John Jones (John Bromfield) document, 1842, recto

To the Honorable N.D Barry Judge,
John Jones alias John
Bromfield states that he was born as he believes on or about middle of November
1816 that he is a free, born person. He states that he was brought from the
State of North Carolina to Tennessee. Fayette County by an individual
to whom he was bound as an apprentice, till he was 21 years of age.

He states that by sale or otherwise he passed among several hands till
by purchase he came to the hands of Richard Clere a tailor by trade for the
purpose of learning the trade. Your Petitioner stated, that said Clere hired
out your petitioner during the years 1837 and 1836 your petitioner states that
he has thereby forfeited all right to the custody of Petitioners person by said
hiring altho he obtained aritcles of indentureship from the County Court
of Fayettte County till petitioner was 21 years of age. Petitioner states that he is
represented inthe said order of the County Court as being about the age of 9 at
that time, and that in April 1831 - which statement that he was about 9 was
wholly false, Petitioner states that he is free born of lawful age, and that he is
illegally under the said rage and false entry made in the County Court held as
a slave - hired out - offered as for sale or put at such kind of labor as may suit the
convenience, or pecuniary interest of said Clere - Your Petitioner prays the writ of Habeus
Corpus that he may be brought up and discharged and would ever pray.
John Bromfield
alias, John Jones

To Richard Clere,
According to the prayer of the annexed Petition you are hereby
required to have before me the within named John Jones alias John Bromfield on
Monday the 15th dday of January 1838 at the Court House in Somerville then and there
to do and receive, whatsoever I may order in the premises, fail not, Valentine D. Barry
Judge of 11th Circuit of Tennessee

A copy of the within petition served on the defendant the 1st January 1838.
John Hedopeth C it C
West H Humphreys, Attorney

January 16th 1838. This day the petitioner being brought before me according to the within
writ and testimony being heard by which it appears that the petitioner in the month of november
1837 arrived at the age of twenty one years, and it being admitted that he is free born. It is there
fore considered that he be discharged from the service and custody of said Clere and go at
liberty and that the said Clere pay the costs of this proceeding.Given under my hand.
this 16 day of January 1838
Valentine D, Barry, Judge of the 11th Circuit of Tennesse.
Sommerville Fayette County, Tennessee

State of Tennesee} J William H Mitchell Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fayette
Fayette County County State of Tennesee do hereby certify that the above is
a true and perfect transcript of the petition of John Jones
alias John Bromfield and the proceedings had therefore which are now on file
in my office. Given under my hand and seal of office. This 17th day of January 1838.
William H Mitchell Clerk