Esther Serena Haile

James Chesnut and Thomas Whitaker, Executors of Last Will and Testament of John Chesnut (1839), to Esther Serena Haile:

Know all men by these presents, that we, James Chesnut, and Thomas Whitaker, executors as aforesaid of the said last Will and Testament pursuing the directions of our Testator, and by virtue of power and authority in us vested by the said Will and Testament, in consideration of ten dollars to us in hand paid, at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, by L. L. Whitaker of the District and State aforesaid, and also in consideration of the premises, have bargained, Sold and delivered and by these presents, do bargain, Sell and deliver unto the said L. L. Whitaker, the following named Slaves to wit: Edmund, July, Leaty, Elsey, March, Phillis, Mary, Martha, Margaret, Patey, Nelson, Jack, Hannah, Beu, Mary Johnson, Billy, Nancy, William, Louisa, Jesse, Anthony, Richard, Aleck, Malinda, John, Sam, Lucy, Robert, Elizabeth, Margaret, Hampton, Washington, Hannah & Joe, also the Shares of the Capital Stock of the Bank of Camden South Carolina, four Shares of the South Carolina Rail Road Company, and South Western Road Bank Company, and five Shares of the Capital Stock of the Camden Bridge Company, and one fourth of a Share of the last mentioned Stock, To Have and to hold the said Slaves with future issue and increase of them, and the said Shares of the said Bank, and Rail Road and Bank, and Bridge Company, to the said L. L. Whitaker in the special trust and confidence, nevertheless, that he the said L. L. Whitaker will permit the said Slaves with their increase to go into the possession of the said Esther Serena Haile, so that she may enjoy the possession, use, and profits of them, and not in any way to be liable to the disposal or for the debts of her present or any future Husband, and in trust that he will hold the said Shares of Stock of the said Bank, of the said Rail Road and Bank, and of the Said Bridge Company, for the benefit of the said Esther Serena Haile, and pay to her without any further accountability on his part the dividend and profits arising from the same as after as they may be declared, and in the further trust and confidence that he, the said L. L. Whitaker in case the said Esther Serena Haile shall die without Issue will hold the said Slaves with the future issue and increase of them, and also the said Shares of the capital Stock of the Bank of Camden South Carolina, of the South Carolina Rail Road Company, and South Western Rail Road Bank, and of the Camden Bridge Company, to be transferred to such person or persons as may be entitled thereto under the said last will and Testament of John Chesnut deceased or to such person or persons as may be legally entitled […]

February 9, 1852

State of South Carolina, Kershaw District

From Alachua County Ancient Records

Deed Record B pages 348-349

Esther Sereno Chesnut Haile. 1870 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/3659>