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.”

To all whom it may concern, be it known that I, Hopkins Lightner, Executor of the last will and testament of Stephen Pleasanton deceased, by virtue of the provisions of said will, for divers good causes and considerations, me thereunto moving, have released from slavery, liberated, manumitted and set free, and by these presents do hereby release from slavery, liberate, manumit, and set free the negro man named John commonly called John Dutch being of the age of thirty seven years and able to work and gain a sufficient livelihood and maintenance and him the said Negro man John Dutch under and by virtue of the will aforesaid. I do declare to be henceforth free, manumitted and discharged from all manner of service or servitude to me, my executors or administrators forever.

In witness whereof
I have hereunto set
my hand & seal
this sixth day of
October 1857
Hopkins Lightner {seal}

Signed, sealed & delivered
in presence of
Wm. B. Randolph
H. B. Groggan

District of Columbia
County of Washington

On this sixth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and fifty seven before the undersigned, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appears Hopkins Lightner to me well known and acknowledges the signing, sealing and delivery of the within instrument of writing to be his act and deed.

Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of October A. D. 1857.

N. Allan J. P. {seal}