"I give to my slaves their freedom, to which my conscience tells me they are justly entitled. It has a long time been a matter of deepest regret to me that the circumstances under which I inherited them and the obstacles thrown in the way by the laws of the land have prevented my emancipating them in my lifetime, which it is my full intention to do in case I can accomplish it."
The will makes provision for the purchase of land in some one of the free states and for removing the ex-slaves, some three hundred and fifty in number, to their new homes to be provided for them thereon, the same to be equipped with farming utensils, etc.[[161]]
Extract from will of William H. Fitzhugh of Ravensworth, Fairfax County, dated March 21, 1829:
"After the year 1850 I leave all my negroes unconditionally free, with the privilege of having the expenses of their removal to whatever places of residence they may select, defrayed. And as an encouragement to them to emigrate to the American Colony on the coast of Africa, where I believe their happiness will be most permanently secure, I desire not only that the expense of their emigration may be paid but that the sum of fifty dollars shall be paid to each one so emigrating on his or her arrival in Africa."
The will makes provision for a fund to carry out the foregoing directions.[[162]]
| [148] | Deed Book No. 15, p. 122, in Clerk's Office, Isle of Wight County, Virginia. |
| [149] | Deed Book No. 2, p. 418, in Clerk's Office, Campbell County, Virginia. |
| [150] | Deed and Will Book No. 18, p. 213, in the Clerk's Office, Westmoreland County, Virginia. |
| [151] | Idem, p. 244. |