I found my ggggrandfather's original owner and emanicipator. It was pretty easy because of an unusual surname - Lawler but I am excited nonetheless. I found in an abstract of the 1798 Culpeper county will of John Lawlor that his slave Little Sam and another to be set free upon his 14 year old son reaching the age of 21. I had originally found Samuel Lawler in a cohabitation marriage record of his daughters. He was free as far back as 1810 consistently in tax and census records up until 1837.

Now I know that he was freed sometime between 1805 and 1810. I am going to look next in county minutes and deed books.

Interestingly enough, John Lawlor included in his will a bequest to a "mollater" woman Clary of thirty pounds to be used in the care of Samuel. I do not know what relationship Clary had with John Lawlor or my ggggrandfather - I am stumped. John Lawlor also made arrangements for the support of three other "oald" negro slaves of his - one name Sam - I was thinking he might be Samuel's father making him my 4th great grandfather, or maybe even his grandfather!