Written by
Smith, Frederick, American
Subject of
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
March 27, 1802
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 13 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (33.7 x 21.6 cm)
Description
The handwritten will of Frederick Smith of Mongtomery County, Viriginia, dated March 27, 1802, in which he bequeaths to his wife Margaret an enslaved girl named Betty, along with a list of other possessions. The document consists of black ink on both sides of a single sheet of off-white paper. The will reads in part: "I give and bequeath to wife Margaret the plantation whereon I live and one negro girl named Betty which is to be hers enduring her natural life, and one horse beast to be her choice my stock and three cows and six sheep and all my hoggs [sic], and six pewter plates and three dishes and four basons [sic] Six earthen plates and one dish and two silver spoons and her choice of the beds with double furniture, all which is to be at her own disposal except the land and Negroe [sic] girl above mentioned which is to be sold at her decease and equally divided amongst all my children except my son Sawyer who is to have two shares." The document is signed with handwritten seal at bottom right of the verso: [Frederick Smyth] and at left is signed by four witnesses: [Sauol Gouder (?) / Penny Hans / Peter Coon/ George Monald].
Place made
Montgomery County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
wills
Topic
Families
Finance
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2012.158.17
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5391497ce-3a5a-46d1-9a18-37c2f5c62d35

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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