Document of Slave Sale from Matthew Bell to Cyrus Arledge

Limestone County, AL; deed dated 23 November 1839 (see image below)

Thanks to Colleen Patterson and Robert Thornton Arledge


Know all men by these presents that I -- Matthew Bell of the County of Limestone and State of Alabama have this day for and in consideration of the sum of One Thousand and Fourteen Dollars and ninety seven cents to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged barganed & sold and by these presents doth bargan and sell unto Cyrus Arledge of the County & State a foresaid a certain Female Negro slave named Grace supposed to be Forty years of age and her Two Female Children vis. Silva aged six years and Roda aged Five years to have and to hold the above described Negro slaves together with their future increase to the only proper use and behoof of him the sd. Arledge his heirs Administrators or assigns forever and I the sd. Matthew Bell for my self heirs Administrators or assigns the sd. Negroe slaves to the sd. Arledge his heirs administrators or assigns forever and also against the claim or claims of any and every person or persons claiming the same will forever warrant & defend by these presents in witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 23rd November 1839. Matthew Bell (seal) Test: Joseph Arledge J.F. Arledge

Note from Bob Arledge (18 Feb 1999): This deed or a copy of it was probably in the cellar of Sallie Arledge Hollis and later obtained by her son Loy Hollis, who probably passed it on to his daughter and/or then on to his granddaughter, Jakie Patterson Spinks. Mildred Colleen Patterson, granddaughter of Sallie Arledge and W.G. Hollis, obtained it or a copy of it and passed a copy on to me. Sallie Arledge was the daughter of Andrew James Arledge and Mary Elizabeth Meridith, and the great granddaughter of William Arledge and Mary W. Slaughter. William Arledge was the son of Cyrus Arledge. I believe Matthew Bell who sold the slaves to Cyrus was his son-in-law, married to Cyrus' daughter, Ann. I believe the witnesses to be Joseph Cyrus Arledge and John Fisher Arledge, sons of Cyrus.

Note from Pam Wilson: the family of Cyrus Arledge was originally from Fairfield County, SC, then had lived in Chester County SC prior to arriving in Limestone County, AL.


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