Properties Named in the Deed of Gift
The enslaved people freed by Carter’s Deed of Gift lived and worked across 18 properties spanning five Virginia counties. Understanding these locations helps descendants trace where their ancestors lived and where records may be found.
Westmoreland County:
- Nomini Hall (the primary estate and Carter’s residence)
- Aries
- Taurus
- Gemini
- Forest Quarter
- Coles Point
- Old Ordinary
Richmond County:
- Billingsgate
- Cancer
- Dickersons Mill
Prince William County:
- Cancer
Frederick County (Shenandoah Valley):
- Aquarius
- Capricorn
- Libra
- Sagittarius
- Scorpio
- Virgo
Loudoun County:
- Leo
Why Location Matters for Descendants
Knowing which plantation your ancestor was assigned to tells you:
- Which county court holds their freedom certificate
- Where to look for post-emancipation land records
- Which church records may document marriages, births, and deaths
- Where the community settled after freedom