Complex sentence: This was an informal freedom as a reward for his service, yet despite this, Hughes' wife Ursula and all their children were sold in 1827, along with all but five slaves from Monticello to settle outstanding debts of the estate.
Split into simpler sentences: This was an informal freedom as a reward for his service. Despite this, Hughes' wife Ursula and all their children were sold in 1827, along with all but five slaves from Monticello to settle outstanding debts of the estate.