James 'Cotton' COTTEN & Hannah CUMMINGS

Port Gibson, April 14, 1827
For and in consideration of the Sum of Seven hundred an twenty-Five Dollars to me in hand paid, I have this day bargained, sold and delivered, and do by these presents bargain, sell and deliver to Thomas Cotten of the town of Port Gibson, Claiborne County and State of Mississippi a male slave named Peter, aged about twenty-Five years, which named slave Peter, I warrant to the said Thomas Cotten, his heirs and assignees, so long and so good only, as he the said T. Cotten shall defend, warrant and secoure the said negro slave, Peter, to me as administrator on the Estate of the late James Watson Jr. deceased, as bill of sale to me by the said T. Cotten as administratior on the 15th day of Jan 1825. Given under my hand and Seal, on the day and year above writen.
Witness
Hugh Wapp James Cotten (Seal)
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Montgomery (Joseph Addison and Family) Papers Mss. 1019
1806-(1866-1868)-1886 LSU Libraries Special Collections
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Power of Attorney Belmont Claiborne County April 12 1859 Know all persons by these presents, that I James Cotten, of the County of Claiborne and State of Mississippi, have this day made constituted and appointed, and by these presents to make constitute and appoint Benjamin Watkins, of the County and State aforesaid, my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, in fact, to carry out fulfill and complete, my determination, will and wish, in every respect, as fully as I myself could and would have done in removing the following negro slaves from my house to the State of Ohio. The slaves are as follows namely – Hannah Cummings, Jno. Cummings, Asa Cummings, Octavia Cummings, Camilla Cummings, Orland Cummings, Priscilla Cummings, Douglas Cummings and Warren Cummings, and then to settle them on a tract of land, purchased by me, for their use, as free persons of color, and I do further guarantee unto the said Benjamin Watkins, full power, as my Agent and Attorney, to make a warranty deed, to the foregoing named slaves, of all that piece or parcel of ground, made by Hugh Nash, J.R. Nash and their wives to me, bearing a date of 24 August eighteen hundred and fifty eight, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said Attorney shall do in promised, and I do hereby make this letter of Attorney irrevocable, by reason of my death. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my and seal this date above written. Jas. Cotton {seal}

(Note(BJC): Below letter transcribed by Nancy Norville Cordell and sent to me 10 Nov 2011)
Mrs. Amelia F. Montgomery
Blemont
Claiborne Co.

Mrs. Amelia F. Montgomery
Dear Niece,
In regard to the special gift named to you in my will, it is this. For you to take Hannah and her eight children, namely, John, Asa, Octavia, Camilla, Orlando, Priscilla, Douglas, and Warren to the state of Ohio and place them in possession of a little farm which I bought of Hugh Nash & his son about five miles from Xenia lying on the So. Charleston & Xenia Turnpike road. Mr. Nash lives nearby and in whose charge I left it by making enquiry for him-- you can soon learn its location in Green Co. and he will place you in possession, which land make a deed in the name of Hannah and each of her children, naming each one, and then buy for them 3 horses, 4 cows, a few hogs, and two horse wagon, and some farming utensils, & 12 mos provisions, some small amount may be due Mr. Nash for his attentions. All the supplies will probably cost 1000 dollars. In so doing, you will confer an obligation on me. Should I have this done before this meets your eyes, my object will be accomplished, and your trouble at an end. God grant that you may not fail, if it falls to your lot to have is done. Remember my misfortunes and forgive all my faults.

Belmont 21 April 1859Yours, Jas. Cotten

P.S. I neglected to include Jim Cummings and his wife Tamor, they are the father and mother of Hannah, and their services are indispensible for the overlooking of Hannah's small children, and should they not be carried up and placed on the same farm before this meets your eye, you will please loose no time in accomplishing the act. I do not consider them any part of my estate for partition and do place them in the same light before you, and my heirs at law. Let no delay, stay for a month this injunction, as it is a duty irrevocable.
Yours
Jas. Cotten