John H. and Nancy Baker to Nathaniel Hardy, 1845

On 24 Jan 1845, the Bakers transfered their titles to a group of slaves to Nathaniel Hardy in lieu of their financial debt to him. Baker also seemed to transfer to Hardy his right to rent from D. B. Whitman and company from the Salt River furnace, but then indicated that he had none, and that Whitman was not liable to him for anything to do with the furnace.

---

This indenture made this 24th January 1845 between John H. Baker and Nancy D. his wife of the one part and Nathaniel Hardy of the other part. Witnesseth that said Baker and wife for and in consideration of the debts which the said Baker owes the said Hardy and other valuable considerations, the receipt whereof the said Hardy doth hereby acknowledge, the said Baker and wife de hereby bargain and sell and convey to the said Hardy the following negro slaves for life, to wit: Ellick, Peter, John, Lewis, Ned, George and Cillen, being a part of the negros mentioned in the mortgage from said Baker to said Hardy, and said Baker also transfers to said Hardy all claims to an account for the use and here of all and every one of the mortgaged negroes and all others which said Hardy may have or had in his possession to which said Baker may have any claim in any way, and said Baker hereby warrants said negroes and each of them and their increase to be slaves for life, and that he will and his heirs, executors and administrators shall warrant and forever defend said slave and their future incease to the said Hardy and his heirs and assigns forever against all and every person or persons whatever lawfully claiming or to claim the same, and the said Baker doth hereby transfer to said Hardy all claims against Whitman and Brewer and D. B. Whitman and company for the rent, use and occupation of the Salt River furnace, and doth hereby release said Hardy from all claims whatever for account, use and occupation of said Salt River Furnace and lands on which the same is situated in Bullitt County, Kentucky. It is expressly further understood that said Baker has no claim on said Whitman and Brewer or D. B. Whitman and Company for the rent, use and occupation of said Salt River Furnace and therefore transfers none to said Hardy, but the said Baker doth release said Brewer and Whitman and D. B. Whitman and Company from any liability on account of the rent, use and occupation of said Salt River Furnace. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first written. (signed) John H. Baker, N. D. Baker, Nathaniel Hardy