Henry was an African American man residing in Perquimans Precinct, North Carolina. First enslaved by Jacob Peterson, when Peterson died in about 1698, Henry's ownership transferred to Mary Peterson and her second husband, James Coles. Henry was still enslaved by the Coles by 1713, when he ran away or self-emancipated himself. According to court records, other people had told Henry that Jacob Peterson had freed him in his will, though the extant copy of Jacob Peterson's will leaves ownership of all enslaved people to his wife Mary. Because Henry had left the property without permission the property, Mary Coles petitioned the local court to punish Henry. If they did so, or if Henry ever returned to the Coles residence, those records have not been located.