Application for Frank Lytle's Freedom

To The Justices of the County of Randolph in Supeorir Met

Whereas Thomas Lytle Deceased did by his last Will dispose of his Land & Negrows unto us the under Signers

And Wheres a Certain Mulatos man Named Frank being part of Sd Estate and in Considration of the fidelity Meritorious Services & Ingenuity in his Smiths buisniss & in Considation of the Natral rights of man we desire that you may Grant the Sd Fraks Lisenes of Liberty which is the Wish & desire of your petitiones. Catrain Lytle

Wm Bell
John Beard
Sam Millikan

Licenes Granted Agreeable to Law --

To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina Now Sitting

The Humble patition of Catrain Lytle, William Bell, John Beard & Samuel Millikan

Whereas Thomas Lytle deceased by his last will and testament did Give & Bequeath his Land, Negroes, etc. to us your petitioners & we from a knowlede of the Meritorious Services of a Certain malato man Named Frank to his former Master & our own desire to propagate & Support the Natral rights of man --- do humbly pray that you may pass such an act as may Entitle him to such or be Said to Inherite free Land & to be known by the Name of Frank Lytle, we having hertofor appy'd to the County Court of Randolph who Granted him Libert agreeable to act of Assembly which is Certified by the Clerk thereof & your petitioners as in duty bound shall pray.

Randolph County Jan 5th 1795 her Catrain Lytle mark

Wm Bell
John Beard
Sam Millikan

State of North Carolina
Randolph County
November Term 1794 Randolph County m

Catherine Lytle Executrix and William Bell, John Beard and Samuel Millikan Executors of Thomas Lytle decs'd Exhibited a petition to the Court Requesting that a certain mulatto man named Frank formerly the property of the aforesaid Thomas Lytle Decs'd and by the Last Will & Testament of the Deceased now the property of the petitioners be set free for his Meritorious Acts and Good behaviour to his former Master.

I hereby Certify that the Court Granted the prayer of the petitioners and Ordered that the Said Frank be at Liberty Agreeable to the Act of Assembly in that Law made & provided in Testimony Whereof I have affixed the Seal of the County aforesaid this First Monday in November in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety four and in the ninteenth year of the Independence of Said State.

J Harper, Clk. //----//----//----

A Bill to confirm the Rights & Privileges of a certain Mulatto man called Frank, formerly the Property of Thomas Lytle late of Randolph County and to confer on him the name of Frank Lytle.

Whereas the Court of the County of Randolph at their Session held in the month of November last on the petition of Catharine Lytle, William Bell, John Beard & Samuel Millikan, the Executors & Legaters of the last Will & Testament of the said Thomas Lytle deceased, did order that the said Frank should be at liberty agreeably to an act of the

General Assembly in such case made and & provided for meritorious Services done by him for the said Thomas Lytle in his life time; And whereas the said Catherain, William, John & Samuel have petitioned the General Assembly to pass an Act to entitle the said Frank to be called & known by the name of Frank Lytle

Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina; and it is hereby executed by the authority of the same that the said order of the Court of Randolph County aforesaid liberating the said Frank be hereby ratified & confirmed and by virtue thereof be the said Frank by & under the name of Frank Lytle shall be & he is hereby declared to be free; and shall be from henceforth enjoy the protection of the Laws & the benefits of the Constitution of this State in the same manner as others of his colour who were born free to every intent & purpose, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to affect the stake or claim of any person or persons other than the persons herein named.

The bill is contained in a jacket which, at various places, reads:

In House of Commons 13th January 1795 read the first time & passed.

In Senate 14 Jany 1795 read the first time & passed.

In House of Commons 19 Jany 1795 read the Second time & passed.

In Senate 20 Jany 1795 read the second time & passed.

In House of Commons 22d January 1795 read the third time and passed.

In Senate 24 Jany 1795 read the third time, passed & ordered to be Engrossed

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