1822 - Whiting to John Brown - Middlesex Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
11/20/1826
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
Eaton Hill 21st August 1816
Being in good health and perfect charity with all the world, I make this my last will and testament. I give to my beloved nephew Francis Whiting my negro woman Nancy and all her increase to him and his heirs forever. My negro man John Brown to live with my nephew Francis Whiting, but to have all the privileges of a free person and if the laws of the country allows his freedom at my death, I desire he may be free in compensation for not going to the British in this last war. I also give to Francis Whiting a bed and furniture except the curtains they belong to Mrs. Elenor B. Hudnal, a bed quilt I give Martha G. Steptoe, also a painted deal box, and a small red trunk that was dear Susan’s. A blue and white bason and pitcher I give my niece Elenor to Mrs. S. Grymes I give a white counterpane. To my brother I leave my large trunk that was my grandmothers, and at his death to his son Francis. The negroes I have a right to at the death of my father’s widow, I desire to be sold and the money equally divided between my godson John W. Robinson, King William County, and F.W. my nephew. My best wearing apparel I leave to Miss Elizabeth B. Murray of Falmouth Stafford County, my common one to Nanny and her children, my little desk I give to E.R. Hudnal’s elder daughter, the trunk hair trunk that was dear S I give to Jno Brown as he was a great of hers. I owe not a dollar to any creature, my work basket, needle book thread case I give Elinor, my silver knife to my godson George N. Steptoe, having nothing else worth his acceptance. I request my brother if I die before Francis Whiting is twenty one years of age to be my executor and to see this will duly executed if F.W. is of age, I hope he will. All my papers to be burnt unread as they concern no creature on earth, and I valued too much the testimonials of regard to do it myself now trusting in the merits of a redeemer.
Amen Agatha Randolph Whiting
At a court held for Middlesex County at the courthouse in Urbanna on Monday the 20th day of November 1826.
This last will and testament of Agatha Randolph Whiting dec’d was this day produced in court and being proved by the oaths of James R. Steptoe & Walter J. Steptoe to be altogether written in handwriting of the said dec’d & ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Francis B. Whiting executor therein named, he is permitted to qualify and thereupon he entered into bond with security & qualified according to law. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate in due form.
Teste, Geo. Healy Clk
Truly recorded
Teste, Geo. Healy CMC
Being in good health and perfect charity with all the world, I make this my last will and testament. I give to my beloved nephew Francis Whiting my negro woman Nancy and all her increase to him and his heirs forever. My negro man John Brown to live with my nephew Francis Whiting, but to have all the privileges of a free person and if the laws of the country allows his freedom at my death, I desire he may be free in compensation for not going to the British in this last war. I also give to Francis Whiting a bed and furniture except the curtains they belong to Mrs. Elenor B. Hudnal, a bed quilt I give Martha G. Steptoe, also a painted deal box, and a small red trunk that was dear Susan’s. A blue and white bason and pitcher I give my niece Elenor to Mrs. S. Grymes I give a white counterpane. To my brother I leave my large trunk that was my grandmothers, and at his death to his son Francis. The negroes I have a right to at the death of my father’s widow, I desire to be sold and the money equally divided between my godson John W. Robinson, King William County, and F.W. my nephew. My best wearing apparel I leave to Miss Elizabeth B. Murray of Falmouth Stafford County, my common one to Nanny and her children, my little desk I give to E.R. Hudnal’s elder daughter, the trunk hair trunk that was dear S I give to Jno Brown as he was a great of hers. I owe not a dollar to any creature, my work basket, needle book thread case I give Elinor, my silver knife to my godson George N. Steptoe, having nothing else worth his acceptance. I request my brother if I die before Francis Whiting is twenty one years of age to be my executor and to see this will duly executed if F.W. is of age, I hope he will. All my papers to be burnt unread as they concern no creature on earth, and I valued too much the testimonials of regard to do it myself now trusting in the merits of a redeemer.
Amen Agatha Randolph Whiting
At a court held for Middlesex County at the courthouse in Urbanna on Monday the 20th day of November 1826.
This last will and testament of Agatha Randolph Whiting dec’d was this day produced in court and being proved by the oaths of James R. Steptoe & Walter J. Steptoe to be altogether written in handwriting of the said dec’d & ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Francis B. Whiting executor therein named, he is permitted to qualify and thereupon he entered into bond with security & qualified according to law. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate in due form.
Teste, Geo. Healy Clk
Truly recorded
Teste, Geo. Healy CMC
Record Location
WB 4:100
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
The slaveholder is unclear if a slave can be freed by the laws of the land, further research needed to see if John Brown was in fact freed
Files
Collection
Citation
“1822 - Whiting to John Brown - Middlesex Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed September 13, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/2651.