Harris, Sterling : Petition to Remain in the Commonwealth, Richmond City

In Richmond Hustings Court August 14th 1857. On the petition of Sterling Harris a free person of Color emancipated since the year 1806, who desires to obtain permission to remain in this Commonwealth & reside in this City; it is ordered that the justices of this Court be summoned to appear here on tomorrow to hear & decide on said application. A Copy Teste Ro: Howard, clk

Joseph Mayo, Jno L Tate, James Bray, N C Lipscomb A F Picot, P H Stark, George E Sadler, Jas R Fisher J W Beveridge, R M Bruton and R D Sanxay have been summoned by me, the others not found in the city J S Bray D.S. for Thos H Dudley Sgt

Sterling Harris' application Tomorrow 1857 Augt: 12 permission granted to remain in Comth.

The undersigned certify to the Hustings Court of the City of Richmond that they are well acquainted with Sterling Harris, a free man of color, who has made or is making application for permission to remain in the Commonwealth. And they take pleasure in stating that he is a man of remarkably sober, industrious and peacable character, respectful and submissive to white people and entirely moral and upright in his deportment in all respects. Having this knowledge of his character, and believing him to be a person to whom the permission he craves may be properly accorded we unite cordially in his application and trust that his prayer may be granted.

Tho W.y McCance R J Johnson W L & G Donnan

[Kent Paniet C?] Purcell Ladd & C Christian & Leizhugh Stokes & Rives Spotts Harvey & Co [Heup M Fry? illegible] Geo J Palnur J B Ferguson Parker Ninino & Co Vaughan & Kennon John F. Wren

Chas J. Macmurdo Jr Geo F Maynard J N Word Chas [illegible] Nontrasn Wilson & Macon Chas Millerpaugh