1856 - Rollings to slaves - Southampton Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
10/20/1856
Manumitter
Manumitted
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God, Amen! I William A. Rollings of the County of Southampton and
State of Virginia, being of sound & disposing mind & memory & knowing the certainty of
death & the uncertainty of the time thereof, do deem it best and accordingly do hereby
make & declare this to be my last and testament in manner & form following
Item First. I desire that all my just debts shall be paid
Item Second. After the payment of my debts I give & devise all my property both
real & personal to my beloved wife Martha H. Rollings during her natural life.
Item Third. At the death of my wife, I desire that all my Slaves & their
future increase shall be emancipated & sent to a free State, & for that
purpose, I desire that my Executor hereinafter named at the death of my
wife, shall sell all my property both real & personal & carry them to
a free State & Settle them as comfortably as circumstances will admit.
Item Fourth. I hereby nominate & appoint my friend Wm H. Nich-
-olson, Executor to this my last will & testament.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal, this the 28" day of
May in the year of Christ 1849
Signed sealed & published }
in presence of } William A Rollings {Seal}
Wm W. Cobb
Jno: Cobb
At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 20" day of October 1856
This last Will & testament of William A. Rollings decd was this day proved
by the oaths of Wm W. Cobb & John Cobb the subscribing witnesses thereto & there
upon ordered to be recorded. Wm H Nicholson the executor named in the last
will & testament of William A Rollings decd appeared in Court & refused
to take upon himself the burthen of the execution thereof. And on the motion of
William A. Bell who made oath & together with James A. Gillette & Wm
W Cobb his securities (who justified on oath as to their sufficiency) entered
into & acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Ten thousand Dollars conditioned
as the Law directs. Certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of adminis
-tration on the estate of Wm A. Rollings decd with his will annexed in due form
Teste,
L R. Edwards, C.C.
State of Virginia, being of sound & disposing mind & memory & knowing the certainty of
death & the uncertainty of the time thereof, do deem it best and accordingly do hereby
make & declare this to be my last and testament in manner & form following
Item First. I desire that all my just debts shall be paid
Item Second. After the payment of my debts I give & devise all my property both
real & personal to my beloved wife Martha H. Rollings during her natural life.
Item Third. At the death of my wife, I desire that all my Slaves & their
future increase shall be emancipated & sent to a free State, & for that
purpose, I desire that my Executor hereinafter named at the death of my
wife, shall sell all my property both real & personal & carry them to
a free State & Settle them as comfortably as circumstances will admit.
Item Fourth. I hereby nominate & appoint my friend Wm H. Nich-
-olson, Executor to this my last will & testament.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal, this the 28" day of
May in the year of Christ 1849
Signed sealed & published }
in presence of } William A Rollings {Seal}
Wm W. Cobb
Jno: Cobb
At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 20" day of October 1856
This last Will & testament of William A. Rollings decd was this day proved
by the oaths of Wm W. Cobb & John Cobb the subscribing witnesses thereto & there
upon ordered to be recorded. Wm H Nicholson the executor named in the last
will & testament of William A Rollings decd appeared in Court & refused
to take upon himself the burthen of the execution thereof. And on the motion of
William A. Bell who made oath & together with James A. Gillette & Wm
W Cobb his securities (who justified on oath as to their sufficiency) entered
into & acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Ten thousand Dollars conditioned
as the Law directs. Certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of adminis
-tration on the estate of Wm A. Rollings decd with his will annexed in due form
Teste,
L R. Edwards, C.C.
Record Location
WB 15:607
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
further research needed to determine names and number of individuals freed
Files
Collection
Citation
“1856 - Rollings to slaves - Southampton Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed May 15, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/3185.