On 1 October 1825, Edward Fenwick promised Michael Fenwick, a slave, that he would be free whenever he "should pay to him the said Edward Fenwick, the full amount of the said purchase price" of $318, plus interest. Edward allowed Michael to hire himself out and accepted his earnings as payment towards his freedom. Michael, "animated by this promised reward of emancipation," worked vigorously and by 17 December 1829 he owed Edward less than $100. Gardiner, the petitioner, "pleased with the conduct of the said negro," agreed to pay the remaining sum to Edward, who agreed in writing to emancipate Michael after he had served Gardiner for three years. Now Gardiner petitions that when he presented Edward with a certificate attesting to Michael's service, Edward refused to free Michael. In order that "these good and charitable intentions" may be carried out, Gardiner asks the court to subpoena Edward Fenwick and to order Michael Fenwick's manumission to secure to him "the enjoyment of his proper freedom."
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
