Greetings, I have a question. I have ancestors who were slaves in Halifax County, VA. My maternal great grandmother was Allie Chappell, slave to Joel Younger. Allie gave birth to a son George Washington in 9/15/1855, owner listed as Joel Younger. In 1859 Joel formally paid for Allie and her four children, the text of that sale follows. ======================================================== January 1859 Articles of agreement and compromise made and entered into this 27 day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight Between Vincent Carlton as one of the children and as Executor of Christopher Carlton deceased, formerly of King and Queen County Virginia Christopher Carlton the younger son of said Christopher Carlton deceased. Thomas Carlton likewise a son of said Christopher Carlton deceased and the following named persons children and descendants of John F. Carlton deceased likewise a son of Christopher Carlton deceased and the Guardians of such of said descendants of said John F as are infants acting for them that is to say Alfred F. Carlton son of said John F in his the said Alfred's own right and also as Executor of said John F. deceased. James Gibson and Antoinette his wife which said Antoinett is a daughter of said John F. deceased Lydia Anne Carlton and Richard Carlton her husband - and the said Richard Carlton as Guardian of Elizabeth Sneed an infant under the age of 21 years which said Lydia and Elizabeth Sneed deceased formerly Elizabeth Carlton the daughter of said John F. Carlton deceased and the aforesaid James Gibson as the Guardian of Cassandra C. Carlton and Cornelia E. Carlton infants under the age of 21 years which said Casandra and Cornelia are the only children of Absolem F. Carlton now deceased who was a son of said John F. Carlton, and also Mary Ella Oliver formerly Wyatt the only child of Catharine Wyatt deceased formerly Catharine Carlton daughter of said John F. Carlton deceased of the first part and Joel Younger of the County of Halifax of the second part whereas the said Christopher Carlton deceased of the County of King and Queen by his last Will and testament bearing date the 26 day of June 1824 and recorded in the Court on the 13 day of (blank line) 1824 amongst other things did give to his daughter Polly Carlton one negro Esther and her future increase and after sundry other bequests and devises by the last clause but one did direct that should either of his children die without leaving a child or descendant that his her or their part of his Estate should return and be divided amongst his other children or their descendants and whereas the said Polly Carlton died on the 7th day of July 1858 or thereabouts without leaving a child or descendent and the parties above named of the first part children and descendants of children of the said Christopher Carlton deceased now claims that said Joel Younger of the second part has now in his possession by purchase from the said Polly Carlton in her life time, certain negro slaves named Ally and her children Willis, Daniel, Eppa, George, and Henry and further contend that the said negro Woman Ally and her said children are the descendants of the said negro woman Esther willed to said Polly Carlton as aforesaid and that they of the first part are lawfully entitled to said slaves under the provisions of the said will: Now therefore to settle and finally determine all matters in difference as aforesaid relative to said slaves and to present tedious expensive and doubtful litigation in reference thereto. These articles witness that it has been agreed between the parties aforesaid, the said infants by their said Guardians, and it is hereby agreed by and between said parties that the parties of the first: in consideration of the sums hereinafter mentioned have bargained and sold released conveyed and confirm to the said Joel Younger all right title and interest they have or either of them hath or may have in and to the negro slaves aforesaid under the Will of said Christopher Carlton deceased or in any other way right or title whatsoever to him the said Joel Younger his Executors and Administrators forever and the said Joel Younger in consideration of the sale release and transfer aforesaid binds himself to pay to the parties of the first part the sum of fifteen hundred dollars on the proper and lawful execution and delivery of these articles to him. That is to say to Vincent Carlton the sum of three hundred and seventy five. To Christopher Carlton the like sum of three hundred and seventy five. To Thomas Carlton the like sum of three hundred and seventy five and to the descendants of John F. Carlton deceased to be divided amongst them according to their several rights and interest therein the like sum of three hundred and seventy five and it is further agreed between the said Joel Younger and the Christopher Carlton of the first and the descendants of the said John F. Carlton deceased that so soon as the said Christopher and the descendants of said John F. shall duly execute and deliver these articles on their part they are to be of binding force and obligatory so far as their interest are concerned and their shares are to pass and these amounts are to be paid then although they said Vincent and said Thomas Carlton may not have executed the same. In testimony of all which the parties above named have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. ...................................Christopher Carlton............................................... {seal} ...................................Alfred F. Carlton................................................... {seal} Alfred F. Carlton Exor John F. Carlton deceased....................................... {seal} .................................. James Gibson....................................................... {seal} James Gibson Gdn of Casandra C. Carlton & Cornelious E. Carlton......... {seal} ...................................Antoinett Gibson.................................................. {seal} ...................................Richard Carlton.................................................... {seal} ...................................Lydia A. Carlton................................................... {seal} Richard Carlton Gdn of Elizabeth Snead .................................................. {seal} ...................................Mary E. Oliver....................................................... {seal} T. B. Waggener for Vincent Carlton in his own right................................. {seal} T. B. Waggener for Vincent Carlton as Exr of Christ Carlton deceased by his atto in fact T. B. Waggener...................................................................... ....... {seal} Elisha Barksdale Jr Admin Thomas Carlton deceased................................. {seal} ============================================================= You will note that there is reference to Esther, mother of Allie. Esther's name is used to establish that Allie and her children were the increase of Esther. Esther's name seems to be used only to establish she, Esther, was the gift to Polly Carlton by Polly's father Christopher Carlton. Considering the words in the sale, It seems to me that Esther, the mother of Allie has already died. Does anyone see any possibility of Esther still being alive at the time? In 1870 I found a Setha Younger 65y, & Eppa Younger 17y living near Allie & co. Eppa Younger was a son of Allie, so I am wondering if this Setha might be the same as the Esther mentioned in the sale. Larry SEARCHING HALIFAX CO. VA FOR: CHANDLER, CHAPPELL, BALLOU, BYRD, IRBY, BROWN, LACY, McCRAW + YOUNGER AND KING & QUEEN CO. VA FOR: CARLTON To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html