This deed proves that Dempsey was not married to Mary Polley Vick.
This Indenture made the 15th day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty seven by and between Dempsey Braswell and his wife Mary of the one part and Lew Arrington of the other all of the County of Nash and State of North Carolina Witnesseth that we the sd Dempsey Braswell and wife Mary for and in Consideration of the some of one hundred dollars To us in hand paid by the said Lew Arrington the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledge has given granted bargained and sold to the said Lew Arrington One tract of Land being in the County of Nash and State aforesaid Containing Seventy (?) Seven and a half acres more or less it being a part of the Land formerly belonged to my wifes Father Cooper Williams known by lot no 6 adjoining the lands of Jessey Braswell and John Earls Beginning at a water Oak and pine John Manns Corner on Swift Creek and running west 104 poles to said Manns other Corner then South 12 poles to a red Oak thence west 92 poles to red Oak in the dower line thence nor. 43 East 150 poles to a pine on said Creek thence down sd Creek to the first station, we the sd Dempsey Braswell and wife Mary do warrant and defend the wright and title to Sd Lew Arrington and his heirs forever, Witness our hands and seals day and date above written
Dempsey his X mark Braswell {seal}
Mary her X mark Braswell {seal}
Stat e of North Carolina} Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions
Nash County} May Term 1847
The Execution of the foregoing Deed of sale was acknowledged in open Court by the subscribers thereto whereupon Jno H Drake Jr a Justice of the Peace for Said County is appointed to take the private examination of Mary Braswell seperate & apart from her said husband touching the free execution of the same & report & I Attest F M Taylor CCC
In obedience to the within order I have taken the private Examination of Mary Braswell touching her free Will and consent of the Execution of the within deed of sale and find that She Executed Same Voluntary} Jno. H. Drake Jr {--}
May Term 1847}
It is Ordered that the foregoing Deed together with the private Examination & acknowledgement of the Execution thereof be registered And is registered Attest F. M. Taylor CCC
Attest G W. Ward P. R
(Nash Co., NC DB 19 Pg 73)