The Petition of Thomas Saint who is one of the People Called Quakers, Sheweth: that some ^time^ in the year 1771. He purchased of one Arthur Bryant who had Purchased at the Sale of the State of John Weaver, formerly Sheriff of Dobbs County a Tract of Land Containing Seven hundred acres which your Petitioner has Since been informed the said John Weaver had entered in the Earl of Granvilles office and had the land Surveyed, but did not obtain a Deed for the same, oweing as your ^Petitioner^ is informed, to the said Earls office being Shut up, that your Petitioner Receiv'd this information in time for him to have applyed to the entry Takers office to have Reentered the said Land which he would willingly have done, but he was also informed that he must Previous to his being allowed to make such Entry make a Particular Declaration of Fedility to the State, as Directed by act of assembly, this Declaration after due Consideration He cannot, consistant with the Dictates of his Conscience Subscribe to, of which he has made no Scruple to make his Neighbours acquainted with and some of them being Covetous and being avariciously inclined have entered and one Benjamin Sharrard has actually Surveyed a part of your Petitioners Land purchased as aforesaid, your Petitioner Considering in ^the^ Justice of the General ^Assembly^ and assuring them that he is Ready to give any Test of his Supporting the State as a Subject, which he can Consistant with his Principles. Hopes that you will be pleased to direct the Grant to the aforesaid Benjamin Sharrard for so much of his Survey as he has made within your said Petitioners lines to be Stayed and not issued and that your Petitioners may be allowed to enter and obtain a Grant for his said purchase.