In his 30 September 1856 will, William J. Armstrong directed his slaves be hired out until all his debts were paid, then divided equally among his heirs with the proviso that “it is my desire that at the division of my Slaves my Daughter Mary E. Barnes have Slave Harry as a part of her share at a fair valuation as she has had him for several years.”

North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.