Know all men by these presents that we John M. Stafford
and Susanna Stafford his wife for and in consideration of the natural
love and affection which we bear to our two infant children Lafayette
Stafford and Columbus Stafford and for and in consideration of one
dollar to us in hand paid by George Branning for and on behalf
of said infant children at and before the ensealing and delivery of
these presents have bargained, and sold and do by these presents
bargain and sell to the said Lafayette Stafford and Columbus
Stafford, the following Negro Slaves to wit Milley a girl aged
about Eighteen years, Wiley a boy about four years of age Fanny
a girl about eight years of age and Jack about seven years old
together with the future issue and increase of the females if any
there should be. Reserving however to the said Susanna Stafford
the right of using and having and enjoying the use and profits
of the two Negroes Milley and Wiley for and during the term
of her natural life and also in like manner and for the like
term the increase of the female slave if any there should be and
reserving also to the said John M. Stafford a life estate of the
use and profits of the two slaves Fanny & Jack and the increase of
the female if any it being expressly understood that at the time
of the death of Susanna the estate herein or hereby Granted to
the said children Lafayette and Columbus shall take effect and
operation so far as respects the Negroes, for which a life estate is re
served to her and in like manner at the time of death of the
said John M. Stafford the estate herein and hereby Granted to
the said children shall take effect and operation, so far as respects the
Negroes for which a life estate is reserved to him the said John
Provided however if the said Susanna Stafford shall be delivered of
any other other child or children by the said by the said John M. her husband
on or before the twentieth day of February which will be in the
year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty four, that this con
veyance shall operate equally to the use and right of such posthumous
child or children, as if such child or children were now born and
herein named so as to vest the right of such Negroes herein and |