Nelson Kavanaugh's emancipation papers were filed in Madison County, Kentucky on 7 December 1829 by his half-brother Charles Kavanaugh, who was the executor of their father's estate. We learn through this document that Nelson was 20 years old and that he was born on 6 February 1809.
This record was filed in Court Order Book F, p. 212:
Transcript:
Charly Kavanaugh the Executor of William Kavanaugh Dec'd produced a negro boy named Nelson who was by the last will & Testament of said Dec'd ordered to be emancipated and set free, said Nelson is a tolerable bright mulato 20 years of age, on the 6th day of last February, about 5 feet 6 inches high, well made, no flesh marks, Stammering a little when a little confused.
It is ordered in the pursuance of said will that the said Nelson be hence forth Emancipated and set free without the Execrs giving bond, said Nelson being a stout able person and not likely to come chargeable upon the county.
Nelson, A Slave in the Kavanaugh Family
Nelson Kavanaugh Gets His Freedom and His Land
Nelson Kavanaugh in the Republic of Texas
Nelson Kavanaugh Loses His Papers
Boy, those old legal descriptions are certainly stark and tactless.
ReplyDeleteLovely, isn't it? In this case, it gives me a much needed description of Nelson to match against other descriptions if they can be located.
DeleteWhen there are no photos, I appreciate a description. When I read "bright" mulatto the first time I took it to be a physical description as they had various descriptors they used to fine tune "mulatto". I am finding his story interesting.
ReplyDelete