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OLD 1873 ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY VA DOCUMENT BASTARD CHILD
Extremely unusual and interesting old 1-page Rockbridge County legal document written in dark ink on white lined paper. It concerns legal proceedings related to the support of an African American woman’s bastard child in 1873.
--The document measures about 8 x 12½”, and is partly transcribed as follows:
“Rockbridge County to wit:
The examination on oath of Mary McDowell an unmarried COLORED woman taken before me, J. T. Figgat a Justice of the said County on this 12th day of December 1873, the said Mary McDowell being duly sworn by me, makes oath and says that she is an unmarried woman who has resided in the said County for one year next preceding this date. That on the 9th day of December 1873 SHE WAS DELIVERED OF A FEMALE BASTARD CHILD and that WILLIAM BOWYER, COLORED, OF THE SAID COUNTY IS THE FATHER OF THE SAID CHILD. ”
The second paragraph of this document repeats most of the above information and orders William N. Bumpus, Sergeant & High Constable of Rockbridge County, to arrest William Bowyer to “answer the said complaint and to be further dealt with according to law…” .
Signed by J. T. Figgat Justice of the Peace. Lots of docketing on the reverse side, including “MARY MC DOWELL VS. WM BOWYER IN BASTERDY.” Also, a notation that “Judgment acknowledged for $140 for 7 years in 7 equal payments of $20 each.”
Missing lower right corner (see scan), few edge chips, otherwise good condition.
An interesting old document that vividly portrays some of the hardships of life in the Valley of Virginia after the Civil War.
Price= $95.00
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