"Manumit" is a noun. "Manumitters" is the plural of that noun that means folks who manumit (the verb form); that is, grant freedom from the obligations and duties of service to others who have legal or physical control and power over the manumitted person. The courts have so defined the words. The terms are usually used to describe the actions of "owners" who have freed their slaves from duties and bondage. The too, I have seen the term employed when speaking of manumission by act of government. I occasionally also have seen the word used in describing the release from any obligations that an indentured servant might have to his/her Master/Mistress. Paul -----Original Message----- From: varoots-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:varoots-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of FRMRNYR@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 12:46 PM To: varoots-l@rootsweb.com Subject: [VAROOTS] daryl or margaret a question: what does manumitters mean? kristina _www.nyvagenealogy.homestead.com_ (http://www.nyvagenealogy.homestead.com) _Norfolk Co, VA, Homepage_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~vanorfol/) _Princess Anne County, VAGenWeb_ (http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaprinc2/) ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to VAROOTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/782 - Release Date: 5/1/2007 2:10 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/782 - Release Date: 5/1/2007 2:10 AM