One hundred thirty-four citizens of Fayette County seek relief for Martha Carpenter, a widow left with nine children. They represent that "to Support this large family the only property left her was a Negro man and a few goods & chattels of small value." They further recount that "the negro man Rice murdered her oldest son ... and was for this offence convicted of Murder" and was hanged in 1847. With little other property, they state that "she was thus left by a Calamity distressing to her self and disastrous to her young family." The petitioners therefore pray, "in view of her destitute Condition and in Conformity with universal Sympathy in her favour," that "she be allowed the value of the property thus taken from her by the operation of the Law."
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
