Last updated: October 24, 2024
Article
Petition to Pennsylvania by Six Free Black People - April 2, 1782
Pennsylvania State Archives, Records of the Supreme Executive Council, 1775-1790, RPRG.
Title: Petition to Pennsylvania by Six Free Black People - April 2, 1782
Date: 1782
Location: Potters Field, now known as Washington Square, 6th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
Object Information: Paper document
Repository: Pennsylvania State Archives, Records of the Supreme Executive Council, 1775-1790, RPRG. The digital version of this document is available online. Use the slider to go to page 663.
Description:
The primary source is an April 2, 1782 petition to the state of Pennsylvania by six free African Americans – James “Oronoco” Dexter, James Black, Samuel Saviel, Cuff Douglas, Aram Prymus, and William Gray – that aimed “to fence in the Negroes Burying ground in the Potters Field.” The Potters Field they were referring to is now Washington Square. The petitioners aimed to prevent the stealing of their dead by medical doctors. Although the state of Pennsylvania ignored the petition, this was one of the first instances of African Americans publicly voicing their concerns in America.
TRANSCRIPT
Date: 1782
Location: Potters Field, now known as Washington Square, 6th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
Object Information: Paper document
Repository: Pennsylvania State Archives, Records of the Supreme Executive Council, 1775-1790, RPRG. The digital version of this document is available online. Use the slider to go to page 663.
Description:
The primary source is an April 2, 1782 petition to the state of Pennsylvania by six free African Americans – James “Oronoco” Dexter, James Black, Samuel Saviel, Cuff Douglas, Aram Prymus, and William Gray – that aimed “to fence in the Negroes Burying ground in the Potters Field.” The Potters Field they were referring to is now Washington Square. The petitioners aimed to prevent the stealing of their dead by medical doctors. Although the state of Pennsylvania ignored the petition, this was one of the first instances of African Americans publicly voicing their concerns in America.
TRANSCRIPT
Philadelphia, April 2d 1782
To his Excellency Governor Moore and his Honourable Counselers
The Humble Petition of The Black people of the City and Suburbs Humbly craveth liberty of your Honours and your protection to Fence in the Negroes Burying ground in the Potters Field and your petitioners will pray.
John Black
Samuel Saviel
Oronoco Dexter
Cuff Douglas
Aram Prymus
William Gray