The Petition of Amy Demsy of Bertie County Spinster most Humbly Sheweth—

That your Petitioner being a Mollatto: born the 14th of October 1723 was by the Vestry & churwardens of the said County according to the Laws of this Province sold for such time untill she should Arrive to the age of thirty one years; and on your Petitioner's being exposed to sale by the sd Church wardens & Vestry as aforesd the Manager's of the Estate of one Mr Nathaniel Duckingfield together with your Petitioners mother purchased your Petitioner for the Sum of thirty pounds Currency; that is to say the said mangers paid twenty pounds and your Petitioners mother Ten pounds Currency of this Province for your Petitioner; beside your Petitioners mother Nursed & raised your Petitioner till she was made to Labour to and do service from which time until now your Petitioner hath faithfully served the said Duckenfield on his Estate or Plantation ^at Bertie County^ this Province your Petitioner being now arrived to the Age of twenty one years & upwards conceives most Humbly conceives she hath served the sd Duckenfield suffcie[nt] to recompence him for the mony he advanced towards Purchasing your Petitioner; Nevertheless so it is may it please your Hons. one Doctr. Samuel Orms who manges the said Nathaniel Duckinfeilds Estate ^at Bertie County aforesd. in the Province aforsd.^ still detains your Petitioner as a servant & gives out in speaches that your Petitioner is obliged to serve the sd Nathaniel untill such time as your Petitioner shall arrive to the age of thirty one years; Wherefore your Petitioner prays that your Honrs. will take your Petitioners cause into your consideration & afford your Petitioner such relief in the premisses as to your Honrs. in your great Wisdom you shall think meet and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c