Silas sells slaves to settle people's estates

 

In 1836 the Fairfax County Circuit Court authorizes Silas Burke to sell people whom a man named James Keene was enslaving when he died. The text is transcribed below.
 

January 18, 1836: “William Beck &c Against Silas Burke, administrator of James Keene, defendant in chancery:

“This cause coming on this day to be heard upon bill answered and filed and by consent of parties upon consideration whereof this court doth order adjudge and decree that Silas Burke be, and he is hereby, appointed a Commissioner to sell the slaves in said bill mentioned for cash and that he sell the land in said bill mentioned upon a credit of one, two and three years with interest from date and that he take such security as he may think advisable, and a deed of trust on the property sold, for the interests of the parties and that from the proceeds he make distribution among the legatees of James Keene, deceased, and make report to this court in order to a final decree.”

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