Forty-eight residents of Henrico County support the emancipation of Walter Spurlock, sometimes called Watt, a black man about forty-five years of age. They explain to the General Assembly that Walter has paid his former master, William Winston, for his freedom, assessed at 110 pounds. Although several citizens assisted him in making the first payment of $200, they were reimbursed by Walter. In fact, fearing that "some ill disposed Person or Persons" might disturb Walter "in his honest pursuits," one of the citizens, Bowler Cocke, "has listed him as his slave & acted as Master for him in every respect since." The petitioners claim that "no person can possibly be injured by the Emancipation of this Man, & the County much benfitted by having so good a Wheelright." They therefore hope that the General Assembly will think their "Prayer reasonable & pass a Law for the immediate emancipation" of Walter Spurlock.
Result: Reasonable, reported.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
