21282003https://dlas.uncg.edu/petitions/petition/21282003North CarolinaFranklinCounty041820County001820Countygranted103North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North CarolinaJames Houze petitions to emancipate his slave Thomas who is "strictly honest," and in every respect exemplary. His former owner, William Blacknall, deceased, often said he wanted him to be freed. Moreover, House says, Thomas managed a blacksmith shop, including its accounts, for many years.owner(s)/citizens manumit/free slaveVirtually free (enslaved)Property owners (Black)Skills (enslaved)Purchased for emancipation