I am reluctant to make comments without having the entirety of the journal
entries before me; conjecture arising from abstracts is dangerous.
That said, it seems that Sarah agreed with Peter that she would pay him L200
the full reason for that payment not clearly stated. That acknowledgment
went of record on March 17 of 1758, by which entry Sarah, and Peter and
Margaret, agreed that the debt would be fully met if Peter and Margaret
would care for and maintain Sarah for the rest of her life.
For reasons not mentioned, that obligation was met when 4 months had passed
(Aug 17, 1758). That debt was paid by Peter with £61 money, 23 head of
cattle, 2 horses, a sow & 2 shoats, and all household goods, furniture &
movables. (That "all" might be significant.)
We can guess that there was a very considerable change in trust or in the
lives of Peter and Margaret. Sarah agreed to extinguish the debt if Peter
paid her money and gave over personal property in satisfaction of the debt.
It is noteworthy that in March Sarah was concerned about her future, yet in
August she seems to have been in a position to accept cattle as payment.
These entries are interesting. I would search the court's orders and
probate records for a couple years before and after 1758. I also would seek
the death dates of Sarah's spouse and her kids (if any). I also would seek
the death date of death for Margaret, wife of Peter; while it was not
required at that date, Margaret was not a part of the bargain. Death of
Margaret and that of Sarah's spouse very well could be the reason for
entering upon and then setting aside their relationship after but 4 months.
I would be interested to see the full entries, rather than abstracts, and
know if it all came about by reason of debts and obligations that Peter and
Margaret could not meet.
Paul
-----Original Message-----
....On Behalf Of Byron Bowman, Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 20:51
To: [log in to unmask]
....help interpreting a deed abstract
You wrote
"Dear List members,
Below are two abstracts of apparently related deeds involving Peter
Beller.
I do not understand what bargain was made in the first; the second seems
like a sale of an estate minus the land.
Was this a contract for an early form of Assisted living? tho two years
earlier was excused from Payment of future Antrim Parish levies.
Any comments will be appreciated.
Best Regards, Byron Bowman...."
Halifax County Virginia Deed Book 1 1752-1759
p. 466 ( ) March 1758 Bond Sarah Davis, widow, living
on Pigg River in Halifax Co, do owe and stand fully indebted to Peter Bellar
on Smiths River in same county, for L200, (sic) which payment to be made,
binds herself & heirs, condition, Sarah to give to
sd Peter Bellaw and his present wife, Margaret, a reasonable maintenance
during their natural lives, a horse to ride, etc.
Signed: Sarah Davis
Wit: Wm. Cook,
Thomas Jones, James Davis Recorded 17 August 1758
p.
468 6 March 1758 Bill
of Sale Peter Bellar, planter on Smiths River Halifax Co, to Sarah Davis of
Halifax Co, planter, for £61, 23 hd neat cattle, 2 horses a sorel & a bay,
a sow & 2 black shoats, and all household goods, furniture & moveables
to him belonging. Signed: Peter (P.B.) Bellar Wit: Wm. Cook, Thos. Jones,
James
Davis Recorded 17 August 1758
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