John Elson, a free man of color, purchased his wife and two children. He is now nearing the end of his life and, desirous to free his daughter Clemenza, he asks that she be permitted to remain with him in Virginia after freedom. She would prove "a harmless and inoffensive, if not a valuable citizen of the Commonwealth." It is not clear whether at the time of the petition Elson had already freed his daughter or if Clemenza was still a slave as the language of the petition implies. A note accompanying the filing of the petition describes Clemenza as a "free woman of color."
Result: Referred to committee for courts of justice.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
