Rockingham Co. DB 27:278 1855

This deed made this 14^th day of December in the year of Christ 1855 between Samuel Cootes and Paulina his wife of the one part and John Q. Winfield of the other part. Whereas John Q. Winfield claims that the said Samuel Cootes and Paulina his wife as the Executors of the estate of Leonard Neff decd, the prior husband of Mrs. Cootes are indebted to him by virtue of his intermarriage with Sallie the daughter of the said Leonard Neff in a considerable sum of money. Now this Indenture made between the said Cootes and Paulina his wife of the one part and the said Winfield of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Cootes and wife for and in consideration of a full and perfect release made by the said Winfield of any claim which he may have against the said Cootes and wife as the Executors of the Estate of the said Leonard Neff decd and for and in consideration of the said John Q. Winfield executing his bond with satisfactory security to the effect that he will in the event of the said Mrs. Cootes surviving the said Cootes make certain annual payments to the said Mrs. Cootes from the date of the death of the said Cootes until her, the said Mrs. Cootes, death and will also pay to the said Mrs. Cootes in the event of the death of Mr. Cootes, She surviving, an amount equal to the interest upon her dower interest in the said Cootes estate not however to pay more than the interest upon the dower interest in a sum equal to ten thousand dollars if the said Cootes estate real should at his death exceed that amount, provided the said Mrs. Cootes relinquishes her dower interest in said property and if she refuses to do so to pay the amount of interest upon the Dower interest not exceeding three thousand three hundred & thirty three dollars to the heirs of the said Cootes or persons designated by him commencing at Cootes death and ending at Mrs. Cootes death for and in consideration of these things the said Cootes & wife do grant unto the said John Q. Winfield all their rights title and interest in one Negro man named Sam in one Negro boy named John and in one Negro boy named Bill the possession of the man Sam and boy John to be delivered to the said Winfield on the 1^st day of January 1856 and the boy Bill to be delivered into the possession of the said Winfield on the 13^th day of December 1856, also all their rights title and interest in one negro woman named Cola and one negro woman named Mini—the said grantee—Winfield to suffer the said negro woman to be at the especial and separate use behoof and control of the said Mrs. Cootes during her life (the life of Mrs. Coots) and the said Cootes and wife do further grant unto the said Winfield all….…..and any right title and interest which they now are entitled to or possibly or may hereafter be entitled to in and to any species of property, whether real personal or mixed belonging to or comprising the estate of the late Thomas Swift deceased the father of the said Mrs. Cootes and to any property belonging to or comprising the estate of the Mother of Mrs. Cootes Mrs. Ann Swift, whether their interest in title to such property be immediate or remote, verted or contingent in possession remainder or reversion or in whatever condition of estate or title it may be and whatever may be the character in which they are or may become entitled to said property whether as heirs devisees legatees distributees or in any other manner and the said Cootes and wife will warrant and defend to the said John Q. Winfield his heirs assigns or personal representatives all the foregoing property forever against their own or the claims of any person whatsoever and agree to make any further assurances or title thereto as the said Winfield may demand or desire….And the said Cootes furthermore for himself and his heirs and executor and administrators doth further promise to have paid unto the said John Q. Winfield the sum of thirteen hundred dollars in one year after the death of himself the said Cootes on the death of Mrs. Cootes, whichever shall first accrue to be at liberty to pay the said amount either in cash or in good satisfactory bonds upon other persons for this amount the said Cootes upon other persons for this amount the said Cootes has executed his bond with security. In witness of all which the said Cootes and wife have here unto set their hands and seals this day and year first above written.

Saml Cootes

Paulina C. Cootes

County of Rockingham to wit

I Saml R. Sterling a Notary Public for the County aforesaid in the state of Virginia so certify that Saml Cootes whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed wearing date on the 14^th day of December 1855, has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid. Given under my hand this 14 day of December 1855. Saml R. Sterling N.P.

State of Virginia

County of Rockingham, to wit

I Saml R. Sterling a Notary Public for the county of Rockingham in the State of Virginia do certify that Paulina C. Cootes, the wife of Saml Cootes, whose names are signed to this writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 14 day of December 1855 personally appeared before me, in the county aforesaid, and being examined by me privately and apart from her husband and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her. She the said Paulina C. Cootes acknowledged the said writing to be her act and declared that she had willingly executed the same and does not wish to retract it. Given under my hand this 14 day of December 1855. Saml R. Sterling N.P.

In the Clerks office of the County Court of Rockingham December 18, 1835 this deed from Saml Cootes & wife to John Q. Winfield was this day presented to me clerk of said court & bearing certified is admitted to record

Atteste L.W. Gambill R.C.