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To the Honorable Judges of the Circuit Court of the U. S. for the district of Columbia, sitting in the County of Alexandria.
Fanny Smith, humbly petitioning, sheweth to your honors that she is illegally detained in slavery by a certain Joseph Thornton in the town of Alexandria, for this - that she was born in the State of Maryland on the estate of a certain Robert Fenwicke, whose slave she was and continued to be until the said Robert Fenwicke passed her by sale or gift to his son Joseph Fenwicke, who carried her into the state of Kentucky, where she remained some time, and afterwards brought her back again into the state of Maryland. Your petitioner sheweth further to your honors, that after she had remained some time in Maryland, the said Joseph Fenwicke brought her into the town of Alexandria in the Commonwealth of Virginia, without any intention of residing permanently in that place; & without being taken, within the time limited and in manner required, the oath prescribed by the laws of Virginia in cases of this kind. And your petitioner further sheweth to your honors that the said Joseph Fenwicke, after residing for a short time in the said town of Alexandria, sold your petitioner to a certain Joseph Thornton, who now claims your petitioner as his slave; and who contrary to the act of assembly
Fanny Smith.
Novr. 19. 1807.
Fanny Smith
a
Joseph Thornton
Petition
1807. Novr. Term, 4th day, Peto.
1808. January Contd.
February Contd.
March Contd.
April Continued
May Continued
July Term 4th day It is ordered that Wednesday next be assigned for the trial of this cause.
9th day On motion it is ordered that the deft. bring into Court Negro Fanny Smith, the pltff to attend the trial of this Suit.
10th day. It is ordered by consent of parities that the 17th day of this Court be assigned for the trial of this cause.
1808. July Term 17th day Jury sworn & Verdict for Plaintiff for One Cent Damages & Judgt. accordingly.
We of the Jury find for the Plaintiff
one Cent Damages
J. Muncaster foreman