Agnes : Freedom Suit, Richmond City

Papers relative to sundry negroes taken from Thomas Moore upon suppositon of their being free and detained until evidence can be obt'd to asscertain their right to freedom

2nd Janary 1806 notice given to Wm. B. Page & James Page Watson Gentry for James Whitelaw Sgt

James Craig James Craig CC

Copy. Richmond, State of Virginia Sept. 20th, 1805. Mr. Thomas Bailey Sir We the undersigned magistrates of the City of Richmond, were yesterday informed that Mr. Thomas Moore of the State of North Carolina had in his possession in this City a number of negroes said to be purchased in the State of Maryland, and that some of them claimed and were entitled to their freedom. We immediately proceeded to enquire into the fact, and upon examination found there were among them the following who claim their freedom Viz- Agness a woman about 60 years old, Milly daughter of Agness about 29 years old, Frank a boy, Jenny a girl, Mary a girl, Sam a boy, and Perry a boy an infant at the breast, the last five being children of Milly- also Leah a girl about 16 years old. These Negroes by a bill of sale produced by Mr. Moore appear to have been purchased by him of one Levin Lewis who is said to reside in the County of Dorset on the Eastern Shore of the State of Maryland. Agness, Milly and Leah state that Mr. Thomas Bailey was some years ago employed in prosecuting a suit or suits in Virginia & Maryland for recovery of their freedom, and that their master Lewis gave bond & security for their fothcoming in order to maintain the prosecution of the suit. They further state that Mr. Levin Winder an attorney of Somerset County, Mr. Thomas Hicks of Dorset County, and Judge William Poke of Somerset County were either engaged in their behalf or had cognizance of the matter - the

The latter (as they termed it) was presiding Judge. Agness further states that her grandmother was an Indian, and that she (Agness) & family came into the possession of Mr. Levin Lewis by marriage with her mistress. Miss or Mrs. Rachael Major. In short, the account they give of themselves and of their pretensions to freedom is so consistent & rational that we have deemed it proper to detain them until due inquiry can be made respecting their right to freedom - and have this day bound Mr. Moore over in the sum of $2,100 with sufficient security in the like sum for the forthcomiing of said Negroes as to us shall seem proper or to the future order of our Hustings Court. We therefore request that you will confer with the gentlemen before mentioned and take such steps as may lead to a proper investigation and cause us to be officially informed about the affair with the least possible delay. We are Sir Very Respectfully yr. obt. [illegible] servts. Et AF Shore Wm. Richardson P.S. Leah, the last named in the list, pretends to no connection with the others; & gives a less satisfactory account of her pretensions to freedom. -- but says a suit is depending in behalf of a set of which she is one

A Copy of the foregoing to Judge William Poke Lewis Winder, and Thomas Hicks - the whole inclosed to Thomas Bailey Esq. Accomac Co. Cthouse on 23d Sept 1805. postage paid 51 cents. ARS