Slave Name Roll Project: RELEASING Will, Cintha, Delph, Cate, Darkis, Roas, Alesey, Chloe, Charlote, Feby, Jude, Peggy, Rick, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal, Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony

Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I’ve made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. Today I’m RELEASING Will, Cintha, Delph, Cate, Darkis, Roas (Rose), Alesey, Chloe, Charlote, Feby, Jude, Peggy, Rick, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal, Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony.

While searching the Chancery Records of Virginia for records naming my ancestors I found this very large bundle initiated by Joseph Peters, Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders. Joseph Peters was the brother of my 3rd great-grandfather Jordan N. Peters and the son-in-law of Gideon Smith who in turn was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.

I have only scratched the surface of this case with this transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Mary (Hairston) Smith’s father Robert Hairston who died in 1791 in Franklin County, Virginia. The slave named Delph given to Mary in the will had two children and they in turn had more offspring. During October I hope to go through the 127 images which include Bills of Sale, many passages with names and ages, and one long paragraph which includes the names and ages of the originally purchased slaves as well as their increase.

Last Will & Testament of Robert Hairston found in Virginia Chancery Records File Number 1851-022 Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 43 of 127)

Last Will & Testament of Robert Hairston found in Virginia Chancery Records File Number 1851-022 Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 44 of 127)

In the name of God, Amen. I Robert Hairston being sick
of body but of perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain
this my last Will & Testament, in manner and form following:
First I recommend my Soul to God who first give it me
and my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors
and touching my worldly goods which it has been please
God to bless me with. I give and bequeath in manner and
form following – Item. I give and bequeath to my loving
son George Hairston five shillings Starling, unto him and
his heirs forever. – Item. I give and bequeath unto my
loving son Peter Hairston, one negro boy Will, to have
after his mother’s death, to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give unto my beloved son Samuel Hairston five
shillings Starling, to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter
Elizebeth Rowland one negro gairl Cintha, to be first
and kept in the care of George Hairston, to make what
use of it he can for the support of her and her heirs of
her body forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter
Mary Smith one negro gairl Delph, also one mare
& coalt, also two head of cattle, one feather Bed and
furniture, unto her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Ruth
Hairston one negro gairl Cate, also one named Darkis,
one dark bay mare & colt, one feather Bed & furniture
also seven head of cattle, one Chest & Trunk, to her and
her heirs forever.- Item. I give and bequeath unto
my beloved daughter Agness Hairston, two negro gairls
Roas and Alesey, also one feather bed & furniture, one mare,
seven hand of cattle, one Desk & Trunk, to her and her heirs
forever. – Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved grand
daughters Elizabeth Hairston Rowland and Martha, one
negro woman Chloe and child Charlote, also a feather
bed & furniture to be equally divided, with their increase whenever
they both comes of age, to them and their heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my belove wife Ruth Hairston
one negro Feby, also Jude, Peggy, Rick and, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal,
Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony, likewise the hale of my lands,
stocks of all kinds, household and chitchen furniture, with
all plantation utentials during her life, and after her
decease, to be equally divided between her six daughters,
viz. Martha Hunter, Elizebeth Rowland, Mary Smith, Ruth
Hairston, Jinny Rentfro, Agness Hairston. Item. I leave
my beloved wife Ruth Hairston, Executrix and George Hairston
Executor of this my last will & testament. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
searth this 26th day of May 1790.
                                                Roert Hairston
Witness
Will B. Price
Brett Stovall
Jimmey James

At a court held for Franklin County on Monday the 3d day
of August 1791 – This Will & Testament was presented in court
by George Hairston and Ruth Hairston, Executor and Executrix
therein named and proved by the oaths of William B. Price,
Brett Stovall & Jimmey James witnesses thereto subscribed and
ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executor
& Executrix, who made oath thereto certificate is granted
them for obtaining probate therof in due form.
                                        Teste.
                                            James Callaway, Clk
                      A copy.
                                 Teste. M. G. Carper, Clk

[Transcribed 30 September 2015 from the images of the chancery records.]

Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:

Slave Name Roll Project: RELEASING Will, Cintha, Delph, Cate, Darkis, Roas, Alesey, Chloe, Charlote, Feby, Jude, Peggy, Rick, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal, Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony

Slave Name Roll Project: RELEASING Delph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime and the children

Slave Name Roll Project: Bill of Sale for Delph, Benjamin, and Sukey

Slave Name Roll Project: Bill of Sale for Tom

Slave Name Roll Project: Bills of Sale and Memorandum of Agreement for Jacob

Slave Name Roll Project: Bills of Sale for Peggy and Aime

Slave Name Roll Project: A Conclusion Concerning Delph’s Relationship in the Family

© 2015 Cathy Meder-Dempsey