Eight legatees and eight "respectable neighbours" of the late Benjamin Davidson ask that Ned, "once the property" of the said decedent, be manumitted. They point out that Davidson died twelve years ago and that Ned faithfully "managed all his Master's business home and abroad for a good number of years before he died and then for seven or eight years he took great care of his mistress, done all the business on the farm, went to market and done all the trading, that was necessary, and since her death he has been hired out untill the demand of the $300 is satisfied." As "friends of humanity and freedom," the petitioners "sincerely entreat you to grant our request as we verily believe Ned has Merited his freedom."
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Repository: North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina
