Lot 139
Unusual Last Will And Testament Of A Freed Slave. Three-page folio document, signed with the mark of Thomas Robertson, Madison County, Kentucky, October 14, 1846. Robertson names his administrators and instructs them to obtain a warrant deed to a piece of land which was paid for but for which he had not received a title. He then bequeaths "the dwelling house in which I live together with the lot and garden…to Mrs. Allison a widow woman living in Richmond and to her daughter Mrs. Curl also a widow woman," and continues: "…I have a brother named Robert who is now a slave in the possession of Mr. Wilson son in law of Thompson Burnam and the said Mr. Wilson has agreed and promised to let my brother have his freedom. And now if he complies with his promise in liberating my brother Robert then I will and bequeath my brother the sum of two hundred dollars but if my brother is not set free then I will and appropriate the money otherwise herein mentioned. I further will and bequeath to my little bound boy Mint Robertson the sum of fifty dollars which sum my administrators are to pay to him when he shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years. It is my will that all my property consisting of (articles not previously disposed of) eight acres of land adjoining Logans Tanyard, two buggies, one carriage, one wagon and harness, seven head of horses and one cow together with my house hold and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and one negro woman named Jenny & shall be sold on a credit of twelve months….Finally it is my last will that after all my debts have been paid…that the money due me and all money proceeding from the sale of my property…shall be paid by my administrators to Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Curl except the sum of five hundred dollars which sum I reserve for the use and benefit of a negro girl named Ann who is the daughter of Harriett Jones and is now the property of Willis Jones. And it is my will that my administrators shall buy the said girl Ann and set her free with the five hundred dollars herein reserved for that purpose. And it is my will that my administrators shall after buying the said girl Ann bind her out to some respectable Humane man who shall treat her kindly until she reach the age of eighteen years. Then she shall be set at liberty and receive all moneys arising from her hire and use it as her own…." The clerk of the county court certifies that this is the last will and testament of Thomas Robinson, "a free man of colour." Light toning and soiling. This is certainly the most unusual will that we have seen.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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