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State of Virginia
City of Petersburg

On the 11th day of June A. D. 1807, peaceably appeared before me James M. Dornan a Notary Public --- in and for The City and State aforesaid, Catherine Steward, who being duly sworn deposes and says that she was living with Mrs Strange of Gordonsville Va in winter of 1865 and 1866, and that she had with her, her child named Mary Ella Steward aged at that time about 7 years; that Mrs. Strange requested her to bind the child Mary Ella to her until it became of age, but she stated she did not wish to do so until she heard from her Mother. That Mrs Strange told her she would never find her Mother as she was dead, and that if she did not have the child bound to her, she and it would be brought to want and suffering. That under these circumstances, being ignorant and having no friends to appeal to for aid, the child was bound to Mrs Strange by Maj Crandon with her consent. That she has since learned that at the time Mrs Strange made the representation above stated, thereby causing her to consent to have the child Mary Ella bound as stated, she (Mrs Strange) was aware of her Mothers whereabouts, her Mother having frequently written requesting her to come to Petersburg to live with her, which letters Mrs Strange kept back and never informed her of their contents.
Catherine Steward her X mark
Witness Mark
J.M. Dornan
C.B. Stark

Also personally appeared Mary Crusup who being duly