One hundred forty-three residents of Petersburg "state that in their opinion much inconvenience results to the free colored population of this Corporation & they suppose to others in obtaining the means of marrying, burying & baptizing persons of their Colour under the existing laws of this Commonwealth, which now require these ... ceremonies to be performed by white ministers of the Gospel." The petitioners therefore propose "authorizing the Corporation Courts of this Commonwealth to give permission to such free Colored ministers of the Gospel as they consider worthy of confidence, authority ... to perform the abovementioned services, in the day time; with power to such Courts to revoke the authority so conferred whenever in their opinion it may be necessary or proper."
Result: Rejected.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
