The Petition of Mary - Transcribed by Gail M. Walczyk
Spelling remains the same
Mary petition for freedom
To the Worshipful
court of Accomac County.The petition of Mary humbly shewith that she is a linial
descendant by female line from a certain [-----] one of the native aboriginal Indians
of this county and has as your [-----] believes a just title to her freedom but being
heald as a slave by a certain Robert And Anna Maria of the county of Accomac she
is in such low & abject curcumstances that she cannot prosecute a suit to assertain
her title to liberty unless this worshipful court will permit her to do so in forma
pauperis and she humbly prays that council may be assigned her and process of this
Court awarded in her behalf and as in duty bound will ever prayMary } her mark
I
humbly concieve that the sd Mary has probable title to her freedomThos M. Bayly Octr
26 1801
Accomack County to wit
Mary a Negro woman held by Robert Andrews
having complained to me John Shepherd Ker a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid,
that she conceives herself ellegally held in Slavery by the said Robert Andrews,
these are therefore to command you in the name of the Commonwealth to summon the
sad Robert Andrews to appear before me or some other Justice of the Peace for this
County to enter into Bond with security to permit the said Negro Mary to appear at
the next Court to be holden for the County agreeable to act of Assembly in that case
made provided Given under my hand & Seal this the 16th day of October 1801 To
any Constable sworn for the County of Accomack
John Harmon constable
having returned the within warrant after having served the same by summoning Robert
Andrews as in therein directed, and the said Robert having failed to appear to give
bond agreeable to law: the said John Harmon in hereby ordered to take charge of the
within named Negro Mary and keep her at the expense of the sd Robert Andrews untill
the next Court to be holden for this county when & where he is to produce said Negro
Mary --- Given under my hand & Seal this the 24. day of October 1801 John Shepherd
Ker Senr.
Sources:
_____. Accomack County VA Chancery Causes, 1727-1805. Petition of Mary, 1801-005. Local Government Records Collection, Northampton County Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Accessed 16 August 2011,.