We are pleased with him.

by Lisa Y. Henderson

Wayne County Nov 16th 1852

To the Members Comprising both houses of the legislature for the State of North Carolina 1852

We the Undersigned Say to you as our representatives that we have a Coloured person living in Goldsboro whose name is Hilary Croom Ailias Coor who was born of a woman of reputable parentage though his father was reputed to have been a Slave of Colour We know the raising of Sd Croom and his Standing now he is Now of fair Standing he is one of the best blacksmiths we have he was born and raised in our County.  When he grew to be a Man he intermarried with a girl of colour the property of one Graddy Herring.  Soon after their Covenant as man and wife sd Herring Removed to the State of Alabama this Character Croom also moved with sd Herring after remaining there some years the legislature of the State of Alabama past a law that all Colourd person which were free Should leave that State within a certain period of time during this time this Citizen Croom purchased his wife and children of Sd Herring and J.B. Herring one of the Subscribers have seen his bill of Sale which can be produced at any time.  In consequence of which the said Croom returned back to his Native State and his wife and family with proper papers from Sd Herring showing he had purchased his Wife and Children.  When he returned to our State our Legislature had pasd a law to the purpost that all Coloured person which had left this State if They returned Should leave this State or forfeit a large sum. Now we are well acquainted with this man Croom he lived by our town Goldsboro in Wayne County we are pleased with him as a blacksmith we pray that he Sustains a fair industrious character he has [blank] children whose names are Ann Charles Temperance

We the undersignd knowing that under our present laws there are many coloured persons among us of more more bass character Must and does remain with us petition to you as our representative, that you pass and act which will be attended by our friend W.H. Washington that said Hilary Croom be Sufferd to remaine  with us that his above named Children before at their arriving to the age of twenty one years and Enjoy all the rights of Citizenship of their Colour to which we the Undersigned have assigned our names the above date.  Hillory X Croom, Benajah Herring, W.C. Bryan, Wm. Smith, L. Cogdell, Wm. Thompson.

The 1850 census of the South Side of the Neuse River, Wayne County, shows Hillery Croom, 41, blacksmith, with children Annie, 14, Charles, 13, Tempy, 10, and John, 9.  All were described as mulatto.  The 1850 slave schedule shows that Hillery owned two slaves, a 55 year-old woman and a 32 year-old man.