Petition #20881316

Abstract

Marie Gabriel, Carit, and Zilia, women of color, wish to ensure their freedom. They represent that, in Cuba, they were slaves of “Dame Magnan Widow Letourneur,” who, in order to "reward the good services that she had received," freed them. When the French population was forced to leave Cuba, the widow moved to New Orleans. In order to express their gratitude to Mrs. Letourneur, the three petitioners followed her to Louisiana and worked for her there until her death. Prior to her death, Mrs. Letourneur, fearful that her heirs might try to reclaim the petitioners as slaves, instructed in her will that her executor, Claude Magnan, should fulfill all the formalities required for emancipation in the Louisiana courts. Magnan has yet to do this and the petitioners worry that their freedom may be revoked. They pray that the court order Magnan to fulfill the wishes of the widow's will.

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Citation information

Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana

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