By his 1802 last will and testament, the late John Owen dictated that his slave, Jacob, should be freed after the death of his wife and the payment of all debts on his estate. Now in 1811, both "events having taken place," the slave Jacob petitions for his freedom. He explains to the "honorable Legislature" that he has contributed "by his great exertions" since his owner's death to extinguishing all the debts against the estate. He adds that he has been a "discreet, honest and industrious man," as is attested by "the certificate of a number of the most respectable people of the neighbourhood in which has always lived."
Result: Rejected.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
