Seventeen residents of Norfolk County represent that in 1715 Mathew Godfrey bequeathed three slaves to the county "whose hire and profits were to be appropriated to the use of the Poor of the said County." Over the years the three, a man and two women, "have increas'd and now amount to about thirty." The petitioners purport that as hirelings said slaves earn less than might be obtained if they were sold and the money invested in "good Security." They therefore "pray that a Law may pass authorising, and directing the Overseers of the Poor of Norfolk County ... to make Sale of the Slaves."
Result: Bill drawn.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
