Dodson, Manuel : Petition to Remain in the Commonwealth, Richmond City

Richmond July 8, 1834 The bearer Manuel lived with us for five Years, is a negro of good habits, & is very honest, humble, obedient, sober & Industrious Sutton Winslow

Manuel Dodson Papers 1855. Jany. 12- Permission granted to remain in Commonwealth

To the Hustings Court of Richmond City The undersigned being informed that Manuel Dodson a free man of Color designs to apply to the Hustings Court of the City of Richmond, for permission to remain in the Commonwealth, do hereby respectfully request, that such permission may be granted. They have been acquainted with Manuel, for several years and consider him a good Citizen. His habits are good, and they believe few of his Class are more honest, humble, obedient, sober and industrious, peaceable & orderly He is useful in the Deportment of business in which he has been employed in Richmond. And it is hoped that he may be allowed to remain in a Community to which he seems much attached Given under our hands this 8th of November, 1854 Thomas N. Dudley E T Winston & Co Wm. T. Johnston Bennett & Bell Jos Mc Johnston Winston & Jones D [Overton?] S. McGruder & Sons Thos. F Butler James T Butler & Co H. T. Paine Wade W Wooldridge Jos P. Winston Henry R Jones Wm. H. Powers David J Burr Geo R. Peake certifies as to Manuels [conduct?] [illegible] good as a Slave and has this [illegible] confidence that the City will lose nothing by granting his permission Thomas B Carter J H Claiborne Thomas W Doswell Andrew E. Ellett Wilson P [Rozell?] James Ellett Tinsley [Thrift?] Chas R Allen Tom Lew & Taylor Jas Winston

Th. Pollard Jas. A. Goddin William Palmer G W Yages Wm. W. Bradley H T Walthall G. W. Sutton H S Keppler Robert Hill E B Luck C. J. Sinton William Lewis Ratcliffe & Douglass J H Walker Elam A Moore Charles W. Oley Benja. Pollard R. R. Howeson Alvey & Lipscomb M. Bates Wm. M. Clarke R. M. Nimms E. G. Clay

In Richmond Hustings Court January 9th 1855. On the motion of Emanuel Dodson, a free negro, emancipated since 1806 who denies to obtain permission to remain in this commonwealth and reside in this city, it is ordered that the Justices of this court, be summoned to attend here tomorrow, to hear and decide on said application A Copy Teste Ro: Howard, Clk.