{"petition":[{"petition_analysis_number":"11678901","petition_url":"https:\/\/dlas.uncg.edu\/petitions\/petition\/11678901","state":"Virginia","county":"Halifax","location_type":"County","file_day":22,"file_month":10,"file_year":1789,"filing_court":"Legislative","result":"referred to Claims Committee; reported","enslaved_count":0,"fpoc_count":1,"total_people_count":2,"repository":"Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia","abstract":"James Wimbish states that his slave Toby absconded in 1773, and later, in 1778, under the alias William Ferguson, joined the 14th Virginia Regiment as a United States soldier.  He declares that he later discovered said slave had retired from the army and \"had married a white woman, by whom he had several children.\" The petitioner discloses that he decided to manumit his said slave, \"in consequence of his faithful and meritorious Services to the Public\" and that said slave was emancipated.  Wimbish notes, however, that \"the pay and Depreciation due the said William Ferguson alias Toby has not been drawn or settled either by himself or your Petitioner.\"  He therefore prays \"that your Honble House will take into tender consideration his said case, and pass such a Resolution, as may enable him to obtain a Settlement with the Auditor of Public [Accounts] for what ever may be Justly due the said William Ferguson, alias Toby for his services rendered the United States.\"","subjects":[{"subject":"owner(s)\/citizens manumit\/free slave"},{"subject":"Freedom seekers"},{"subject":"Interracial relationships"},{"subject":"Veterans"}]}]}