1880-044: Fanny R. Johnston, etc. vs. Exr. of Nathaniel Burwell, etc.:

Scope and content:

Burwell was accused of selling or hiring out Black individuals enslaved by Lucy, his wife. Lucy inherited the enslaved persons from Charles Carter, her father, of Shirley Plantation, but Burwell sold the enslaved person for his own benefit with the goal to buy land in Roanoke County. According to the marriage contract, any profits from sale of the Black individuals enslaved by Lucy were to remain with her dower. There is a reference to a pamphlet written by Nimrod Hughes who claimed the world was going to end in 1812. It created quite a stir in southwest Virginia. Hughes claimed the prophecy had not entirely failed. On June 4, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain and Napoleon invaded Russia. The prophecy did some good. Burwell's brother testified that he became a Christian because of the prophecy. The prophecy was used to date when Nathaniel Burwell travelled to Richmond from Roanoke to get money to purchase the Dropmore estate. Fanny Johnston was the daughter of Frederick and Nancy C. Johnston who was daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy Burwell.

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