"That it is owing to no malignity of feelings towards my relations that I have thus disposed of my negro slaves, but because I think they own enough of them without mine and I think that they are a general evil and withal I deprecate the principle."[[167]]
Extract from the will of John Warwick, of Amherst County, admitted to probate March 20th, 1848:
"I, John Warwick, of the County of Amherst, ... do make, publish and declare this my last true will and testament....
"First: The future condition of my slaves has long been a subject of anxious concern with me, and it is my deliberate intention, wish, and desire that the whole of them be manumitted and set free as soon after my demise as the growing crops shall be safe and the annual hires terminated, not later than the end of the year of my death, to be removed, or so many of them as I do not manumit and send to a free state during my life, with the exception hereinafter named, and settled in one or more of the free states of this Union under the care and direction of my executors, hereinafter appointed. Indiana is my choice.
"Second: To carry out the above bequest ... next to the payment of any debts I may owe, my funeral expenses, and the charges of administration of my estate, I hereby declare that it is my wish and intention that my slaves shall on being emancipated have the whole of my estate now in being, or hereafter to be acquired, ... for the purpose of creating a suitable fund in the hands of my executors for their comfortable clothing, outfit, travelling expenses and settlement in their new homes".[[168]]
Extract from the will of Frances Eppes of Henrico County, admitted to probate February 7th, 1848.
"It is my will and desire that all my slaves shall be emancipated and set free—and I do hereby emancipate and set free the following slaves, and the increase of the females among them, namely—" (Here follow the names of the slaves, twenty-seven in number)—"And with a view to accomplish this my intention in an effectual manner it is my will and desire that at my decease all my slaves of every description be committed to the special care and trust of my friends Joseph J. Pleasants of the County of Hanover, in this state, and Joseph Jones of the State of Ohio....
"It is my will and desire that after all my just debts are paid, all the property of every description of which I may die seized, or the proceeds arising therefrom as may seem best to my executors hereinafter named, be divided among the said slaves so emancipated in such manner as the executors may deem fair and proper."[[169]]
Extract from the will of Sampson Sanders, of Cabell County, admitted to probate July 9th, 1849:
"It is my will and desire that all my slaves of every age and sex be free at the time of my death from all involuntary servitude....