Cooley, Mary : Petition to Remain in the Commonwealth, Richmond City

In Richmond Hustings Court, October 10, 1859

On the application of Mary Cooley, a free person of colour, emancipated since the year 1806, who desires 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 on Monday next, to hear and decide on said application.

A Copy Teste, Ro: Howard, clk

Joseph Mayo, P. H. Starke, G. W. H. Tyler George E. Sadler James Bray, B. T. Tinsley J. W. Beveridge N. C. Lipscomb Alfred Inloes John T. Binford R. D. Sanxay C. B. Hill Thomas E. Ballard, William Taylor and Ro M. Burton have been summoned to attend Thomas M. Dudley Sgt.

Aug. & R./

Mary Cooley's application To Monday next

1859 Octo: 17. permission granted.

This is to certify that I have known the bearer Mary Cooley - from my earliest infancy. She belonged to my father and after his death to my Mother whose maid-servant she was untill her death. Mary was born in my fathers family and after the death of her Mistress was allowed to purchase her freedom at a moderate price by the terms of my fathers will or rather to choose her own master at a moderate price. She purchased herself and [presumably?] she has always borne the highest character during her whole life. both in my family and since her freedom to the best of my knowlege and I should myself rejoice if this court would indulge her in permitting her to remain in this State and I doubt if a stronger case for its assembly could be presented. M Wickham Richmond Feb 13/59

James G. Brooks Thos H. Roberts John O Chiles Tho R Price Patrick Cullen MD John Grame Saml M Price & Co E W Tompkins