He has never been accused of any villainy.

by Lisa Y. Henderson

To the County Court now about to Sit in Perquimans:

The Petition of the Several Subscribers Humbly Sheweth That whereas Samuel Smith a few Years ago Manumitted a Servant Man Named Peter (Whose Mother was an Indian & Father a Negroe) which said Servant Man hath not been taken up nor Sold by the Court; And as he hath hitherto Always been an Orderly Servant & never that we know of bein Accused of any Villany, But on the Contrary Hath done Several Meritorious Actions in Destroying Vermin Such as Bears Wolves wild Cats & Foxes. Therefore we pray that the Court may take it into Consideration & order & adjuge that he may remain Free & unmolested as long as he behaves himself well. And your Petitioner the Several Subscribers, as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray.  April 6th 1782.

/s/ John Smith, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Elliot Sener, Mordecai Elliot, Josiah Sanders, Joseph Sanders, Joseph Elliot, Samuel Elliot, John Goodwin, Jacob Goodwin, Richard Goodwin, Samuel Smith, Joseph Newby, Demcy Elliot, Sam’l Sitterson, Job Smith, William Sanders, Gideon Newby, John Roberts, Jacob Eason, Joshua Sanders, Samuell Williams

Slave Records, Perquimans County Records, North Carolina State Archives.