William Nodding represents that he holds eleven slaves that "he has willed to his Different Children to be free at the age of Thirty five years." He further notes that "by the Laws now in force any person willing to manumit his negroe [must] give bond and Security to keep them from being chargeable to the County which your Petitioner conceives as a Grievance." Averring that he has "conscientious Scruples as to the propriety of their being longer detained in Bondage," Nodding therefore prays "your Honorable body will take his case into consideration, and pass a Law authorizing him ... either by Will or otherwise to manumit any Negro Slave not exceeding thirty five years of age and place it in his power to vest them with any property he may think proper for their support."
Result: Referred to committee of propositions and grievances.
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
