About 1797, Maryland slaveholder Robert Whiteford transported the slave Fanny to Fauquier County, Virginia, and some ten years later his heirs sold Fanny to Thomas Chapel. Her new owner, however, discovered by searching the court house records, that she had not been registered upon entry into the state of Virginia, as required by law; he therefore gave his title to Fanny back to her previous owners. Chapel, however, retained Fanny's services by hiring her from the Whiteford family; while working for Thomas Chapel, Fanny cohabited with one of Chapel's slaves and lived with him as his wife. When Fanny's owners were getting ready to leave the state and separate Fanny from her husband, some two years prior to the filing of the petition, Chapel encouraged her to raise money by subscription toward the purchase of her freedom; and he contributed "a considerable sum for that purpose." By this means, the petitioners say, "Fanny has raised money sufficient to procure a transfer of herself" and her infant daughter, Ellen, to Thomas Chapel, who again has become her owner and that of her daughter. Chapel is now desirous to free Fanny, Ellen, and a younger daughter born since the transfer. The petitioners ask that Fanny and her children be emancipated. They further add that "they conceive that Justice and Humanity require this at your hands, and that no Plea of expediency can with propriety be urged against it. They trust it will never be said that the Legislature of Virginia of the State which boasts as her Son, the Man who assisted by a band of Patriots united with him in the cause of freedom, achieved the Independence of our Beloved Country—that the Legislature of this State have suffered a legal obstruction to be interposed to the performance of an act so obviously required by the best of motives, but that the 'wisdom which cometh from above' and is profitable to direct in all things will be vouchsafed to guide your deliberations."
Result: Bill drawn.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
