On View
Slavery and Freedom Gallery
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
Written by
Preston, Thomas L., American
Subject of
Preston, Sarah Buchanan Cambell, American, 1778 - 1846
Preston, Charles H. C., American
Preston, Maria T. C., American
Preston, John M., American, 1838 - 1928
Preston, John M., American, 1788 - 1861
Preston, John S., American, 1809 - 1881
Preston, William C., American
Floyd, Sally B., American, born 1812
Hampton, Margaret B. F., American, born 1818
McDowell, Susanna S., American, born 1834
Breckenridge, A. Sophonisba, American
Carrington, E. H., American
Unidentified Child or Children
Unidentified Man or Men
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
August 28, 1847
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 10 x 8 in. (25.4 x 20.3 cm)
Description
A printed document outlining the division of the estate of Mrs. Sarah B. Preston of Abingdon, Virginia. The document consists of printed black ink on a single sheet of off-white paper, bi-folded to make four pages. The main page is titled [Schedule of the Estate of Mrs. Sarah B. Preston.] at the top and divides the estate into two separate sections: [REAL ESTATE.], [PERSONAL ESTATE.], with the property items listed on the left and the inheritor(s) on the right. The personal estate has been further subdivided into [NEGROES.] and [HOUSEHOLD PROPERTY]. Within the "Negroes" section are twenty-nine (29) enslaved persons divided into six groupings by the person to inherit them from Preston. To T.L. Preston: [Jim Wallace, Jody, John Black, Allen, Cyrus Gannaway]; to M.B.F. Hampton: [Patience, John, Tom]; to John S. Preston: [Henry Spot, Polly, William]; to Wm. C. Preston: [Cook Lewis, Isaac, Alfred, Jim Reagan]; to S.C. Preston: [Barney, Old Phebe, Mahain, Little Phebe]; and [Willis, Charles Campbell, Old Henry, Speaker Ned, Ambrose, Spencer, old Charles, old Tom, Mary, Fanny] are noted as [Not devised, and falling therefore into residuary fund - left to sons.].
On the opposite side of the sheet is a page with a letter regarding the [foregoing Schedule exhibits the estate of Mrs. Sarah B. Preston, as devised by her will] and notes terms and valuations of the property "the Saltworks." It is dated [ABINGDON, VA., AUG. 28, 1847] at the top right and signed by [L. Preston Exc.] at the bottom right.
The final page with text has handwriting in landscape orientation reading [Co. W. C. Preston / Glenn Spring / SC]. Next to "Glenn Spring" is "Columbia," with a strikethrough. In a different hand at top left center, [Schedule of / my mother's property]. There are two round postmarks, one in faded brown ink for Abingdon, Virginia dated [AUG 31] and another in red ink for Columbia, South Carolina dated [11 SEP].
Place made
Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
estate records
Topic
American South
Finance
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2012.158.13
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51d3f9ceb-aecf-4c58-9350-31a017a61afe

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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