Benjamin Martin of Orange Co., VA migrated to KY about 1786, when his dau., Lucy m John McClure, in Lincoln Co., KY He also resided in Fayette Co. and when Jessamine Co. was formed he became a resident of that county. Jessamine Co. tax lists 1799-1820 indicate that he lived on Jessamine Creek. Benjamin died in 1821 (WB C:146, Proved court Aug 1821). He left his daughter, Betsey Martin, Negro girl named America and her increase. In Sep 1821 his heirs freed Benjamin's slave, Peggy. ..sum of one dollar... and for the consideration of the unremiting care and assiduous attention and industry of a woman slave Peggy for 30 service? of years to our father and for and in a concisusness [sic] thereof in duty we and her as well as now and other considerations operating upon us hath this day manumited and set at liberty the slave Peggy afsd... (DB G:245) Among Benjamin's heirs was Stephen Walters, who had first married Benjamin's dau., Polly Martin, widow of Reuben Cooley. Stephen married (2) 1815, Shelby Co., KY, Sarah McClure, neice of Polly and the dau. of Lucy Martin and John McClure. Stephen Walters and his step-son, Reuben Cooley, Jr., signed the document freeing Peggy, as did the children of Benjamin Martin: Abner Martin,Linza Martin,Wm. Martin, James Martin,Eleth. Martin, John McCune [sic], Larkin Martin,Caleb Martin. Benjamin Martin's land records proof that he lived neighbor to Lewis. Is anyone researching Black history in Jessamine Co. and might know if the Peggy Lewis living with Stephen Walters in 1850 was the woman the Martin heirs freed in 1821? Reuben Cooley was still in Jessamine Co. but all of Benjamin's children had left the area or were deceased by 1850. Would it not be logical that Peggy Lewis might be the woman living with Stephen Walters and the same woman freed by the Martin heirs? Jessamine Co., KY 1850 census (M432 Roll 207 p. 76B, Dist. 2, Aug. 1850 #530 Stephen Walter, 85, farmer, $5000, VA Sarah 55, KY Rich. G. Walter, 20m, Blksmith, KY Mary Hull 21f, b KY Peggy Lewis, 100, female, black, b VA Another item that might be of interest to anyone interested in Black history in Jessamine Co.: When Benjamin's daughter, Elizabeth/Betsey Martin, died in 1841, she left her slaves to her nephew Reuben Cooley. Named in her will: America,Betsey, Kitty,Dilsey,James,John,Willis,Sarah & Joseph. Her will was dated 9 Jan 1841, proved August Court 1841. (WB F:394) On the same day she wrote her will she deeded her nephew, Reubin Cooley, Negro boy named Greenup. (DB N:276) Peggy B. Chapman Lubbock, TX