Benjamin Stevenson states that he "removed from the state of Maryland into the District of Kentucky and brought with him a few Negro Slaves" in 1787. He laments, however, that "he never was informed or heard that it behooved him to take any Oath concerning the importation of his Negroes into the State of Virginia" and that "by neglecting to take the Oath prescribed by law his Negroes were entitled to freedom." With the Legislature "his only prospect for relief," Stevenson "prays that the peculiarity of his situation may be taken into Consideration, and such relief granted as will secure to him the possession of the hard earnings of many Years industry, and deliver his beloved Wife and Children from that poverty which otherwise will be unavoidable."
Result: Referred to courts of justice.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
