Joe v. George Chapman. Petition for Freedom
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To the Honble the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for Washington County.
The Petition of Negroe Joe humbly sheweth that your Petitioner is a free man agreeably to the laws & is unjustly held in bondage by a certain George Chapman who claims your Petitioner as a slave. Your Petitioner therefore prays to be discharged from his said servitude, & that a subpoena may issue to the said George Chapman commanding him to appear before your Honours & answer to the premisses; & your Petitioner being prepared to prove his said claim to freedom prays your Honors that the same may be duly enquired into & that he may be granted such relief in the premisses as to your Honors may seem just &c
F S Key for Petr.
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197. 249.
Negroe Joe
vs
George Chapman
Pet:
Mr Brent
Please to issue subpa on the within & file it.
Yrs
F S Key.
Filed 10. Oct. 1810
give the petr. the usual protection.