Thomas Butler v. Gabriel Duvall. 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 June 2, 1828 Our transcription is based on a digital image of the original. National Archives and Records Administration Record Group 21, Entry 6 Box 454, Folder 80 Case Papers Petition Civil Petition for Freedom May 1831 Brent, William, 1774-1848 Chalmers, John Washington County (D.C.) Washington (D.C.) Butler, Airy Butler, Eliza Butler, Liddy Butler, Matilda Butler, Reason Butler, Sally Butler, Sarah Butler, Thomas Duvall, Gabriel, 1752-1844 Beale, Robert United States. Circuit Court (District of Columbia) Washington (D.C.) added xml:ids; transcription; added Brent to people reviewed, edited encoded

To the Honble The Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Washington

The several petitions of Thomas Butler & Sarah his wife, Matilda; Airey, Reason, & Sally children of said Thomas & Sarah and Liddy & Eliza grand children of said Thomas & Sarah the two last by said Thomas their grand father and next friend respectfully and humbly sets forth to your honors that they are persons of colour who are entitled to their freedom and who are now held in a state of slavery by one Gabriel Duval contrary to law & to your petitioners just & legal rights and that they are about to be sold into slavery out of this district to some foreign purchasers wherefor they severally pray your Honors to grant them such to relief as they may be lawfully entitled to and such process of your honorable court against the said Gabriel Duvall as is usual in such cases to compel the attendance of the said Gabriel in your honorable court to answer this petition and to enter the usual security and recognizance not to remove your petitioners or any of them out of the jurisdiction of your Honorable Court & they as in duty bound will ever pray &c

Robert Beale

District of Columbia Washington County ss

Appears before me a Justice of the Peace in & for this County. The Person above named & in this Petition and made oath in due form of Law to the facts therein stated.

Given under my hand & Seal this 10 June 1828

Jno Chalmers (seal)

18

App to Decr. 1828

Thomas Butler & others vs Gabriel Duvall

Mr Brent will please file this petition & issue the necessary process

Filed 2nd June 1828