1780 - Piper to Charles - Fairfax Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
02/22/1780
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I Harry Piper of the Town of Alexandria in the Colony of Virginia, merchant being in good health and perfect memory (blessed be God) do this twenty first day of November one thousand seven hundred & seventy four, make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say)
Imprimis I give to my sister Elizabeth Sargent four hundred pounds sterling. In case of her decease before this will shall take effect, my desire is that that sum may be equally divided among her children.
Item I give to my sister Jean Walker (the wife of William Walker) four hundred pounds sterling. In case of her decease before this will takes place, my desire is that that sum may be equally divided among her children.
Item I give to Miss Mary Dixon the daughter of my friend John Dixon Esq. one hundred pounds sterling.
Item I give to Miss Betty Ramsay twenty five pounds sterling.
Item I give to Miss Sarah Masterson twenty five pounds sterling.
Item I give my godson William Ramsay twenty five pounds sterling.
Item I give to my goddaughter Sally Harrison twenty five pounds sterling, also a right to a third part of a pew in the church at Alexandria now the property of John Muir, William Ramsay, & myself. As a small toke of my friendship for my relation John Dixon esq, I hope he will accept of my gold watch.
My faithful servant Charles hath served me long & I hope from my treatment of him during the time of his servitude he has seldom reason to feel the pain of his being a slave, and advise fortune might go hard with him, therefore it is my will and desire if he is in my possession at the time of my death that he may then be set free. It is not convenient for me to comply with the laws of this Colony prescribed for setting of slaves free, yet I hope while he continues to behave well, if he chooses fit, he may still live in this Colony unmolested, but if there should be any danger of his being taken up & sold, it is I hope I shall have some friends left to interfere in his behalf. It is my desire if that should be the case that he may be sent to England or any other place he may choose where he can be free of the expense of his passage to be paid by my executors.
My desire is that my wearing apparel may be equally divided between my brothers & sisters before mentioned. If I shall die at Mr. Ramsay’s in Alexandria, I desire that ten pounds may be given to the house servants to be divided by Mr. Ramsay.
I give and bequeath unto my brother Anthony Piper all the residue or remainder of my estate both real and personal to him, his heirs, and assigus forever. And I acknowledged, constitute & ordain my brother Anthony Piper & request my good friend John Dixon Esq. will join him as Executor of this my will. In witness whereof I the said Harry Piper have to this my last will & testament set my hand & seal the day & year before written.
Acknowledged by the testator as & for his last will & testament in presence of us.
Harry Piper (seal)
At a court cont’d & held for the County of Fairfax 22 Feby 1780, William Ramsay and John Muir presented to the court this instrument of writing and made oath that they found the same among the papers of Harry Piper dec’d, supposed to be the last will and testament of the said decedent and on their motion is ordered to be recorded.
Test, P. Wagener Cl Cur
Imprimis I give to my sister Elizabeth Sargent four hundred pounds sterling. In case of her decease before this will shall take effect, my desire is that that sum may be equally divided among her children.
Item I give to my sister Jean Walker (the wife of William Walker) four hundred pounds sterling. In case of her decease before this will takes place, my desire is that that sum may be equally divided among her children.
Item I give to Miss Mary Dixon the daughter of my friend John Dixon Esq. one hundred pounds sterling.
Item I give to Miss Betty Ramsay twenty five pounds sterling.
Item I give to Miss Sarah Masterson twenty five pounds sterling.
Item I give my godson William Ramsay twenty five pounds sterling.
Item I give to my goddaughter Sally Harrison twenty five pounds sterling, also a right to a third part of a pew in the church at Alexandria now the property of John Muir, William Ramsay, & myself. As a small toke of my friendship for my relation John Dixon esq, I hope he will accept of my gold watch.
My faithful servant Charles hath served me long & I hope from my treatment of him during the time of his servitude he has seldom reason to feel the pain of his being a slave, and advise fortune might go hard with him, therefore it is my will and desire if he is in my possession at the time of my death that he may then be set free. It is not convenient for me to comply with the laws of this Colony prescribed for setting of slaves free, yet I hope while he continues to behave well, if he chooses fit, he may still live in this Colony unmolested, but if there should be any danger of his being taken up & sold, it is I hope I shall have some friends left to interfere in his behalf. It is my desire if that should be the case that he may be sent to England or any other place he may choose where he can be free of the expense of his passage to be paid by my executors.
My desire is that my wearing apparel may be equally divided between my brothers & sisters before mentioned. If I shall die at Mr. Ramsay’s in Alexandria, I desire that ten pounds may be given to the house servants to be divided by Mr. Ramsay.
I give and bequeath unto my brother Anthony Piper all the residue or remainder of my estate both real and personal to him, his heirs, and assigus forever. And I acknowledged, constitute & ordain my brother Anthony Piper & request my good friend John Dixon Esq. will join him as Executor of this my will. In witness whereof I the said Harry Piper have to this my last will & testament set my hand & seal the day & year before written.
Acknowledged by the testator as & for his last will & testament in presence of us.
Harry Piper (seal)
At a court cont’d & held for the County of Fairfax 22 Feby 1780, William Ramsay and John Muir presented to the court this instrument of writing and made oath that they found the same among the papers of Harry Piper dec’d, supposed to be the last will and testament of the said decedent and on their motion is ordered to be recorded.
Test, P. Wagener Cl Cur
Record Location
WB D:163
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Files
Collection
Citation
“1780 - Piper to Charles - Fairfax Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed July 14, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/3435.