Rev. John H. Gray and Billy Armour seek the court's confirmation of Billy's emancipation. Gray informs the court that he purchased 40-year-old Billy Armour in July 1848 for $700 from John D. Armour, "with the intention of emancipating and manumitting the said Billy." Gray "is now the more inclined to this by reason of the industrious services and good and orderly character" of Billy. The petitioners assert that Billy Armour has met all the requirements for emancipation established by the state legislature. They explain that Billy plans to move to Liberia "so soon as he may do so," but he wants to remain in the county for now. He has two sons, still slaves, "whom he desires to purchase and take with him to the colony or state of Liberia." The petitioners report that the "purchase contract has already been made" and that Billy is "industriously employed, by honest labor and good and orderly conduct, in raising funds for this purpose."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Memphis and Shelby County Archives, Memphis, Tennessee
