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The Emancipation of Kinchen

Benjamin White gave his son-in-law, James Watkins, Sr. of Sussex County, Virginia, a slave, Kinchen. As a Quaker, James did not believe in slavery; therefore, on Independence Day, 1782, James emancipated Kinchen.  Below is a transcription of the record that is found in the Sussex County, Virginia Deed Book F on page 136.

The Emancipation of Kinchen

I James Watkins of Sussex County in Virginia being fully persuaded that Freedom is the natural right of all Mankind and that it is my Duty to do unto others as I would desire to be done by in the like situation and having had under my care a Negroe Man named Kinchen aged about twenty six years who I have heretofore held as slave I hereby emancipate and set free the said Kinchen and I do for myself my heirs Executors and Administrators relinquish all my right title Interest and claim or pretensions of claim whatsoever either to his Person or to any Estate he may hereafter acquire without any interruption from me or any person claiming for by from or under me. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this fourth day of the seventh Month in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two.

James Watkins' signature

James Watkins his x mark

 

Sealed and delivered
In the presence of
Edmund Bailey
Alidan Bailey
William Marriott
at a Court held for Sussex County the 17th day of October 1782.

This Deed of Emancipation was acknowledged by James Watkins a Party thereto and ordered to be recorded



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