Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

I Josiah-West Cathon of the County of Southampton
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 devise to be done by , in the
like situation, and having under my care three Negroes
whome I have heretofore held as Slaves, of the following
names and Ages (viz^t ) Will about forty five years
Selah about Twenty and Pleasant about Eighteen
years.-I hereby Emancipate and set free all and
every the above named Slaves; And do for my self my
heirs Executors and Adminstrators relinquish all my
right Title Interest and claim or pretentions
of claim whatsoever either to their Persons or any
estate they may here after Acquire.----

And having also two now in their minority (viz^t )-
Phereby fifteen Pat Eleven years, each of which I also
hereby Emancipate and set free; yet I believe it right for
me to act as Guardian over them until they arrive to
the Age of Eighteen Years; And I for my self my heirs
Executors and Adminstrators relinquish all my right
Title Interest and claim or pretensions of claim whatso
=ever either to their persons or any estate they may ac
=quire after they shall attain to the Ages above, which will
be at the following time; Phereby 1^st 8^th Month 1795
Pat 1^st of 2^nd Month 1799/ All the abovesaid Negroes and the
Posterity to enjoy their full freedom without any interven
=tion from me or any person claiming for by or and
Me In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand
and Seal this 2^nd day of February 1793-------