Slavery Petitions

Excerpts from the Legislative petitions offer immediate testimony on a broad range of subjects by a variety of southerners--black and white, slave and free,  slave owner and non-slave owner, women and men--over nearly a century of time. Petitions are from from fifteen states and the District of Columbia.

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PAR#: 11000006
Hinds County, Mississippi

Abstract:
William S. Byrd asks to emancipate the female slave "Tener about forty five years of age, of good Morral Character." He states that she had served in his and his father's family for many years. She was known for "good deeds done, and worthy acts Performed."

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PAR #: 11083004
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1830

Abstract:
Elizabeth Fort seeks remuneration from the state after her slave Henry was executed for stabbing a white man with intent to kill. She is fifty-two years old and owns only two other slaves, a man and a woman, "capable of serving her, & providing a support for her declining years."

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PAR#: 11083103
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1831

Abstract:
Lewis Glover asks to free a slave named Rachel, who served him with industry, honesty, and fidelity" for many years.

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PAR#: 11085904
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1859

Abstract:
Forty-four citizens of Hinds County write in behalf of Joseph Nelson, a good house carpenter who is "sober & respectful in his deportment." They request that he be exempted from the pending bill designed to drive free persons of color from the state.

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PAR#: 11085906
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1859

Abstract:
Forty-four citizens of Hinds County write in behalf of A. Chevis, who "has conducted himself with honesty, sobriety, & humbleness; never having, to our nowledge, indulged in any Conduct Calculated to render his residence here objectionable." He had worked as a barber and bricklayer. His wife was a slave, and they had eight slave children. The petitioners request that he be exempted from the pending bill designed to drive free people of color from the state.

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PAR#: 11085910
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1859

Abstract:
Hinds County residents support Edward Hill, a free man of color residing in the town of Raymond. Hill, a blacksmith, was temperate, honest, and industrious and managed an extensive and successful business. They request that he be exempted from the pending bill designed to drive free people of color from the state.

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PAR#: 11085918
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1859

Abstract:
Illiterate free man of color Jesse Russell asks the legislature to pass a special act to make him the property of James Tapley of Hinds County.

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PAR#: 11085922
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1859

Abstract:
Free man of color Joseph Nelson asks for an exemption from the law forcing
free black people to leave the state. He had arrived in Mississippi as a child in 1835 and had lived in Hinds County ever since. He has a wife and children who are slaves belonging to Judge A. Dabney of the town of Raymond.

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PAR#: 11085925
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1859

Abstract:
Free people of color Howard Cash and his wife ask for a special act allowing
them to remain in the state. Howard had purchased his freedom, and his wife had been
born free. Both were elderly, and if "it may please the Almighty to spare their lives,
they will endeavour to demean themselves as good and loyal Subjects to the State."

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PAR#: 11086003
Hinds County, Mississippi   •   Year: 1860

Abstract:
Roseanna, a free woman of color, asks the legislature to pass a law making
her the slave of Calvin Bolls.

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