Robert Lawson and 11 Others (Front)
Courtesy of Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, F1027, 1785.
A 1785 petition for land entitled “Blacks of Maugerville”.
The popular story of a Loyalist journey—and “hope restored”—was not the case for Robert Lawson and other “Blacks of Maugerville”.
Transcription:
The humble petition of the underwritten Black men
To His Excellency Thomas Carleton Rgt,
Captain General & Governor in Chief of the Province of New Brunswick etc etc Most humbly showeth
That your petitions came here in the line of refugees, that they were promised land and everything that others were, none of which they have received
They beg leave to represent to Your Excellency that they must be reduced to the greatest distress if something is not done for them. So many of them have wives and large families.
Your petitioners at present dwell in Maugerville and most humbly implores Your Excellency will take their case into consideration, and order that something may be done for them against the ensuing Spring, and they as in duty bound shall ever stay
Feb 25, 1784
Robt Lawson
Cuffee Bird
Ob. Hammond
York Lawrence
Simond Wood
Josph van Riper
Ben. Sith
Sim Pammel
Hen Lion
Wm Hutchinson
Bob Stafford
Danl Carey