The petitioners assert that they are being illegally held as slaves. They inform the court that Joshua Miniard "conveyed all his negroes and other estate" to Josiah and Jethro Joyner in 1797 with the stipulation that they would provide him and wife Catharine "with necessaries for their support and maintenance during their natural lives." The petitioners point out "that some of them are the negroes mentioned in the said deed and the others are the descendants of some of the said negroes." They contend "that it was expressly agreed" that they were to be set free once they raised enough money (£45) to take care of Catharine to which they argue "their hires since the death of the said Joshua Miniard must have been more than sufficient to raise the sum of forty five pounds." The petitioners also claim that the Joyners executed a bond that was "conditioned among other things to emancipate" them. Noting that the Joyners have "actually claimed them as their own proper slaves," the petitioners charge that the Joyners have "erased the words set and free and a part of the word emancipate" in the bond. They pray that the original intent of the bond be enforced and the court will "decree them their freedom."
Result: Partially granted; dismissed.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
