On February 17, 1817, Major Vincent Shelton, grandfather of William C. Shelton, mortgaged his 962-acre plantation and his slaves to obtain $3,000. The land was along the lines of William Lewis, Mrs. Beverly Shelton, Henry Motley, and Chrispin Shelton.

He borrowed the money from Roderick Taliaferro and James T. Wright of Campbell County and the Town of Lynchburg. They represented the President and Directors of the Farmers Bank of Virginia. The Deed of Trust was released on November 16, 1818 in a Release Deed which stated that the amount of $3,255 had been paid. In addition to the 962 acres, "where Vincent Shelton now lives," Vincent had offered his slaves which were named in court documents as security:

1.  ESSEX: about 48 years of age (born 1769) ("Essex" is listed in the estate of Crispin Shelton, Sr. in 1794.)
2.  WEST: 35 years of age (born 1782) (also from the Crispin Shelton, Sr. Estate.)
3.  RUSSEL: 5 years of age (born 1812), Inherited by Capt. Vincent Shelton, Jr.;mentioned in diary many times by William C. Shelton.
4.  ABRAHAM: a young child
5.  SUSAN: an old woman
6.  BETTY: about 45 (born 1772) (from Crispin estate 1794)
7.  PRISSY: 36 years of age (born 1781)
8.  RODY: about the same (born 1781) (from Crispin estate 1794)
9.  PEGGY: aged 18 years old (born 1799)
10.   MILLY: about 17 years old (born 1800)
11.   ALLY (Abby?): 11 years old (born 1806)
12.   EDY: about 9 (born 1806)

(20-280 Deed of Trust)

NOTE: This page is included as an aid to those doing genealogical research on their ancestors who were in slavery, and to others who have an interest in the history of the era.

For insight into how the slaves themselves felt, visit Excerpts from Slave Narratives.

William C. Shelton

Pittsylvania County

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