1863 - Beckwith to slaves - Fairfax Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
06/15/1863
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
16
Text of Freedom Document
I William E. Beckwith of Fairfax County and State of Virginia do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:
1st I leave all my slaves free, sixteen in number and given them all my lands on the southside of Orange and Alexandria Railroad, supposed to be about two hundred acres, be the same more or less. My lands and houses on the northside of said Railroad and now occupied by my slaves, they are to hold until the war is over, free from any rent; also have the use of the stock, implements of husbandry, grain &c on said land.
2ndly I desire as soon after my decease as may be practicable that my executors hereinafter named do pay all my just debts, which are few in number and of small amount, and at some subsequent period, when property will sell better, make sale of the residue of my estate both real and personal and the monies arising from such sales, pay over to my heirs at law.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Thomas N. Stewart and John T. Bronaugh, executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of July 1862.
William E. Beckwith (seal)
At a quarterly court held for the County of Fairfax June 15th 1863. This last will and testament of William E. Beckwith was presented to the court and the signature of Wm. E. Beckwith to the same was proved to be genuine by the oath of Wm N. Berkely of Alexandria. The body of this will was also proved to be in the handwriting of Wm. E. Beckwith by oath of Wm N. Berkely; whereupon it is admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, H.T. Brooks, Co Clk
1st I leave all my slaves free, sixteen in number and given them all my lands on the southside of Orange and Alexandria Railroad, supposed to be about two hundred acres, be the same more or less. My lands and houses on the northside of said Railroad and now occupied by my slaves, they are to hold until the war is over, free from any rent; also have the use of the stock, implements of husbandry, grain &c on said land.
2ndly I desire as soon after my decease as may be practicable that my executors hereinafter named do pay all my just debts, which are few in number and of small amount, and at some subsequent period, when property will sell better, make sale of the residue of my estate both real and personal and the monies arising from such sales, pay over to my heirs at law.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Thomas N. Stewart and John T. Bronaugh, executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of July 1862.
William E. Beckwith (seal)
At a quarterly court held for the County of Fairfax June 15th 1863. This last will and testament of William E. Beckwith was presented to the court and the signature of Wm. E. Beckwith to the same was proved to be genuine by the oath of Wm N. Berkely of Alexandria. The body of this will was also proved to be in the handwriting of Wm. E. Beckwith by oath of Wm N. Berkely; whereupon it is admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, H.T. Brooks, Co Clk
Record Location
WB Z:291
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Notes
Additional research needed to ascertain the names of the sixteen individuals freed. These individuals were also the heirs of Beckwith's estate
Files
Collection
Citation
“1863 - Beckwith to slaves - Fairfax Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed June 16, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/3517.