Every now and again that our 21st century mind has trouble understanding. I recently came across a recorded, apparently legal, bill of sale. The text was quoted in Richard B. Morris, "White Bondage in Antebellum South Carolina, "The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, 49, no. 4 (Oct., 1948), page 191.
"Agreement made between William Collings, and Thomas Schooler that the said William Collings Sold his Wife to the said Thomas Schooler for Value received May the Second 1781, the said Mr. Collings says that he never will disturb the said Thomas Schooler Or his property, that the said Schooler has purchased of the said Collings. Witness my hand sealed sign'd and delivered in the Presence of John Hart"
"I do hereby acknowledge to have received from Thos. Schooler the Sum of Two Dollars and half Dozen bowls of Grogg for the sale of my said Wife and property to him, and to have my said Wife forever and a Day, with her bed, Cloathing, etca. Charles Town the 2d May 1781 William Collings"
Sort of a foreshadowing of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge. No additional information about this sale has been found. Hopefully William Collings' wife and Thomas Schooler were happier together than William and his wife were. I'm guessing the sale was by mutual agreement.
