O Say Can You See

Same proceedings and Judgment, mutatis mutandis as in the preceeding case. Elizabeth Butler against Joseph Simmes, except the following Petition & Summons, towit:

To the Honourable the Judges of the General Court

The petition of William Butler humbly shews that he is held as a slave by Joseph Eagline of Prince Georges 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. He Therefore prayeth that your honours would take his case into consideration and discharge him from the custody of the aforesaid Joseph Eagline and that summonses may issue for his witnesses and soforth.

G Duvall for petitioner

Upon which petition the following summons was issue to wit.

That State of Maryland Sst To the Sheriff of Prince Georges County Greeting We command you that you summons Joseph Eagline late of Prince Georges County that all excuses and delays set aside he be and appear before the Judges of our General Court to be held at the City of Annapolis on the second Tuesday of May next to answer the petition of William Butler preferred against him for Freedom hereof he is not to fail and fail not at your peril and have you then and there this writ. Witness the Honourable Thomas Johnson Esquire Chief Judge of our said Court the 24 day of November Anno Domini 1790.

Issued the 7th day of December 1790

G Duvall Jno Gwinn Clk

Test John Gwinn Clerk