Emanuel Gilbert v. Horatio M. Ward. Petition for Freedom
To the Honorable the Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Washington
The Petition of negro Emanuel Gilbert humbly represents, that your petitioner was formerly held in bondage by one Peter Dejean late of Prince Georges County in the State of Maryland but now deceased. That the said Dejean Departed this life some time in the year 1822, having first made & published his last will and testament whereby he gave & bequethed your petitioner [illegible] of his [illegible] to his wife Henrietta during her life and thereby manumitted and set your petitioner free from and after her decease. That the said Henrietta wife of said Dejean departed this life some time in the year 1823 whereby your petitioner became entitled to his freedom. Your petitioner has nevertheless been ever since held in servitude and is now is held and claimed by one Horatio M Ward; your petitioner therefore prays your Honors to grant and issue the US writ of subpoena [illegible] &c &c [illegible] other & further relief as your Honors may deem [illegible] & proper
Richard Wallach for petitioner
445
Negro Emanuel Gilbert
vs
Horatio M. Ward
Petition
Filed 23 Nov 1830
