Martha Watts

Name

Martha Watts

Race

White

Record(s) Seen In

Inventory, Appraisements, and Sales Book 2

Common Law Orders - D - July 1848 - May 1856 - pgs. 1-400

Page and Line Number

IAS 2: PP. 331-335
CLD: PP. 85

Date(s) Seen in Records

IAS 2: Date Unclear

People Enslaved

Hector

Isabel

Additional Information

Martha Watts was the sister of Edward Watts.

Edward Watts

A complaint was filed against Edward Watts by William L. Morris on behalf of Martha Watts. It is recorded that Martha was using Edward's other "use of the land" that they inherited after the death of their father, William. John Watts and a man named Thomas were named executors of William Watts' estate. After William's death, Thomas and John had the Court of Botetourt County divide the enslaved people into two parts by the commissioner. The second division of the enslaved people were given to Martha as her "absolute property." She was found to not be of sound mind, so she could not properly manage her affairs. The total enslaved people owned by Martha was 20. She was sent to live with her mother around 1853. After this, the enslaved people that were on her land stayed longer than expected, but the record does not specify what time frame they stayed on this land. During that period, Edward controlled the land and increased the number of enslaved people from 23 to 43, taking the value of enslaved people from $3,500.00 to $23,000.00.

William L. Morris

William Watts

The first division of enslaved people was divided between a Mrs. Saunders and a Mrs. Morris.

Alice Watts Morris

Mrs. Saunders

The second division of enslaved people was given to Martha Watts as her absolute property.

In Common Law Book D was an application of William Watts and Edward Saunders, who were the committee serving for Martha Watts, to have two enslaved people, Hector and Isabel, be exempted from taxation due to age and infirmity.

Edward Saunders