David and his wife Cloe join Letty and Daniel in representing that they "were formerly the slaves of one Emanuel Fentress," who died in 1812. They state that the said Fentress manumitted them in his last will and testament and also devised to three of them "a small tract of Land." The petitioners reveal, however, that "the Brothers and other representatives of the said Emanuel Fentress, being much dissatisfied and displeased with his said will," seek to nullify said bequest. They charge that the said heirs put forth that the petitioners "were liable to be apprehended and sold as Slaves under an Act of Assembly" by falsely averring that twelve months had elapsed since the death of Fentress. Noting that they have instituted a suit against said heirs, the petitioners pray that a law be passed "whereby they may be permitted permanently to remain in the said County of Princess Anne."
Result: Bill drawn.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
