I have a deed of emancipation filed in Russell County, VA on 24 May 1803 by Samuel Robinson, Esq. He emancipates three slave children: a boy named Sawney, age 8, Sarah, age 8 and Violet, age 4. The girls are to be emancipation when they turn 25 years old and Sawney when he turns 28. Any children born to Sarah and Violet before their 25th birthdays are to serve Samuel as his slaves until they reach 25 years for girls and 28 years for boys.

Does anyone know why Samuel chose those ages? He was an attorney, so I assume there was some legal reason.