Deed of Emancipation for Enslaved People Held by William Samford

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Brunswick, Virginia, United States
Surname/tag: Samford

Deed of emancipation, County of Brunswick, State of Virginia, for Lucy Ann, a mulatto woman and her children by Watkins Samford, Executor of the Will of William Samford.

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This document lists names and dates of birth for Lucy Ann and her children, who had been enslaved by William Samford (abt.1787-1855), who directed that they be emancipated at his death. He passed away in 1855. His brother Watkins, as executor of his estate, followed through with William's request with this Deed of Emancipation. The following names and dates of of birth are given:

• Lucy Ann, b. 10 Dec 1819
• Freeman White, b. 13 Aug 1940
• Liberia Ann Adelaide, b. 30 June 1842
• Catherine Collier, b. 26 Apr 1846
• John Arthur, b. 22 Dec 1848
• Lucy Ann Jr, b. 3 Nov 1849
• Mary, b. 4 Jul 1851,
• Martha, b. 13 Jul 1856(?)
• Grandeson, b. 18 Nov 1858

Another son James Augustine is listed as deceased, no date of birth given, but was alive at the time of William's original will (1849).

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Following is transcript of original document posted on: https://dh.howard.edu/og_slavery/52

This Deed of Emancipation made this first(?) day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty One between Watkins Samford surviving Executor of William Samford dec’d of the One part of Lucy Ann, a mulatto woman, of her children Freeman White, John Arthur, Liberian Adelaide, Catherine Collier, Lucy Ann Jr, Mary, Martha & Grandeson(?) of the other part Witnesseth that whereas by the last Will & Testament of William Samford dec’d late of the County of Brunswick of State of Virginia bearing date the 9th of July One thousand Eight Hundred & forty nine he directed his executors (to wit, the said Watkins Samford & John Samford after the said Lucy Ann, and her children, born at the date of the will, and the future increase of the females, should have hired for the sum of Eight Hundred dollars, to Emancipate, Manumit and forever set free, the said Lucy Ann, Freeman White, Liberia Ann Adelaide, James Augustine(?) who is dead, Catherine Collier, and John Arthur, who were living, at the date of the will and the future increase of the females & whereas since the date of the will, the said Lucy Ann has become the mother of other children (to wit, Lucy Ann Jr., Mary, Martha, + Grandison, and where as said will was duly admitted to probate, in the County Court of Brunswick at the November term thereof, in One Thousand Eight Hundred & fifty five, and whereas the said Lucy Anne & her children have been hired out, until their hires have amounted to the sum of Eight Hundred dollars and John Samford one of the executors who qualified has died, now therefore the said Watkins Samford the sole surviving Executor of William Samford dec’d in execution of the trust posed(?) in him & in consideration of the promises which Emancipation….(illegible)…the said Lucy Ann, the mother who was born the 10th day of December 1819, & her aforesaid children Freeman White, born 13 Aug 1840, Liberia Ann Adelaide, born 30 June 1842, Catherine Collier born 26 April 1846, John Arthur born 22 Dec 1848, Lucy Ann jr born 3rd Nov 1849, Mary born 4th July 1951, Martha born 13th July 1856(?), Grandeson born 18th November 1858 and the said Watkins Samford doth hereby renounce all claim to the said Lucy Ann, &her aforeward children. Witness the following signature & seal. Watkins Samford

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Probate: "Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900"
Will Books (Brunswick County, Virginia), 1732-1925; General Index to Wills, 1732-1948; Author: Virginia. County Court (Brunswick County)
Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 62347 #2053367 (accessed 20 April 2022)
William Berkeley Samford probate.

See also: Slaves of William Berkley Samford