1791 - Stith to Benjamin - York Co, VA

1791 - Stith to Benjamin - York Co, VA

04/10/1791

1

Whereas by an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia passed in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two entitled An Act Authorizing the Manumission of Slaves. It is enacted that it shall hereafter be lawful for any person by his or her last will and testament or by any other instrument in writing under his or her hand and seal attested and proved in the County Court by two witnesses or acknowledged by the part in the Court of the County where he or she resides to emancipate and set free his or her slaves or any of them who shall thereupon be entirely and fully discharged from the performance of any contract entered into during servitude and enjoy as full freedom as if they had been particularly named and freed by this Act. This indenture witnesseth that I Mary Stith of the City of Williamsburg for divers good causes more especially in consideration of the fidelity and faithful services heretofore performed by Benjamin White a mulatto man about the age of twenty one years hath and by these presents doth liberate, manumit, emancipate and set free the said Benjamin White from all servitude or manner of service whatever and do by these presents declare it my intention to place the said Benjamin White in the most perfect state of freedom and emancipation. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.
Sealed and delivered Mary Stith (seal)
in the presence of
Ben. Waller
Philip Moody

At a court held for York County the 10th day of April 1791
This deed of emancipation was proved by the oaths of Benjamin Waller and Philip Moody the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Ex’d Teste, Ro. H. Waller Cl Cur

DB 7:7

Deed