Name | Age | Color or Race | Sex | Role in document |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mary Dowell | White | Female | grantor | |
James Johnson | White | Male | grantee | |
Melinda | 6 | Black ("negro") | Female | enslaved |
Rachel | Black ("negro") | Female | enslaved |
Bill of Sale, with one extra provision. Mary Dowell transfers two enslaved people to James Johnson, who she names as her agent and attorney in the document. The first: “a Negro girl named Melinda, now in possession of said Johnson about six years of age”. The second: “Also I bargain & sell & relinquish unto him (Johnson) a negro woman Rachel now in possession of James Johnson and myself reserving to myself a life estate in Rachel…” No further information about Melinda or Rachel or their relationships. There is no mention of money in the document. Note that the document was initially signed September 19, 1849, over six years before it was brought to Court (March 17, 1856) and registered (March 19, 1856). See also NC.WIL.S.368.1 for another Mary Dowell transaction.