Petition #11681306

Abstract

When his master, Nathaniel Wheeler, decided to move from Prince William County, Virginia, to Tennessee, in 1808, Jacob struck a bargain to purchase himself and remain with his wife and children, slaves in Fairfax County. He paid for himself but before he received his deed of manumission, he explains, the General Assembly prohibited the emancipation of slaves within the commonwealth. Unable to fulfill the contract, Wheeler executed a bill of sale to Christopher Trickey, whom Jacob had chosen as his guardian, "with the condition that" Jacob "should have and enjoy the privileges of a free man." Accordingly, Jacob presented himself to the courthouse of Fairfax County to register as a free person of color. He was rejected. "Far advanced in life," he now turns to the legislature, asking that "in tender compassion for his age, and for the feelings of a faithful old negro" the legislators will "pass an act to enable" him "to spend his few remaining days within the Commonwealth." He would rather die, he says, than leave his wife and children "whom he tenderly loves." A related document reveals that his white guardian, Christopher Trickey, presented an affidavit to the legislature asserting that Jacob "was never designed" to be his slave and presenting himself as "exceedingly desirous" that Jacob be "legally emancipated & allowed to remain in this Commonwealth."

Result: Bill drawn.

3 people are documented within petition 11681306

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Citation information

Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Subjects