March 1796, Cuffy July 1, 1798, and Annaky in 1798, and Judy in May 1801. All the aforesaid negroes and their posterity to enjoy their full freedom without any interruption from me, or any person for, by or under me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three.
Benjamin Spratley (seal)
At a court held for Surry County November 25th 1783
The afore written deed of emancipation was presented in court by the within named Benjamin Spratley who acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and on his motion is ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Jacob Faulcon Cl Cur

DB 12:19

Deed