Yesterday, I started preparing for a discussion on my family’s history that I will deliver next month at Washington College where my third great-grandfather, William R. Stuart attended school. As I flipped through my Stuart files, I came across an appraisal for the estate of William’s father (my fourth great-grandfather), Dr. Alexander Stuart. The appraisal was part of my genealogy to-do list: documents I’ve had for a while, but have only glanced at. Back in April when I visited Washington College for the first time, I learned that Dr. Stuart lived in Queen Anne and Kent County, Maryland, fought in the Revolutionary War and died in 1806, two years after marrying his second or third wife. He left his son, William, as the executor of his estate as well as the guardian of his children. Yesterday was the first time I noticed that listed in the appraisal were several slaves.
Here are the names, ages and appraised values I was able to make out:
- Tom, 40 years old, $250
- Adam 38, $260
- Richard (last name that I can’t read), 57, $5
- Sam, 19, $270
- Enoch, 18 (to serve 10 years), $180
- Peter 15, $180
- Simon 10, $180
- Hagar, 11, $120
- Sarah, 7, $40
- Rachael, 1, $10
If anyone can make out the other names or words after some of their names, I would appreciate hearing from you. The more information available, the more likelihood some researcher will be able to find another branch on their family tree.
slaves listed in Alexander Stuart's 1806 estate appraisal found on familysearch.org
I believe the name after Sam is Isaac $270, and there is a Benah $100. Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue for the third name. Penmanship wasn’t always the easiest to read.
Good luck next month at the College.
The sixth name on the list looks to be “Pot Hooney”. The one between Simon and Hagar appears to be “Benah”.
Sometimes I have a knack w/old handwriting; don’t know why. Here’s my take:
Tom 40 years old $250
Adam 38 do ["do" = "ditto" (for years old)] $260
Richard Infirm [I think a comment on his condition rather than a last name] 51 do [compare to 7 in Isaac's age 2 lines down; my guess is 51 but *could* be 57] – I see his value is $5 which makes me think the word IS infirm if his “value” is so low.
Sam 19 do $270
Isaac 17 do $270
Enoch 18 do & to Serve 10 years [context? is he selling or bequeathing some? or freeing some? and some are to continue in slavery to the family?? or stay with his wife before being willed to a child or something (that I've seen before in records)] $180
Peter 15 do to Serve 13 do [13 years] $180
Simon 10 do Slave $180
Benah? Binah? 40 do $100
Hager 11 do $120
Sarah 7 do $40
Duley? Deiley? 4 do $20
Rachael 1 do $10
Cash $12
Love reading your blog. Hope this helps someone.