Jerry, a forty-five-year-old "waggnoner," and his wife Susannah were emancipated by the will of their recently deceased owner, John B. Craighill. They petition the legislature to be allowed to remain in the state of Virginia where Jerry was born and where their family live. They inform the court that he and Susannah have four slave children who are part of Craighill's estate and are about to be sold. Furthermore, Jerry's mother who, although a slave has been allowed to live with Jerry and Susannah, is "so old & infirm that she could not be removed to any considerable distance." Jerry prays that a law may be passed authorizing him and Susannah to remain "within the state without incurring the penalties of the act to amend the several laws concerning slaves."
Result: Rejected.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
