Andrew Knight laments that "by the Dispensation of Divine Providence" he was rendered a widower and the sole support and "nurse of Eight small Children, one in the arms." A mechanic of moderate means, Knight confesses that he "could not afford to hire ... any person as a Cook, Nurse Seamstress & so forth." He states, however, that from "his hard earnings he had laid up wherewithal to purchase a Negroe wench slave for these purposes"; in late November 1816, Knight went to Virginia "and purchased his slave." The petitioner discovered, however, that the legislature had passed in his absence an act "to prevent the introduction of Slaves into this State," forcing him to keep the said slave in North Carolina. Professing that he "is in great need of the services of the said slave is much injured by want of them," Knight prays that he be permitted to bring said slave into the state.
Result: Referred to judiciary committee.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
