Slavery
Augusta County, VA, March 22, 1831
Antebellum Prenuptial Agreement Protects Bride's Slaves from Control of Husband or His Creditors
MDS

[SLAVERY.] Catherine P. Holloway, John G. Wright, and Jefferson Kinney, Copy of Manuscript Document Signed, Indenture, March 22, 1831, Augusta County, Virginia. 4 pp., 7.75" x 12.25". General toning; some separation on folds; small holes on one fold.

With this fascinating indenture, Catherine P. Holloway conveyed her half interest in six enslaved African Americans and her whole interest in two more to her new brother-in-law, Jefferson Kinney, to hold on her behalf and that of her future heirs. She was soon to marry John G. Wright, and she executed this indenture to protect them from the control of her future husband or to be subject to his creditors for any debts he might have or might accrue in the future.

Excerpt
"This Indenture made this 22nd day of March in the year of our Lord 1831 between Catherine P. Holloway of the first part, John G. Wright of the second part and Jefferson Kinney of the third part all of the County of Augusta and state of Virginia. Witnesseth, that whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be had and solemnized by the permission of God, by and between the said Catherine P. Holloway and the said John G Wright and whereas the said Catherine P. Holloway is possessed of a considerable personal estate, consisting of her interest being one half in the following slaves, to wit: Henry, Reuben, Ben, and Lydia, his wife with their children Arthur & George and her entire interest being the whole in the following slaves, viz. a negro man named James & his daughter Sophia. And whereas it hath been agreed by and between the said Catherine P. Holloway and the said John G. Wright that the said Catherine P. should after the said intended marriage had receive and enjoy the interest and occupation of the said personal estate, during the joint lives of them the said Catherine P. and John G. and also that the same and the interests & profits thereof should be vested in the said Jefferson Kinney, for the use and benefit of the said Catherine P. notwithstanding her coverture.
"Now this Indenture further witnesseth, that in pursuance of the before recited agreement, and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to the said Catherine P. Holloway in hand paid by the said Jefferson Kinney, at and before the unsealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, she the said Catherine P. by & with the privity & consent of the said John G. Wright testified by his being a party hereto & his sealing and delivery of these presents, hath granted, bargained, sold, assigned, transferred and set over, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, assign, transfer, and set over, unto the said Jefferson Kinney, his executors, administrators and assigns all the aforesaid personal property, together with the future increase of the female slaves therein included, to wit, her half in the before named salves Henry, Reuben, Ben & Lydia his wife & their children & all her interest & title (being the whole) in the slaves James & his daughter Sophia, together with any other property of any kind whatsoever owned by her, To have and to hold the said property hereby conveyed unto the said Jefferson Kinney his executors administrators & assigns. Upon such trusts nevertheless, and to and for such interests and purposes, and under such provisions and agreements as are herein after mentioned. That is in trust for the said Catherine P. Holloway and her assigns until the said intended marriage shall be solemnized, and from and after the solemnization of the said intended marriage, then upon trust that the said Jefferson Kinney, his executors, administrators & assigns shall and do permit the said Catherine P. during her life, to have, receive, take and enjoy the full use and occupation, and all the interest and profits of the said property hereby conveyed, and after her death, that he will deliver over the same to her lawful heirs, or to such person or persons, as she the said Catherine P. shall direct by any instrument of writing.... And it is hereby declared to be the true intent and meaning of this writing & the declared intent of the parties, so to convey the above described property, that it shall not in any manner be at the disposal of the said John G Wright, nor subject to the control or debts of him the said John G. Wright."

Catherine P. Holloway Wright (1803-1863) was born in Staunton, Virginia, to Thomas Slaughter Holloway (1765-1824) and his first wife, Elizabeth Moore (1779-1812). By 1826, she was the oldest surviving child and had two younger sisters. She married John G. Wright (1791-1861) in 1831, and they had at least three children. She died in Charleston, West Virginia.

John G. Wright (1791-1861) was born in Augusta County, Virginia. In 1831, he married Catharine P. Holloway (1803-1863). He managed the Kanawha House tavern in Charleston, (West) Virginia, in the 1850s, but it was burned by Union troops in 1862.

Jefferson Kinney (1804-1866) was born in Augusta County, Virginia. In 1829, he married Sarah R. Holloway (1808-1875), a younger sister of Catherine P. Holloway, and they had at least five children. He served as clerk of Augusta County for twenty-seven years (1831-1858). He also served the city of Staunton as alderman, recorder (1838, 1847), and mayor (1839-1842, 1846, 1849, 1850).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 12.25"
  • Medium: MDS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000