The deposition of Thomas Jefferson taken at his House in the County of Albemarle this second day of May in the year One thousand eight hundred and Twenty five, to be read as evidence in a suit depending in the Supreme Court of law holden for the County of Wythe wherein Esther & Sam who sue in forma pauperis are Plts and Henry Umbarger is Deft agreeable to Notice herewith annexed—The said Thomas Jefferson being first duly sworn deposeth and sayeth, That during the life time of Thomas Walker he was acquainted with the said Walkers hand write, and the bill of sale marked A given by the said Walter &C to Patrick Campbell bearing date the 13th day of December 1771, be believes the signature of the said Walker to the said bill of sale, to be in the hand write of the said Walker

Question by Jacob King do you think from your knowledge of Thomas Walker and his general Character that he woud be concerned in giving a bill of sale to any one for a Negro that was not actually a Slave

Answer I do not think that Thomas Walker would knowingly give a bill of sale for a Negro that was not a slave, but John Hawkins and the said Walker were Jointly concerned in buying and selling Negroes, & I do supposed that the said Walker woud execute a bill of sale when required to do so by the said Hawkins, and father this deponant sayeth not

Th: Jefferson