1856 - Benjamin to Stephen - Lancaster Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
04/26/1856
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I Benjamin M. Walker of the County of Lancaster being of disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this writing as and for my last will & testament.
I give unto my niece Lucy Jane Nutt Delia and Junny and my bureau.
I give to my niece Ann Morgan Nutt Sinah & child William.
I give to my nephew James Mead Nutt negro man Jack, my double barrel shotgun and my bounty land warrants.
My boy Stephen Gerard Jones I leave in the hands of my Exors hereafter named to be taken good care of and supported till he arrives to a suitable age to be bound to a trade at which time I desire for one of my Exors to bind him as an apprentice either here or at the north to learn some good honest trade till he arrives at the age of twenty one years and to be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic if such to the north and the Exors performing that cause to be allowed fifty dollars therefore out of my estate. And if thought by my Exors more advisable to be bound here in Virginia there to some good Master till he arrives to the aforesaid age of twenty one years stipulating with said Master in addition to slavery a trade to pay said apprentice one hundred dollars on his arrive at the age aforesaid, at which time in either event I manumit and set free the said Stephen Gerard Jones and give him fifty dollars to be paid out of my estate to defray his expenses to Liberia or elsewhere, but I advise him to go to Liberia, and I request my Exors to caution him against interfering with the institution of slavery in the Southern states or returning after he leaves.
The balance of my estate of every kind and description I give to my daughter Ann Maria Dunaway to her and her heirs forever.
I appoint Doct. James Simmons and Albert Cundiff Exors of this my last will & testament revoking all others heretofore made.
As witness my hand and seal this 26th day of April 1856 the same being whole written, signed & sealed with my own hand.
B. M. Walker (seal)
I give unto my niece Lucy Jane Nutt Delia and Junny and my bureau.
I give to my niece Ann Morgan Nutt Sinah & child William.
I give to my nephew James Mead Nutt negro man Jack, my double barrel shotgun and my bounty land warrants.
My boy Stephen Gerard Jones I leave in the hands of my Exors hereafter named to be taken good care of and supported till he arrives to a suitable age to be bound to a trade at which time I desire for one of my Exors to bind him as an apprentice either here or at the north to learn some good honest trade till he arrives at the age of twenty one years and to be taught reading, writing, and arithmetic if such to the north and the Exors performing that cause to be allowed fifty dollars therefore out of my estate. And if thought by my Exors more advisable to be bound here in Virginia there to some good Master till he arrives to the aforesaid age of twenty one years stipulating with said Master in addition to slavery a trade to pay said apprentice one hundred dollars on his arrive at the age aforesaid, at which time in either event I manumit and set free the said Stephen Gerard Jones and give him fifty dollars to be paid out of my estate to defray his expenses to Liberia or elsewhere, but I advise him to go to Liberia, and I request my Exors to caution him against interfering with the institution of slavery in the Southern states or returning after he leaves.
The balance of my estate of every kind and description I give to my daughter Ann Maria Dunaway to her and her heirs forever.
I appoint Doct. James Simmons and Albert Cundiff Exors of this my last will & testament revoking all others heretofore made.
As witness my hand and seal this 26th day of April 1856 the same being whole written, signed & sealed with my own hand.
B. M. Walker (seal)
Record Location
WB 29:134
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
funds for leaving the state or to Liberia to be provided from estate - this will is written late in the slavery era, unclear if Stephen came of age before Emancipation
Files
Collection
Citation
“1856 - Benjamin to Stephen - Lancaster Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed July 11, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/2605.