Ninety-five citizens of Monroe and Roane counties "petition your Honorable body that you pass a law for the benefit of One Certain Aaron Griffith a man of colour aged about fifty years of good moral character and an able minister of the gospel." The petitioners state that the said Griffith "purchased his time of service and paid up the amount agreed on and satisfied said contract which was made before the enactment of the act for the emancipation of slaves &c." They therefore pray "a special act legalizing the freedom of said Aaron in the State of Tennessee" be passed as Aaron "does not wish to be emancipated & sent off on account of his wife and children who are slaves & reside here."
Result: Referred to judiciary committee.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
