Records of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Relating to Slaves, 1851-1863.

National Archives Microfilm Publication M433, Roll 3
“Manumission Papers, 1857-1863.”

John B. Kerbey’s Will filed 6th Aug. 1857 (excerpt)

Certificate of freedom issued to Ann Williams at the (illegible) request of H. Naylor

“It is my will, that all my slaves that are over the age of thirty five years shall be free immediately after my death, and all my slaves that are under the age of thirty-five years shall serve: the males till they arrive to the age of thirty years, after which respective ages, they and each of them shall be free – and my executor is accordingly authorized and required, by proper deed in writing, to execute this clause of my will; should any of my female slaves have children during their period of service, as aforesaid it is my will that the male children serve until they are thirty five and the females until they are thirty years of age and then be free. And in all cases of future female descendants, the males shall never serve beyond thirty five, nor the females beyond thirty years of age — and then in all cares they shall forever after be free.”

District of Columbia
Washington County, to wit:

I certify that the foregoing is a true copy “Extract” from the original (will of John B. Kerbey, deceased, executed the 15th day of November 1827 and filed, approved & recorded the 10th day of May, 1828) filed and recorded in the office of the Register of Wills for Washington County, aforesaid.

Witness my hand and seal this 7th day of August, A. D. 1857
Ed Roach, Reg. of Wills