Mr. Smith. The first--that for Laura is as follows:

_State of North Carolina, Wake County._

Know all men by these presents, that for and in consideration of the sum
of two hundred and fifty dollars, to me in hand paid, I have this day
bargained and sold; and do hereby bargain, sell and deliver unto
Lunsford Lane, a free man of color, a certain negro girl by the name of
Laura, aged about seven years, and hereby warrant and defend the right
and title of the said girl to the said Lunsford and his heirs forever,
free from the claims of all persons whatsoever.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Raleigh,
this 17th May, 1841.

B.B. SMITH, [seal.]

Witness--Robt. W. Haywood.

Below is the Bill of Sale for my wife and other six children, to which the
papers that follow are attached.

_State of North Carolina, Wake County._

Know all men by these presents, that for and in consideration of the sum
of eighteen hundred and eighty dollars to me in hand paid, the receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged, I have this day bargained, sold and
delivered unto Lunsford Lane, a free man of color, one dark mulatto
woman named Patsy, one boy named Edward, one boy also named William, one
boy also named Lunsford, one girl named Maria, one boy also named