1877 Deed of Willbrook

In 1877, Willbrook was sold to James M. Lesesne for $2,500. The sale included 766 acres. In a US Census, James Lesesne was listed as a free person of color prior to the Civil War. Below is a transcribed copy of the deed.

In this transcription abbreviations, spellings, and punctuation marks have been preserved. Line breaks also remain intact, as well as column structure. Indentations and spacing are difficult to replicate on the Web and may be distorted or omitted. [?] represents an unknown word.

Elkin Baum

        To                             Title To Real Estate

James M Lesesne

The State of South Carolina

Know all men by these Presents, that I, E Baum of Georgetown in the County of Georgetown in the State aforesaid in consideration of the Sum of Twenty Five Hundred dollars to me, paid by James M Lesesne of Georgetown in Georgetown County in the State aforesaid, have granted, bargained, sold and released and by These Presents, do grant bargain sell and release unto the Said James M Lesesne all that piece parcel or tract of land Situate in the County of Georgetown and State aforesaid and known as "Willbrook" plantation on Waccamaw containing Seven hundred & Sixty Six acres more or less and having Such Shape Metes bounds and dimensions as are designated on a plat of the Same made by E.G.Stoney survey on the 22d day of February 1872 Together with all and Singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtenances to the Said Premises belonging, or in anywise incident or appertaining; To Have and to Hold all and Singular the Premises before mentioned unto the Said James M. Lesesne his heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself my heirs executors, and administrators, to warrant and forever defend all and Singular the Said Premises unto the Said James M. Lesesne his heirs and assigns, against Myself & My heirs lawfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof.

Witness my hand and Seal this eighth day of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Seventy Seven and in the one hundreth year of the United States of America.

In the Presence of             (Sign) E Baum (DS)
R.L. Fraser
R. Dozier

State of South Carolina

Georgetown County

I, R.L. Fraser, notary Public do hereby Certify unto all whom it may concern that Mrs. Hannah Baum wife of the within named E. Baum did this day appear before me and upon being privately and separately examined by me did declare that she does freely, voluntarily, and without any compulsion, dread, or fear of any person or persons whomsoever [?] release and forever relinquish unto the within named James M. Lesesne his heirs and assigns all her rights and Claim of Dower of in or to all and Singular the Premises within mentioned or released.

Given under my hand and
Seal this Sixth day of             (Sign) H. Baum
November ANNO Domini
1877

Sign R.L. Fraser
(Seal) Notary Public

Examined & Certified to this 15th Nov A.D. 1877 by
W.J. [?]