Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Source Records

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Name
Virginia Legislative Petitions, 1776-1853 (Library of Virginia African American Narratives project)

Number of Records
45

Date Added
November 1, 2021

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All Records in Virginia Legislative Petitions, 1776-1853 (Library of Virginia African American Narratives project)

Record #1

Petitioner Billy, Moses, Lunnon, & George
Date 1815-12-12
Locality Accomack County
Description Slaves liberated in the will of John Bull, ask for permission to reside in the state. Includes ce…

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Petitioner Billy, Moses, Lunnon, & George
Date 1815-12-12
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Slaves liberated in the will of John Bull, ask for permission to reside in the state. Includes certificates.
Box 1
Folder 50
Film 1
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Record #2

Petitioner Joseph
Date 1815-12-13
Locality Accomack County
Description Slave, freed by the will of Azariah Bloxom, asks for permission to remain in the state.

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Petitioner Joseph
Date 1815-12-13
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Slave, freed by the will of Azariah Bloxom, asks for permission to remain in the state.
Box 1
Folder 51
Film 1
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Record #3

Petitioner Zadock, Peter, Jack, Agnes
Date 1815-12-14
Locality Accomack County
Description Slaves, freed by the will of Margaret Ker Robins, ask for permission to remain in the state. Incl…

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Petitioner Zadock, Peter, Jack, Agnes
Date 1815-12-14
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Slaves, freed by the will of Margaret Ker Robins, ask for permission to remain in the state. Includes will & certificate.
Box 1
Folder 52
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Record #4

Petitioner Somers, Horsey & Rae, Charles
Date 1816-12-18
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks to retain two slaves in the state that belonged to Isaac Somers, of Somerset County, Maryland.

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Petitioner Somers, Horsey & Rae, Charles
Date 1816-12-18
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks to retain two slaves in the state that belonged to Isaac Somers, of Somerset County, Maryland.
Box 1
Folder 56
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Record #5

Petitioner Inhabitants
Date 1782-06-03
Locality Accomack County
Description Protest against legislation for the manumission of slaves.

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Petitioner Inhabitants
Date 1782-06-03
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Protest against legislation for the manumission of slaves.
Box 1
Folder 10
Film 1
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Record #6

Petitioner Henderson, Littleton P.
Date 1827-12-11
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for authority for directors of the Literary Fund to repay purchase money, paid by petitioner…

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Petitioner Henderson, Littleton P.
Date 1827-12-11
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for authority for directors of the Literary Fund to repay purchase money, paid by petitioner for a free negro, Jim Outten. Includes receipt & court documents.
Box 1
Folder 70
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Record #7

Petitioner Hall, Henry H.
Date 1827-12-11
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for refund of $92 for a suit brought against him by John Knox for the reward of the capture …

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Petitioner Hall, Henry H.
Date 1827-12-11
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for refund of $92 for a suit brought against him by John Knox for the reward of the capture of Sam Powell, a free negro who committed murder. Includes court documents.
Box 1
Folder 71
Film 1
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Record #8

Petitioner Henderson, Littleton P.
Date 1828-12-23
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for refund of $50 with interest, paid for free negro Jim Outten, in sale of free negroes in …

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Petitioner Henderson, Littleton P.
Date 1828-12-23
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for refund of $50 with interest, paid for free negro Jim Outten, in sale of free negroes in 1826. Includes certificate.
Box 1
Folder 73
Film 1
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Record #9

Petitioner Joynes, John D.
Date 1834-12-31
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for refund of $117.45 paid by him in a suit by Littleton R. Henderson for recovery of purcha…

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Petitioner Joynes, John D.
Date 1834-12-31
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for refund of $117.45 paid by him in a suit by Littleton R. Henderson for recovery of purchase price of free negro, Jim Outten, and sold by the overseers of the poor. Includes court documents.
Box 1
Folder 78
Film 1
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Record #10

Petitioner Patty
Date 1838-01-02
Locality Accomack County
Description Slave freed by Catherine Coward asks for permission to remain in the state.

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Petitioner Patty
Date 1838-01-02
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Slave freed by Catherine Coward asks for permission to remain in the state.
Box 1
Folder 82
Film 1
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Record #11

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1838-01-06
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission for Solomon, freed by the will of Elizabeth Wharton, to remain in the State.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1838-01-06
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission for Solomon, freed by the will of Elizabeth Wharton, to remain in the State.
Box 1
Folder 84
Film 1
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Record #12

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1838-01-13
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission for Isaac, manumitted by Purnel O. Outten, to remain in the State.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1838-01-13
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission for Isaac, manumitted by Purnel O. Outten, to remain in the State.
Box 1
Folder 85
Film 1
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Record #13

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1838-01-13
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission for John, freed by the will of William Mathews, to remain in the State.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1838-01-13
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission for John, freed by the will of William Mathews, to remain in the State.
Box 1
Folder 86
Film 1
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Record #14

Petitioner Rew, Richard S.
Date 1840-01-15
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for refund of money paid in purchase of a negro, William, freed by Charles Ewell and sold by…

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Petitioner Rew, Richard S.
Date 1840-01-15
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for refund of money paid in purchase of a negro, William, freed by Charles Ewell and sold by Thomas Lilliston in 1839.
Box 2
Folder 1
Film 1
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Record #15

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1843-01-11
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for an act requiring free negroes in Accomack who sell produce to show certificate of two hou…

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1843-01-11
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for an act requiring free negroes in Accomack who sell produce to show certificate of two housekeepers that produce was honestly obtained.
Box 2
Folder 8
Film 1
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Record #16

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1845-01-07
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission for Peter Snead, a free negro emancipated by the will of Tully Snead, to live …

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1845-01-07
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission for Peter Snead, a free negro emancipated by the will of Tully Snead, to live in the state.
Box 2
Folder 13
Film 1
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Record #17

Petitioner Underhill, Thomas
Date 1845-01-11
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for payment for his services during the last war.

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Petitioner Underhill, Thomas
Date 1845-01-11
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for payment for his services during the last war.
Box 2
Folder 14
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Record #18

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1845-01-21
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks that the purchase price of a runaway negro, William Ewell, sold to Richard S. Rew by court b…

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1845-01-21
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks that the purchase price of a runaway negro, William Ewell, sold to Richard S. Rew by court be refunded. Includes copy of court record, account of sale, & certificate.
Box 2
Folder 15
Film 1
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Record #19

Petitioner Rew, Richard S.
Date 1845-01-21
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for the return of the purchase price of a negro, William, who was sold to the petitioner by …

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Petitioner Rew, Richard S.
Date 1845-01-21
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for the return of the purchase price of a negro, William, who was sold to the petitioner by the sheriff, but who ran off to New York and is a total loss.
Box 2
Folder 16
Film 1
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Record #20

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1845-01-28
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission for Richard Chandler, a free negro, to remain within the Commonwealth.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1845-01-28
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission for Richard Chandler, a free negro, to remain within the Commonwealth.
Box 2
Folder 17
Film 1
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Record #21

Petitioner Peck, Benjamin
Date 1776-11-08
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for compensation for use of a lost boat, used by negroes in the Salt Works for returning home.

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Petitioner Peck, Benjamin
Date 1776-11-08
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for compensation for use of a lost boat, used by negroes in the Salt Works for returning home.
Box 1
Folder 2
Film 1
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Record #22

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1848-03-02
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for a law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors to free negroes.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1848-03-02
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for a law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors to free negroes.
Box 2
Folder 25
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Record #23

Petitioner Rew, Richard S.
Date 1849-12-06
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for a refund of purchase money of a free negro sold for remaining in the state more than 12 …

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Petitioner Rew, Richard S.
Date 1849-12-06
Locality Accomack County
Type Endorsement
Description Asks for a refund of purchase money of a free negro sold for remaining in the state more than 12 months under the law of 1806. [Not Filmed]
Box 2
Folder 33a
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Record #24

Petitioner Paramour, Thomas
Date 1778-12-03
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for the return of his slave, sent to the lead mines for attempting to join Lord Dunmore, and…

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Petitioner Paramour, Thomas
Date 1778-12-03
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for the return of his slave, sent to the lead mines for attempting to join Lord Dunmore, and compensation for his service in the mines.
Box 1
Folder 7
Film 1
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Record #25

Petitioner Latham, Ayres
Date 1805-12-13
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for a divorce from his wife Tabitha Latham who has borne a mulatto child.

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Petitioner Latham, Ayres
Date 1805-12-13
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for a divorce from his wife Tabitha Latham who has borne a mulatto child.
Box 1
Folder 36
Film 1
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Record #26

Petitioner Robins, Margaret Ker
Date 1809-12-06
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission to retain without penalty slaves left her by her father, Thomas Bagby, of Acco…

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Petitioner Robins, Margaret Ker
Date 1809-12-06
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission to retain without penalty slaves left her by her father, Thomas Bagby, of Accomac, taken into Maryland and brought back again.
Box 1
Folder 39
Film 1
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Record #27

Petitioner Houston, William
Date 1809-12-15
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for the privilege of bringing three slaves from Maryland into Virginia.

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Petitioner Houston, William
Date 1809-12-15
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for the privilege of bringing three slaves from Maryland into Virginia.
Box 1
Folder 40
Film 1
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Record #28

Petitioner McMaster, James
Date 1809-12-15
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for the privilege of bringing a slave from Maryland into Virginia.

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Petitioner McMaster, James
Date 1809-12-15
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for the privilege of bringing a slave from Maryland into Virginia.
Box 1
Folder 41
Film 1
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Record #29

Petitioner Jingo
Date 1810-12-08
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for permission to remain in the state. Includes certificates.

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Petitioner Jingo
Date 1810-12-08
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for permission to remain in the state. Includes certificates.
Box 1
Folder 42
Film 1
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Record #30

Petitioner Houston, William
Date 1811-01-24
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for permission to bring slaves from Maryland into Virginia. Includes list of other persons a…

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Petitioner Houston, William
Date 1811-01-24
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for permission to bring slaves from Maryland into Virginia. Includes list of other persons also requesting to brings slaves into the state.
Box 1
Folder 44
Film 1
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Record #31

Petitioner McMaster, James
Date 1811-01-24
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for permission to bring slave from Maryland into Virginia.

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Petitioner McMaster, James
Date 1811-01-24
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for permission to bring slave from Maryland into Virginia.
Box 1
Folder 45
Film 1
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Record #32

Petitioner Justice, Robin
Date 1811-12-04
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks for permission for himself, his children and wife, all emancipated, to reside in the Commonw…

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Petitioner Justice, Robin
Date 1811-12-04
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks for permission for himself, his children and wife, all emancipated, to reside in the Commonwealth.
Box 1
Folder 46
Film 1
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Record #33

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1852-02-18
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks that the free negroes be permitted to remain in the county, and be compelled to hire themsel…

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1852-02-18
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks that the free negroes be permitted to remain in the county, and be compelled to hire themselves out under the supervision of commissioners appointed. Includes certificate.
Box 2
Folder 50
Film 2
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Record #34

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1852-02-18
Locality Accomack County
Description Asks that the free negroes be permitted to remain in the county, and be compelled to hire themsel…

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1852-02-18
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Asks that the free negroes be permitted to remain in the county, and be compelled to hire themselves out under the supervision of commissioners appointed.
Box 2
Folder 51
Film 2
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Record #35

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1852-05-17
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for permission for free negroes to remain in the county, and appointment of commissioners to …

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1852-05-17
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for permission for free negroes to remain in the county, and appointment of commissioners to hire them out.
Box 2
Folder 58
Film 2
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Record #36

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1853-02-10
Locality Accomack County
Description Ask for a law governing and regulating the free negro population in the county.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1853-02-10
Locality Accomack County
Type Petition
Description Ask for a law governing and regulating the free negro population in the county.
Box 2
Folder 61
Film 2
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Record #37

Petitioner Smith, Isaac; Bowdoin, Preston; & Smith, Thoroughgood
Date 1776-11-07
Locality Northampton County
Description Executors of John Bowdoin, deceased, ask for the return of two slaves belonging to his estate who…

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Petitioner Smith, Isaac; Bowdoin, Preston; & Smith, Thoroughgood
Date 1776-11-07
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Executors of John Bowdoin, deceased, ask for the return of two slaves belonging to his estate who were sent to the lead mines.
Box 184
Folder 1
Film 140
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Record #38

Petitioner Wilson, John Curtis
Date 1792-10-13
Locality Northampton County
Description Asks for a law to authorize & permit him to remove sundry slaves from Somerset County, Maryland, …

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Petitioner Wilson, John Curtis
Date 1792-10-13
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Asks for a law to authorize & permit him to remove sundry slaves from Somerset County, Maryland, to Virginia.
Box 184
Folder 19
Film 140
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Record #39

Petitioner Jarvis, William
Date 1818-12-23
Locality Northampton County
Description Deputy sheriff of Northampton County under Thomas D. Simkins in 1813 & 1814 asks for a law author…

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Petitioner Jarvis, William
Date 1818-12-23
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Deputy sheriff of Northampton County under Thomas D. Simkins in 1813 & 1814 asks for a law authorizing the Auditor to issue a warrant for $175 as credit for a list of insolvent free negroes.
Box 184
Folder 38
Film 140
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Record #40

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1831-12-06
Locality Northampton County
Description Ask for a law to remove free persons of color from the county to Liberia.

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1831-12-06
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Ask for a law to remove free persons of color from the county to Liberia.
Box 184
Folder 51
Film 140
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Record #41

Petitioner House of Delegates
Date 1837-01-07
Locality Northampton County
Description Resolution of the Committee for Courts of Justice to enquire into the expediency of confirming a …

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Petitioner House of Delegates
Date 1837-01-07
Locality Northampton County
Type Resolution
Description Resolution of the Committee for Courts of Justice to enquire into the expediency of confirming a sale made by Miers W. Fisher, committee of Edward R. Boisnard, a lunatic, of a slave named Mary. Includes court order.
Box 184
Folder 59
Film 140
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Record #42

Petitioner Waddey, Edward R.
Date 1838-01-25
Locality Northampton County
Description Appointed by the Executive as agent for the purpose of receiving fugitives from justice in New Yo…

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Petitioner Waddey, Edward R.
Date 1838-01-25
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Appointed by the Executive as agent for the purpose of receiving fugitives from justice in New York and asks for a law appropriating a sum for apprehending the fugitives. Includes correspondence & executive order.
Box 184
Folder 61
Film 140
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Record #43

Petitioner Citizens
Date 1839-02-23
Locality Northampton County
Description Ask to amend or modify the act passed on 4 March 1833 "making appropriations for the removal of f…

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Petitioner Citizens
Date 1839-02-23
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Ask to amend or modify the act passed on 4 March 1833 "making appropriations for the removal of free persons of color." Includes petition regarding the sale of a tract of land called Dixon's & a tavern lot in the village of Bridgewater (1812/12/22).
Box 184
Folder 68
Film 140
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Record #44

Petitioner Robins, Candis & Shadrack
Date 1841-02-09
Locality Northampton County
Description Former slaves emancipated by the will of Nancy Robins ask for permission to remain in the Commonw…

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Petitioner Robins, Candis & Shadrack
Date 1841-02-09
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Former slaves emancipated by the will of Nancy Robins ask for permission to remain in the Commonwealth.
Box 184
Folder 70
Film 140
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Record #45

Petitioner Stephens, Rica & Others
Date 1843-02-15
Locality Northampton County
Description Free negro, born in Northampton and resident of Accomack, who purchased & emancipated his wife & …

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Petitioner Stephens, Rica & Others
Date 1843-02-15
Locality Northampton County
Type Petition
Description Free negro, born in Northampton and resident of Accomack, who purchased & emancipated his wife & daughters, asks for permission for them to remain in the Commonwealth.
Box 184
Folder 75
Film 140
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