1819 - Bleakly to Isaac - Pittsylvania Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
04/19/1819
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God amen I James Bleakley of the county of Pittsylvania Virginia being in a low state of health but of sound mind and disposing memory for which I ought to be thankful to God and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills or testaments by me henceforth made.
1st I give and command my soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body to be devoutly buried at the discretion of my executor.
2ndly It is my will and desire that my just debts be honestly paid out of the money arising from the sale of all my household & (?) furniture. And the land I bought of Benjamin Bleakley. If any debt should remain not paid my executors hereafter named is requested at his discretion to sell property that can be best spent and until all my just debts are fully discharged. a
3rdly In a formal will hearing date the 16 day of March 1816 I did devise and give to my wife Elizabeth then living certain property therein named which property the said Eliza my wife before her death requested that the said property should be given to the person hereafter named [ILLEGIBLE]. I give to Joseph Smith brother to my wife one negro man ted and one negro woman Fann and all her increase except Richmond to him and his heirs forever. I give to Betsey Smith daughter of Joseph Smith one grey horse saddle and bridle I give unto Betsey Sanee daughter of Isaac Sanee one negro boy by the name of Richmond to her and her heirs forever my will is that after my death my negro boy Isaac for his dutiful help and faithful discharge of all command and while my wife was sick and in my calamity shall be set free and liberated from serving any person except the laws of the country and should this item be not valued I request my executor to use all legal constitutionally measures for the said negro boys liberation.
4thly I give and bequeath to James B. Smith [???] of wills and Smith after all my just debts are fully satisfied my general expenses paid and all legal expenses for the executor of this my last will shall be satisfied all and every part of the residence of my estate both rail and the control of my executor to whom I empower at discretion to [???] the negroes on the plantation for cropping or any way the may think best to advance the gift for the benefit of the said James B Smith until her do arrive to lawful age to enjoy it that provided that the said J B Smith do live and this life before he do arise to lawful age to enjoy it in that case should it happen the gifts before mentioned is to descend equally between all the children of the said Father William Smith by his present wife but under the ongoing control as before [???] in favor of James B Smith or those of them that may live to lawful age to enjoy it
5thly and lastly I recommend I appoint my friend Willaim C Stuart and Samuel Biek executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this 27 Day of February in the year of our Lord Christ 1879
Teste Robert Devin
Davis Adams
Thomas Parrish
John Emerson
John Bleakley seal
1st I give and command my soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body to be devoutly buried at the discretion of my executor.
2ndly It is my will and desire that my just debts be honestly paid out of the money arising from the sale of all my household & (?) furniture. And the land I bought of Benjamin Bleakley. If any debt should remain not paid my executors hereafter named is requested at his discretion to sell property that can be best spent and until all my just debts are fully discharged. a
3rdly In a formal will hearing date the 16 day of March 1816 I did devise and give to my wife Elizabeth then living certain property therein named which property the said Eliza my wife before her death requested that the said property should be given to the person hereafter named [ILLEGIBLE]. I give to Joseph Smith brother to my wife one negro man ted and one negro woman Fann and all her increase except Richmond to him and his heirs forever. I give to Betsey Smith daughter of Joseph Smith one grey horse saddle and bridle I give unto Betsey Sanee daughter of Isaac Sanee one negro boy by the name of Richmond to her and her heirs forever my will is that after my death my negro boy Isaac for his dutiful help and faithful discharge of all command and while my wife was sick and in my calamity shall be set free and liberated from serving any person except the laws of the country and should this item be not valued I request my executor to use all legal constitutionally measures for the said negro boys liberation.
4thly I give and bequeath to James B. Smith [???] of wills and Smith after all my just debts are fully satisfied my general expenses paid and all legal expenses for the executor of this my last will shall be satisfied all and every part of the residence of my estate both rail and the control of my executor to whom I empower at discretion to [???] the negroes on the plantation for cropping or any way the may think best to advance the gift for the benefit of the said James B Smith until her do arrive to lawful age to enjoy it that provided that the said J B Smith do live and this life before he do arise to lawful age to enjoy it in that case should it happen the gifts before mentioned is to descend equally between all the children of the said Father William Smith by his present wife but under the ongoing control as before [???] in favor of James B Smith or those of them that may live to lawful age to enjoy it
5thly and lastly I recommend I appoint my friend Willaim C Stuart and Samuel Biek executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this 27 Day of February in the year of our Lord Christ 1879
Teste Robert Devin
Davis Adams
Thomas Parrish
John Emerson
John Bleakley seal
Record Location
D&WB 11:507-508
Document Type
LW&T
Files
Collection
Citation
“1819 - Bleakly to Isaac - Pittsylvania Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed June 13, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/965.