William Dickson

<442> William Dickson "Gloster Will," Gloster Billy) Born 1752 (one source suggests 1749). Parents unknown; husband of Prue Dixon; father of Sarah Timothy Tosspot <291>. Residing at Nornony Hall in 1775, 1784 (tithable), 1785 (tithable), 1790, and 1791. Described as mariner or sailor on Robert Carter's vessels between 1775 and 1790; an expert in burning (cleaning) boat bottoms. Serving on the schooner Harriot in 1774. Skipper of the sloop Atwell in 1775. Serving on the sloop Mayflower and the Machodoc flat in 1785. Assisted in transporting African-Americans to the Shenandoah tract in 1787. In charge of Machodoc flat in 1787 and 1789; ferried passenger from Northern Neck to Eastern Shore of Virginia. Assisting in agricultural labor at Coles Point in July 1788. Serving on board schooner BetsY during 1790 voyage to Baltimore. Named in 1791 deed of emancipation. Scheduled for emancipation in 1792. Emancipated by deed dated January 2, 1792; deed proved in Westmoreland County Court, February 28, 1792. Authorized to bargain for his own time beginning February 1, 1792. Agreed to rent tenement at Nomony Hall (including his old house) on February 13, 1792. Undertook to repair the Betsy for wages beginning March 7, 1792. Received his certificate of emancipation on July 28, 1792. Paid for services as sailor on the Betsy during 1792. Sailed as passenger to Baltimore on board the Betsy on May 9, 1793; returned to Westmoreland County by the Alexandria packet on September 13, 1793. Sources: Deed of Emancipation, August 1, 1791, pt. 1, pp. 11-12, 15, and Pt. 2, pp. 2, 19; "2d Book of Miscellanies," PP. 101-4; Nomony Hall Daybook tf w," 1773-1776, P. 1; Nomony Hall Daybook, 1774-1775, pp. 24, 28-29; Whites & Blacks, living at Nomony Hall in Westmoreland County," October 4, 1775, C.F,P., 1651-1861, Sect. 36 (Mss] C2468 a2100), VHS; Nomony Hall Daybook, No. 3, 1775, Pp. 43, 58; Letterbook, 1782-1784, P. 10; Travis Jones's Inventory of Taxable Specific Articles at Nomony Hell, March 1, 1784, C.F.P., 1651-1861, Sect. 36 (Mss] C2468 82102), VHS; Westmoreland County Personal Property Tax List, 785, VSA; Nomony Hall Journal, 1784-1785, p. 62; Robert Carter III to Mr. Randell, June 22, 1785, C.F.P., 1651-1861, Sect. 22 (Mssl C2468 a753), VHS; Letterbook, 1784-1785, pp. 174, 178; Grain account between Robert Carter III and Newy year Branson,
December 19, 1785, C.F.P., 1651-1861, Sect. 23 (Mss] C2468
a1478-1572), VHS; Letterbook, 1785-1787, Pp. 173, 248, 251-
53, 313, 341; Vincent T. Branson to Robert Carter III, July
12, 1787, C.F.P., 1651-1861, Sect. 22 (Mssl C2468 a218-222),
VHS; Nomony Hall Daybook, 1788-1789, pp. 16, 29; Letterbook,
1787-1789, p. 301; Letterbook, 1789-1792, Pp. 26, 192, 211;
Travis Jones's account with Robert Carter III, stated
October 15, 1790, C.F.P., 1651-1861, Sect. 23 (Mssl C2468
31776-1829), VHS; Nomony Hall Daybook, 1790-1792, Pp. 111,
118-19, 122, 124-25, 149; Robert Carter's proposal to Negro
Prince et al., ratified February 13, 1792, C.F.P., 1651-
1861, Sect. 41 (Mss] C2468 a2137), VHS; Westmoreland County
Deeds and Wills, No. 18, 1787-1794, VSA microfilm, p. 213;
William Dickson's receipt to Robert Carter III, December 19,
1792, C.F.P., 1651-1861, Sect. 23 (Mss] C2468 a1855-1891),
VHS; Waste Book "r W," PP. 1, 82-83.