The will further provides that all slaves who at the time of their emancipation are unable, by reason of old age, bodily infirmities, or youth, to support themselves shall be cared for out of his estate, the testator declaring:
"I do moreover most pointedly and most solemnly enjoin it upon my executors hereafter named, or the survivors of them, to see that this clause respecting slaves and every part thereof be religiously fulfilled at the epoch at which it is directed to take place without evasion, neglect or delay, after the crops which may then be in the ground are harvested, particularly as it respects the aged and infirm; seeing that a regular and permanent fund be established for their support as long as there are subjects requiring it."[[154]]
Extract from the will of Jesse Bonner, of Dinwiddie, dated 8th April, 1797, and admitted to probate 17th April, 1803:
"Item: I leave the use of the plantation whereon I now live and my New Survey adjoining it to my beloved wife, Rebecca Bonner, during her life or widowhood; also all the negroes belonging to me.
"Item: My will and desire is that all the above negroes which I have lent to my beloved wife, Rebecca Bonner, namely (here the slaves, fifteen in number, are named), with all their increase from this day, be emancipated and go free at the death or marriage of my beloved wife, Rebecca Bonner.
"Item: My will and desire is that if I have no child the plantation whereon I now live together with my New Survey, be given to my negroes and their heirs forever, after the death or marriage of my beloved wife, Rebecca Bonner." [[155]]
The reader will observe, that in many of the foregoing extracts the anti-slavery sentiments of the emancipators are freely and vigorously expressed and the act of emancipation is, in many instances, based upon the conviction that slavery was repugnant alike to the political institutions of the state and the principles of the Christian religion.
SPECIMENS OF DEEDS AND WILLS, 1806-1833
During the time from 1806-1833 there seems to have been a diminution in the number of emancipations, especially in the earlier years of that period. This was doubtless to be accounted for by the difficulties, resulting from the law, which required the removal of the slave from the state within twelve months next succeeding his emancipation. However, with the increase in the facilities of travel, some of these practical difficulties were overcome, and during the latter years of the period the number of emancipations annually made were as large as, if not larger than, previous to the enactment of the law.
Extract from the will of Charles Ewell, of Prince William County, dated 8th October, 1823, and admitted to probate 3rd November, 1823: