To all to whom these presents shall come be
seen and made known, Greetings:
Whereas, I, John Norwood of Edgefield County
in the District of Ninety-Six, and the state aforesaid, Planter, being
of an advanced age, subject to many maladies, sicknesses, and infirmities,
and uncertain of the time of death, when my affectionate and dutiful children,
Littleberry Bluford Norwood and Louvinia Floid Norwood will be deprived
and left destitute of parents and be exposed to the uncertainties and misfortunes
of this world. And, whereas, it behoveth me and I have considered
and agreed to provide for the maintenance, support, livelihood and preferment
of all and every of each of my dear and dutiful children, aforesaid by
a deed of gift of the following slaves, goods and chattels. And whereas,
Toliver Bostick of the same place at my particular request and instance
have agreed to take and receive all my gifts, grants, deeds of gifts, slaves,
goods, and chattles that I may give, bestow, and deliver in trust and to
for the uses, benefit and behoof of my said dear and dutiful children,
and every and each of them.
Now, know ye that in order to convey unto
effect the intents and purposes aforesaid, I, the said John Norwood, for
and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have and
bear unto my said dear dutiful and beloved children, Littleberry Bluford
Norwood, and Louvinia Floid Norwood, and every and each of them, and also
in consideration of the sum of five shillings sterling money to me in hand
paid by the said Toliver Bostick, at and before the sealing and delivering
of these presents:
The receipt whereof I do hereby acknowlege and for
divers other goods and valuable considerations me thereunto moving have
given, granted, made over, and delivered and confirmed to the said Toliver
Bostick and by these presents do give, grant, make over, the following
negroes and slaves, goods and chattels, that is to say, one negro gril
named Kesiah of a yellow complexion about eighteen months old. Also
one negro boy named Mack of a yellow complexion about three months old
in trust to and for the use, benefit and behoof of my dear beloved children,
Littleberry Bluford Norwood, and one other negro man named Doctor, about
twenty one years old of a yellow complexion, also, one negro girl slave
named Patience of a yellow complexion in trust and for the use, benefit
and behoof of my dear beloved child, Louvinia Floid Norwood, together with
the future issue and increase of the aforesaid female slaves, and each
of them to have and to hold them the said above mentioned described negroes
and slaves, and each of them with their and each of their future issue
and increase in trust to and for the use, benefit and behoof of the aforesaid
Littleberry Bluford Norwood and Louvinia Floid Norwood their and each their
Executors, Administrators, and assigns forever, and I the said John Norwood,
do by these presents for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators
covenant and agree to and with the said Toliver Bostick in trust to and
for the use benefit and behoof of the said Littleberry Bluford Norwood,
Louvinia Floid Norwood their heirs, executors and administrators, that
I the said John Norwood, my heirs, executors and administrators the right,
title, and possession of all and each of the above metioned slaves as above
described with the future issue and increase of the female slaves will
from time to time and at all times hereafter warrant and forever defend
against lawful claim, set disturbance and hindrance of all persons or person
whomsoever. Provided, never-the-less that should either of my beloved
children, Littleberry Bluford Norwood or Louvinia Floid Norwood should
die, (before) he or she, or they arrive at the age of twenty-one or have
lawful issue, that then in such case, his, her, or their share or shares,
part or parts as aforesaid, shall survive unto and be the survivor of the
twochildren I have by my Nancy Norwood, and provided, never-the-less that
if my said twochildren to-wit: Littleberry Bluford Norwood and Louvinia
Floid Norwood should decease before they arrive at the age of twenty-one
or have lawful issue the said legacies or slaves described above shall
be to my well beloved wife, Nancy Norwood. Also, nevertheless and
it is the true intent and meaning of these presents that the said John
Norwood shall retain and keep in his possession, and also all and each
of the above said described slaves and their issue and increase for and
during the time of his natural life, shouldhe choose to do, and immediately
after the death of the said John Norwood, and not before all and each of
the above described slaves with their issue and increase are to be surrendered
and delivered by the executors, administrators, and assigns of the said
John Norwood to the said Toliver Bostick in trust to and for the use, benefit,
and behoof of the aforesaid Littleberry Bluford Norwood and Louvinia Floid
Norwood, their and each of their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns
forever, as aforesaid.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal in Edgefield County in the District and State aforesaid, this ____
day of December in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Ninety-six in the twenty-first year of the Independence of the United States
of America..
John Norwood (seal)
Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of William Smith
Note: This John Norwood died between 1796 and 1800, for on 28
Mar 1800, William Smith and Nancy Smith, his wife, were granted letters
of administation on the estate of John Norwood, dec'd. It is thought
Nancy Smith was the widow of John Norwood.
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