Hello, This was posted on our board-but I thought I should send it on too our list. I am researching the Smith-Osborne family-anyone else? My Grandfather is Dewey Smith s/o Isaac Newton Smith and Pheobe Alice Osborne Smith of what is now Elliott County, KY. Thank you for posting this information-though it is heart-breaking to read and to think of the families involved who were held in bondage. Have a Good Day, Ramona Message: #2 Date: 1 Dec 2001 19:04:10 -0700 From: paislee3@yahoo.com To: KY-SLAVES-L@rootsweb.com The following is a summary of part of a deed filed at Pages 13, 14 & 15 of Deed Book 54 of the Records of Mason County, KY: November 9, 1844 Milton C. Smith, of Mason County, KY, to John Reed of the Same Conveys "in trust" two parcels of land upon the waters of Lees Creek, and also the present crop of tobacco and hemp, 12 acres of corn crop, miscellaneous personal property and the following slaves: Katy, about 45 Tom, about 40 Jim, about 22 Amanda, about 14 Bill, about 10 Henry, about 4 It is the intent for John Reed to sell first the lands, then the personal property and lastly, if it shall become necessary, he shall sell the slaves or as many of them as shall be necessary to satisfy the creditors of Milton C. Smith. If possible he shall reserve to the wife of Milton C. Smith such of said slaves as she shall prefer keeping. If any of the said slaves or personal property shall be left after the payment of said debts, the same shall be forever by the said John Reed and his heirs, held in special trust for only the property use and benefit of Mary Elizabeth Smith, the wife of the said Milton C. Smith, and her children, and for no other purpose whatsoever, the said slaves being the property of the said Mary Elizabeth Smith before her intermarriage with the said Milton C. Smith. Witnesses: H. R. Reeder John McNeill