Mary Russell laments that her husband Benjamin was killed in 1805 attempting to suppress "an insurrection" on the plantation of the late William Fitzhugh. She reports that her husband, a constable, joined "the overseer and others ... to subdue the slaves, and reduce them to good order, in which attempt an engagement took place and the husband of your petitioner received a wound which proved mortal." The petitioner submits that "the negroes were finally brought into subordination, several tried -- one executed, and two or three transported." Confessing that she and her family "depended principally upon the exertions of her deceased Husband and Herself for their support," Russell "therefore prays your Honorable body to take her case into your Consideration and afford her such relief as in your Wisdom may seem just."
Result: Referred to claims committee; reasonable; bill drawn.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
