script in my possession may, or may
not be of interest enough to publish in your magazine. The Ms.
came into my hands in the autumn of 1863 while I was serving in
the ranks of the 10th Mass. Inf. At that time the regiment was
stationed at Bristoe Station, on the R. R. between Alexandria and
Fredericksburg. A detail which had been sent to Prince William
Court House at Brentsville for some purpose brought to our camp
some manuscripts, among them that from which the tracing has been
made, and which I thought of interest enough to preserve.

Yours very truly,
(Signed) D. M. WILCOX.

A Marriage Contract made this 12th day of January in the Year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Fifty six Between John
Brunskill of the Parish of Hamilton and County of Prince Willm
Clerk, and Edward Humston of the above said Parish and County
Witnesseth that the sd John--Brunskill doth Contract & agree with
the said Humston, that he the said John Brunskill will have to
his wife Ann Humston, daughter to the said Edward Humston and in
Consideration of which the said Humston doth agree to & with the
said Brunskill that he the said Humston will at the day of
Marriage Lend unto the sd Ann Humston as a Maintenance during her
life The Following Negroes, To wit, Jude, Lucy & three children
John, Mary and Betty, and also one Negroe man named Tom, Jun. on
proviso yt the said Brunskill doth pay unto ye said Humston ten
pounds P Ann for four years in Consideration of the hire of the
said Negroes, And at her ye said Ann Humstons death ye sd Negroes
to fall to her Eldest son by the ye sd Brunskill but if she
shou'd not have a son by the said Brunskill they are to fall Heir
by the sd Brunskill they are to fall to her Eldest Daughter by
the said Brunskill, but if she should die without Heir by the sd
Brunskill they are at the Death of her and the said Brunskill to
fall to the Heir at Law. And for the Performance of the above
Contract. We do bind ourselves our heirs &c Either to other in
the Penal sum Of five hundred Pounds Sterlg. In witness whereof
We have set our hands & seals the day and Year above Written--

[Transcriber's Note: In the signature below, {X} signifies
where a larger X appears i