| Part of Series | B |
|---|---|
| Microfilm Reel in Collection Series | 13 |
| Microfilm Frame on Reel | 808 |
| Accession Number (identifies petition on microfilm) | 20382703 |
| County | Sussex |
| State | Delaware |
| Year Legislative Petition Filed | 1827 |
| Abstract of Petition | William Pinkerton Burton owned one hundred and fifty acres of land on Burton's Island in Dagsborough Hundred, Sussex County, being "of very considerable Value and Productiveness." In 1810 Burton died, leaving two daughters, seventeen-year-old Comfort and fifteen-year-old Elizabeth, "two young, ignorant and heedless Girls, the sole Inhabitants of a small Tenement, having but one Room under its Roof, and in an obscure and secluded Situation." A short time later, Joshua Ingram "affected to be their Friend and Protector." He sent his male slaves to work the land and the slaves lived with the two girls "by Day and by Night." It was ruinous "to both their "Fortune and Character." In 1811, Elizabeth died. From then until the time of his death, although not legally her guardian, Comfort charges, Burton was "in Receipt of a very considerable Sum of Money, from the Rents and Profits of the said real Estate." He never rendered any account to Comfort, who described herself as "a poor, ignorant, uneducated and helpless Cripple." She seeks restitution from the executor of the estate. |
If you are citing this record, please use the following format:
[Author (if known)], Abstracts of Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775-1867, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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