Ralph Butler v. John Lucas. 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 May 14, 1789 Our transcription is based on a digital image of the original. Maryland State Archives General Court of the Western Shore (Judgments) MSA S498-14 Supplementary Documents Petition Civil Petition for Freedom October 1791 Butler, Eleanor Butler, Jane Butler, Nell Gwinn, John Saint Mary's County (Md.) Butler, Ralph Lucas, John 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 Ralph Butler humble sheweth that he is held in slavery by John Lucas of St Marys County altho he is entitled to his freedom being the son of Nelly Butler who was Daughter of Jane Butler who was Daughter of Eleanor Butler a free white woman. Your petitioner therefore prays your honors to Direct summons to issue against the said John Lucas and that the premises considered he be Discharged and he will pray and so forth.

G. Duvall for Petr

Ralph Butler v John Lucas

Peto

Mr Gwinn, File it & Issue Summons yrs, G. Duvall.

Depo as Igns vs Joseph Simmes Octo 1791

Filed 14 May 1789

Isd sums retble to next Court Issd

Octo 1791