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Deed of Emancipation - William Simmons' Slaves 1787
Source: Deeds etc. 1787-92, page 127, Prince George Co., VA

I William Simmons of Prince George County in Virginia being Fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind & that it is my Duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation, & having under my care a negro named Phebe about forty three years of age, I do therefore Emancipate & set free the aforesaid negro and I do for myself my Heirs Executors & Administrators Relinquish all my Right, Title, Interest and Claim or pretentions of claim whatsoever Either to her person or to any Estate she may herafter acquire. And having also Negroes now in their minority of the following names & ages Vizt: Ned & Murry whom I also hereby Emancipate and set free, yet I believe it right for me to act as Guardian over them untill the males arive to the age of Twenty One and the females to the age of Eighteen years & I do for myself my Heirs, Executors & Administrators relinquish all my Right, Title, Interest & Claim or pretention of Claim whatsoever either to their person or any Estate they may acquire after they shall attain to the ages aforesaid which will be as followeth, (to wit) Ned the twenty fourth day of the seventh month one thousand seven hundred & Eighty Eight, Murry the first day of the tenth month one thousand seven hundred & ninety nine, without Interruption from me or any person claiming, for, by, from or under me.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of the twelfth month One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Seven.
William Simmons (Seal)

Acknowledged in the presence of}
John Hunnicutt
William Hunnicutt

At a Court held for Prince George County at the Court house on Tuesday the XIIth day of February 1788.This foregoing Deed for the Emancipation of Wm.Simmons's slaves therein named, being proved by the affirmation of the witnesses thereto, is by order of Court truly Recorded.
Teste C.Russell DClerk

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