1845 - Walter to Mary, et al - Fairfax Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
03/14/1856
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
9
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I Sarah Walters of the County of Fairfax & State of Virginia, sensible that it is appointed unto all men once to die, and believing it to be the duty of all persons to make by will some just and equitable distribution of that worldly estate, which God in his kind providence has bestowed upon them, I desire in his holy fear to do this by the following instrument, and after humbly commending myself, soul and body, to the infinite and boundless mercy of God, through the merits of a glorious Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ, I would say –
First It is my will and desire, and I hereby direct and authorize my executors hereinafter named, to sell at public auction on such terms as they may see proper, all my real and personal estate of which I may die seized, and make all legal and necessary conveyances touting the same, viz: that tract of land lying and being in the aforesaid County of Fairfax State of Virigina left to me by my father William Adams as will more fully appear by reference to his will on record at Fairfax Courthouse, the same being fifty seven acres, more or less, as also my house and lot in the town of Alexandria D.C. lying on the Southside of Duke between Royal and Fairfax Streets and now occupied by Benjamin Lambert, all my household and kitchen furniture (except my best feather bed, bolster, and two pillows herein after to be referred to) together with all my stock of cattle, horses, sheep, hogs with all my farming implements of every description.
Secondly Out of the net proceeds of sales I give and bequeath to my faithful friend Nancy Magruder the sum of one hundred dollars as full compensation for her services rendered me.
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my niece Sarah A. Jacobs my best feather bed, bolster, and two pillows, as excepted above.
Fourthly It is my express will that whatever right, title, interest or claim I have or may hereafter have by any construction of my father William Adam’s will whatever to three colored persons namely Mary Jane, Livina, and Lewis, children of Mary formerly the property of my fathers, which Mary with a colored boy named John fell to my late husband William Waters by lot in the division of my father’s slaves, and which said Mary was permitted to go free, that right, title, interests or claims shall cease at my death and they be free to all intents and purposes the same as if I executed a deed of emancipation, it never being my intention that the said Mary Jane, Livinia, and Lewis should be in bondage to any person.
Fifthly I give and bequeath the remainder of the money arising from the sales of the aforesaid property after the legacies before mentioned are paid, to the following persons first dividing it into three equal parts. One part to Hugh and Ann Minor’s four daughters, Elizabeth Minor, Matthew Waring, Gertrude West, and Mary F. Clagett- the second part to my niece Sarah Frazier of Kentucky and the third part to my niece Mary Y. Wren of Virginia.
Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my worthy friends Isaac Robbins and Benjamin Waters both of Alexandria D.C. my executors of this my last will and testament, revoking all others, and in consideration of my confidence in their integrity it is my will that they be not required to give any other security than their several and individual bonds.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 14th day of March 1845.
In presence of and witnessed Sarah Walters (seal)
by us
John L. Ager
Joseph Longson
James Donaldson
In addition to the foregoing, it is my will that Julia Ann Day and her five children William Day, Mary Day, Margaret Day, Albert Day & Isaac day all colored people who now reside within the State of Maryland that they all be free from bondage to any person or persons whatever.
In witness whereof I here sign my hand and affix my seal this 14th March 1856.
Witness present John L. Ager Sarah Walters (seal)
Joseph Longdon
James Donaldson
First It is my will and desire, and I hereby direct and authorize my executors hereinafter named, to sell at public auction on such terms as they may see proper, all my real and personal estate of which I may die seized, and make all legal and necessary conveyances touting the same, viz: that tract of land lying and being in the aforesaid County of Fairfax State of Virigina left to me by my father William Adams as will more fully appear by reference to his will on record at Fairfax Courthouse, the same being fifty seven acres, more or less, as also my house and lot in the town of Alexandria D.C. lying on the Southside of Duke between Royal and Fairfax Streets and now occupied by Benjamin Lambert, all my household and kitchen furniture (except my best feather bed, bolster, and two pillows herein after to be referred to) together with all my stock of cattle, horses, sheep, hogs with all my farming implements of every description.
Secondly Out of the net proceeds of sales I give and bequeath to my faithful friend Nancy Magruder the sum of one hundred dollars as full compensation for her services rendered me.
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my niece Sarah A. Jacobs my best feather bed, bolster, and two pillows, as excepted above.
Fourthly It is my express will that whatever right, title, interest or claim I have or may hereafter have by any construction of my father William Adam’s will whatever to three colored persons namely Mary Jane, Livina, and Lewis, children of Mary formerly the property of my fathers, which Mary with a colored boy named John fell to my late husband William Waters by lot in the division of my father’s slaves, and which said Mary was permitted to go free, that right, title, interests or claims shall cease at my death and they be free to all intents and purposes the same as if I executed a deed of emancipation, it never being my intention that the said Mary Jane, Livinia, and Lewis should be in bondage to any person.
Fifthly I give and bequeath the remainder of the money arising from the sales of the aforesaid property after the legacies before mentioned are paid, to the following persons first dividing it into three equal parts. One part to Hugh and Ann Minor’s four daughters, Elizabeth Minor, Matthew Waring, Gertrude West, and Mary F. Clagett- the second part to my niece Sarah Frazier of Kentucky and the third part to my niece Mary Y. Wren of Virginia.
Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my worthy friends Isaac Robbins and Benjamin Waters both of Alexandria D.C. my executors of this my last will and testament, revoking all others, and in consideration of my confidence in their integrity it is my will that they be not required to give any other security than their several and individual bonds.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 14th day of March 1845.
In presence of and witnessed Sarah Walters (seal)
by us
John L. Ager
Joseph Longson
James Donaldson
In addition to the foregoing, it is my will that Julia Ann Day and her five children William Day, Mary Day, Margaret Day, Albert Day & Isaac day all colored people who now reside within the State of Maryland that they all be free from bondage to any person or persons whatever.
In witness whereof I here sign my hand and affix my seal this 14th March 1856.
Witness present John L. Ager Sarah Walters (seal)
Joseph Longdon
James Donaldson
Record Location
WB U:342
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Files
Collection
Citation
“1845 - Walter to Mary, et al - Fairfax Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed July 12, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/3494.