Justly entitled to the privileges of a free citizen.

by Lisa Y. Henderson

To the Worshipfull the Justices of the County Court of Duplin – The petition of William Duncan begs leave humbly to Represent to your Worships that he is in possession of a Mulatto Slave called Adam who has for a number of years past conducted and demeaned himself as a faithfull, honest, and well deserving Servant. Your petitioner conceives the said Negro Slave Adam from his meritorious Services & good conduct is justly entitled to the privileges of a free Citizen, he therefore prays your Worships will extend to him the Advantages which the Laws of the Country extend to him & as in duty bound will ever pray   B.H. Martin pro petitioner

Petition of Adam a Negro Slave Concurred and Adam Liberated April Term 1798.

This is possibly the Adam Greenfield listed in the 1800 census of Duplin County as the head of a household consisting of two “other free” persons.  In the 1820 census of Wayne County, Adam Greenfield headed a household consisting of two males under age 14, one male aged 14-26, and one male aged 45 or more, 2 females aged 14-26, and one female aged 45 or more.

Petition, Miscellaneous Records, Duplin County Records, North Carolina State Archives.  US Population Schedule.