The Will & Manumission

As of today it is unclear how or when Jesse and his family was acquired by Thomas Norris. The relationship between Jesse and Thomas was complex. Jesse was afforded some of the liberties of a FPOC and may have negotiated his freedom.  With that being said, Jesse and his siblings Salley, Fleming, Henry, Mariah, Rubin, Betsy were born enslaved to Salley, an enslaved woman of Thomas Norris. They were considered mulatto and their father is unknown to history.

Upon the death of Thomas Norris 1815, Jesse and his adult siblings were set free. There were a few caveats.  The information for Salley, the mother, is ambivalent. Thomas Norris’ Will and Manumission Records appear to have  manumitted Jesse’s mother Sally but Salley was also probated to David and Susannah Stratton. Secondly, Jesse had  to purchase the younger siblings Mariah, Fleming. He had 2 years to pay $600 to the Thomas Norris estate or his younger siblings would be sold by the executor of the estate.  Lastly, due to the manumission laws in the State of Virginia, he was not able to manumit his minor siblings but had to remain their enslaver, as well as petition the state of Virginia to stay in the state as a Free Person of Color.

Manumission

“In consideration of the faithful services heretofore rendered unto me by my negro woman slave named Salley, along with the unwavering dedication she has displayed throughout the years, I, as the undersigned, do hereby give, grant, and confirm unto her and all her present children, namely Jesse, Betsey, Reubin, Henry, and Salley, the full measure of my gratitude and recognition. Furthermore, this generous act shall extend to encompass all and every child or children that she may hereafter bring into this world with her remarkable strength and resilience…”

Jesse, his mother and his sibling were manumitted by his owner Thomas Norris. Thomas Norris manumitted Salley and her adult children upon his death for her faithful service. He actually wrote their  manumission record in July 1811 and filed it in Cumberland County, VA Courthouse, but made it clear that it would legally go into effect upon his death.  

Sources

Cumberland County, Virginia, County Probate, Thomas Norris, Will Book, Vol 3-5 1792-1817, “Thomas Norris Will” 6 July 1815;Probated 25 Sept 1815  digital images, Virginia. County Court (Cumberland County)