John Thornton v. Orrin Davis. Petition for Freedom Jennifer Guiliano Trevor Muñoz William G. Thomas III transcription and encoding Steph N. Camerone Kaci L. Nash Laura K. Weakly University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Maryland National Endowment for the Humanities 2014 O Say Can You See University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Digital Research in the Humanities
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 Petition for Freedom March 7, 1835 Our transcription is based on a digital image of the original. National Archives and Records Administration Record Group 21, Entry 6 Box 528, Folder 313 Case Papers Petition Civil Petition for Freedom March 1835 Washington County (D.C.) Washington (D.C.) Thornton, John Davis, Orrin Giberson, Gilbert L. United States. Circuit Court (District of Columbia) Washington (D.C.) corrected spelling of Orrin added xml:ids; changed defendant Irvine to Orvin reviewed; edited encoded

To the Honorable the Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for Washington County.

The petition of John Thornton Respectfully Sheweth: that your petitioner is entitled to his freedom, and is held as a slave for life by a certain Ir who is to carry your petitioner out of and beyond the Jurisdiction of your Honors, to some place to him unknown. Your Petitioner therefore prays your Honors to grant him the United States Writ of Subpoena in the usual form, to be directed to the Marshal of the District aforesaid and such other and further relief in the premises, as to your honors shall deem first and right, and he will pray and so forth.

G. L Giberson atty for Petitioner.

313

John Thornton's Petition for freedom.

The Clerk will please issue on this petition. G. L Giberson atty for Petitioner.

fd 7 March 1835