Marriage of Calvin & Sarah Ledwell

Family before I share with you the actual marriage contract of Calvin Ledwell and Sarah Gardner I want you to pay close attention to the time of their marriage. First Calvin Ledwell was accepted as a black man or malotta which is understood to be a child of mixed heritage.

By understanding the time this marriage took place, as a black person you were not allowed to participate in such a practice. This marriage took place in 1857 and is registered in the deed books of Randolph County. Their wedding took place before slavery was abolished. Inter-racial marriage was not made legal in the United States until the mid-'60s. Does this make you wonder how Calvin pulled this off?

Marriage Contract: This marriage contract came to hand for Registration September 29th, 1857 and was registered.

It is found by Ronald Ledwell while researching our history in Michigan.

Deed Book 30, Page 526

Randolph County, North Carolina

Articles of agreement for a marriage contract made and entered into between Calvin Ledwell of the County of Randolph and State of N.C. of the one part and Sarah Gardner of the county of Randolph and the State of North Carolina of the other part; are as follows (VIZ) I, the said Calvin Ledwell do hereby forever disclaim all right title interest or claim to any and all articles of property either real or personal which does not now belong to the said Sarah Gardner or of which she may hereafter procure, and I the said Sarah Gardner do hereby disclaim all right title interest or claim to any and all property now belonging to the said Calvin Ledwell either real or personal in consequence of Marriage which is shortly to take place between us. In witness whereof, we do hereunto set our hands and seals before the rights of Matrimony is Solemnised between us. May 17th, 1857.

Wit: James Page

Signed: Calvin Ledwell Sarah Gardner

(State of North Carolina-Randolph County)

I certify that this day personally appeared before me James Page the subscribing witness to this instrument of writing and being by me duly sworn proved the due Execution of the same by the parties whose names are subscribed thereto, therefore let this paper writing be registered together with this certificate. Witness Mathias E. Manly one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of Law & Equity in & for said state, this (blotted) September 1857.

Signed: M.E. Manly, Judge