RACHEL FINLEY'S FREE PAPERS

Lauderdale County, Alabama
Deed Book 9, p. 102 – 103.

Rachel Franklin Finley’s Free Papers

State of Tennessee} To wit
Franklin County      } Before me Lawrence P. Sims an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county this day personally appeared Sarah Foster and made oath in due form of law that she is well acquainted with the bearer Rachael and was well acquainted with her in with [sic – Wythe] County State of Virginia that the Girl is a black woman about fifty years old she is present and has a large wen on her neck which was quite small when She knew her – but has grown considerable Since – and that she knew her mother Rachel Finley (after whom this said Rachel was named ) and that she was a Yellow woman said to be part Indian She had the appearance of an Indian Woman – and she knows and did know her mother was a free woman that she recovered her freedom in a suit against one John Draper this Woman Rachael has been living in Florence Alabama for the last two or three years previous thereto she lived in Huntsville Alabama – that the family of negroes of which Rachael is one emigrated from Virginia State to Alabama the suit for their for their freedom was instituted or commenced before she left Virginia – and decided after She came to Tennessee as She is Creditably informed and believes – Sworn & subscribed before me the 29th day of June A D 1838
                                                                                                  Sarah B. Foster
L. P. Sims {SEAL}
Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee } I William W. Brazelton
Franklin County       } Clerk of the County Court of Said county do hereby certify that Leonard P. Sims whose name appears within is and was at the time of signing it an acting Justice of the Pease in and for Said County – duly commissioned and legally qualified as such and is entitled to faith and credit in all of his Official Acts
{{SEAL}} In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my name and affixed my seal of Office in Winchester the 29th June A. D. 1838                          
                                                                                             W. W. Brazelton Clk
State of Tennessee} I Willis Estill Jr Chairman and
Franklin county       } presiding magistrate of the County Court of Said county do hereby certify that William W. Brazelton is a clerk of the county court of said county and that his attestation is in due form of Law and Sealed with the County Seal ‑‑‑‑ Given from under my hand and Seal this 29th day of June 1838
                                                                                   W. Estill {SEAL}
                                                                                   Chairman Franklin County Court
                                                                                    Recorded 10th Day of July 1839

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