Thomas Purnell presents to the court that he is the owner of three "young slaves," whom he wishes to emancipate. The slaves are seven-year-old Matilda, five-year-old John, and eighteen-month-old Edward. He declares that he wishes to emancipate the children because their mother is free. He claims to be desirous to educate those "very bright light mulatoes or quatroons" and to give them a trade and knowledge for their bettering and that of society. He therefore asks the court to submit his petition for the "advice and consent" of the police jury. Related documents reveal that, although Purnell used due process of law in 1829 to emancipate Mary and her three children, the latter were still Purnell's slaves in 1842. That year, Purnell required permission for Mary and the children, then seven in number, to travel to the state of Ohio for the purpose of becoming free.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Center for American History, the University of Texas, Austin, Texas
