Petition #11684902

Abstract

John M. Ferguson, sergeant of the City of Richmond and keeper of the jail, seeks reimbursement for expenses incurred while he held Nancy Parham, a free woman of color, in jail. Ferguson informs the legislature that Nancy Parham was committed to jail "as a free woman of colour in want of a register," i.e., Nancy had not received the appropriate permission to reside in the city as required by law. The court directed Ferguson to hire out Nancy for a period not exceeding two years in order to pay for jail fees. However, when it was discovered that Nancy had cancer and was not expected to recover, nobody would hire her. Ferguson was forced to ask the Overseers of the Poor to allow her "to be received into the poorhouse." She was discharged from the jail, but Ferguson has so far "received no part of the jail fees." He uses Nancy's case to represent to the legislature that the "law makes no provision as to what is to be done with free negroes confined in jail under such circumstances." It is difficult to find people to hire free blacks as the law requires, even in the best of circumstances, Ferguson argues, for he hirer must post bond "into a penalty double the value affixed to said free persons by the Court." As the jailer, Ferguson has been "compelled to suffer considerable losses." Therefore, in addition to seeking compensation for his expenses in Nancy Parham's case, Ferguson asks that "further provisions for relief" be made when such cases "may hereafter arise."

Result: Bill drawn.

2 people are documented within petition 11684902

Or you may view all people.

Citation information

Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Subjects