William Kennedy and Mary Lindsay Contract
Alexandria Deed Book A, page 344, August 13, 1798
This contract between MARY LINDSAY of Charlotte County, Virginia, and WILLIAM KENNEDY was entered into on September 7, 1778 and recorded in Charlotte County on April 5, 1779; William Cook Wakeland and William Jameson were the parties of the third part to the contract.
Mary, "for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings, hath given to William Cook Wakland and William Jenison all the estate, real and personal, and also, all right of which she is at this time, possessed or entitled in her own right to and for the sole use of her the said Mary, one Mullato Slave named Dennis; one Negro Girl, Jane; one horse; one mare; four head of cattle; four feather beds and furniture and all and every article of household furniture."
William Kennedy was "not to take into possession at any time the above for his." Mary in turn promised "not to take claim of Dower from William Kennedy."
When William, who at the time was living in Mercer County, Ky., wrote his will on August 25, 1795, he mentioned the marriage contract and then said, "Yet in consideration of the great regard and affection I bear to her (Mary), it is my will that the tract of land where on I now live containing three hundred and eighty four acres, shall immediately be sold after my decease for the Highest Price it will bring, and that four hundred pounds of money arising from the sale shall remain in the hands of the purchaser, he giving security on the land for the punchual payment of the interest thereof each year to my said wife during her natural life, and to pay the said four hundred pounds to my heirs and executors immediately after the Death of her, my said Wife."