Frederick Kohne represents that he purchased the slave Will in 1816, at which time he agreed in writing "to Secure to the said Will his freedom from Slavery in consideration that he the said Will would pay to your Petitioner the sum of three hundred Dollars, and continue to Serve your Petitioner for four years & two months." Kohne declares that Will faithfully fulfilled his obligations and is in "strict compliance with the contract." The petitioner reports, however, that he "was unable to comply with the terms of contract by reason of his absence from the State" and on his return "he was prevented from performance of his agreement because of the act of your Honorable body" passed in December 1820 prohibiting the emancipation of slaves "except under the special sanction of the Legislature." Kohne therefore prays that the "said Servant Will," who exhibits "good Character & Industry," be emancipated and set free.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
