Fourth Generation Inclusive

An act to emancipate a Negro called Silvia.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That a certain Negro girl named Silvia, belonging to the estate of Abraham Bass, late of the County of Nash, be, and she is hereby emancipated and made capable of taking, holding and possessing property of every kind, and of enjoying all such priveleges as all other free persons of color.

And be it further enacted that the above named girl shall be known and called by the name of Silvia Spears: Provided always, that this act shall not affect the right which any person or persons may have to the service of and property in said girl Silvia, except such person or persons as may claim by, from or through the said Abraham Bass.

And be it further enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall be construed so to authorise the emancipation of the said girl Silvia, until Thomas Hamilton shall have entered into bond with sufficient security, in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, make payable to the Chairman of the County Court of Nash and his successors in office, to be void on condition that the said Silvia will never become a charge or burthen to any of the counties of this State.

Chapter XCVII, Public and Private Laws of the State of North Carolina, 1803-1816, North Carolina State Library.

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An act to emancipate a Negro girl named Violet.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that a certain Negro Girl named Violet, late the property of Abraham Bass, late of the County of Nash, daughter of Silvia, who was emancipated by an act of the Legislature at its last session, be, and she is hereby emancipated and made capable of taking, holding and possessing property of every kind, and enjoying all such privileges as all other free persons of colour.

And be it further enacted, that this act shall not affect the right of which any person or persons may have to the service of, and property in said Girl Violet, except such person or persons as may claim by, from, and through the said Abraham Bass, deceased.

And be it further enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall be so construed as to authorise the emancipation of the said Violet, until Thomas Hamilton shall have entered into bond with sufficient security in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, made payable to the Chairman of the County Court of Nash, and his successors in office, to be void on condition, that the said Violet never become a charge or burthen to any of the Counties in this State.

And be it further enacted, that the above named Negro Girl called Violet, shall be known and called by the name of Violet Spears.

Chapter LXL, Public and Private Laws of the State of North Carolina, 1803-1816, North Carolina State Library.