This copy of the deed is difficult to read so here is what I can decipher out of it:

Freeman Smith and Lewis Smith were of Surry County, State of North Carolina.

Freeman Smith still owed money on this land.  The persons to whom he owed this money were:
?Sarah Allen?
H C Hampton
bearing dates 18th June 1844, 29th June 1846, 29th June 1846

The tract of land was tract in the county of Surry on the East side of Fish River.

Owners of adjacent land that were mentioned:
Jno Venable
Jno Dobson
Harden Holyfield
Wm Butcher
Lewis Smith

The "proven" date looks like 1 Dec 1848.

It seems that this document was making Lewis Smith the Trustee of this land.  Freeman had until the first day of Dec 1850 to pay off his debts on the land.  If he failed to do this, it was Lewis' duty to sell the land to pay the debts.  He was to "advertise the time and place of the sale at three or more public places in said county".  The surplus money, if any, was to go to Freeman.

Witness was H C Hampton
 

[contributed by Jim Cockerham]

Here are two records for Freeman Smith of Surry County NC.  I am wondering if these three Freeman Smiths are the same person.

1860 Census for Dobson District, Surry County NC    page 190
Freeman Smith age 45 born NC, a farm laborer
Jane Smith, wife, age 32 born NC         [This may be his second wife Lucy Jane Dezern.]
James age 16
Henry age 14
Hezekiah age 10
Silas age 8
Lewis age 5
Joseph age 3
Samuel age 2
--------------------------

Freeman Smith,of Surry County, enlisted 18 March 1862 as a private in Company A, 28th Infantry of NC.  He died in Elmira NY, prisoner of war, on 22 Feb 1865.    [Source: North Carolina Troops, 1861-65, A Roster]
(Contributed by Laurie Gordon.)

Sites for Civil War Prison Camp at Elmira, NY
http://www.conval.edu/schools/sms/www/diamond/elmira.htm
http://mars.spaceports.com/~court52/elmira1.htm
http://www.ggw.org/VintageViewsNY/AE/cards/e002.html
 
 
 
 

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