Anthony Butler v. Mary Shervin. Petition for Freedom William G. Thomas III transcription and encoding Kaci L. Nash University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Maryland National Endowment for the Humanities 2020 O Say Can You See University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Digital Research in the Humanities
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Petition for Freedom November 14, 1790 Our transcription is based on a digital image of the original. Maryland State Archives General Court of the Western Shore (Judgments) MSA S498-13 Supplementary Documents Petition Civil Petition for Freedom May 1791 Butler, Eleanor Butler, Jane Butler, Jane Butler, Rebecca Butler, Anthony Shervin, Mary Duvall, Gabriel, 1752-1844 Maryland. General Court of the Western Shore Annapolis (Md.) transcribed; encoded

To the honourable the Judges of the General Court

The petition of Anthony Butler humbly sheweth that he is held as a slave by Mary Sherwin of Charles County although he is intitled to his freedom, being descended from a free woman. Your petitioner is the son of Jane Butler who was the daughter of Rebecca Butler who was the daughter of Jane Butler who was the daughter of Eleanor Butler a free woman. She therefore prayeth that your honours would take his case into consideration and discharge him from the custody of the aforesaid Mary Shervin, and that summons may Issue for his witnesses, and so forth.

G. Duvall for petitioner

Anthony Butler vs Mary Sherwin

petition

May 1791

filed the 14th of November 1790

sums issued 7th Decr 1790