Source:  General Assembly Session Records.  November - December 1819.  
         Box 3.

To the Honorable The General Assembly of North Carolina
The Petition of Rebecca NEWKIRK Wife of Alexander NEWKIRK of the County of
Duplin Humbly sheweth That circumstances which in themselves are too
painful for her to recount have driven her to this dernier resort praying
that a law may be at your present Session securing to her such property and
effects as she may hereafter acquire in such manner as will effectually 
prevent such property and Effects being subject or liable to the discharge 
or payment of any Debt heretofore contracted or that may be hereafter 
contracted by her said Husband Alexander NEWKIRK. Your Petitioner though 
it wounds her very soul begs leave to state that when and at the time of 
her intermarrying with her said Husband she was worth and in possession of 
a Good Property consisting of Land and Negroes the whole of which has since 
been sold to discharge her said Husband's Debts, leaving a great amount yet 
unpayed & leaving your Petitioner with Three infant children reduced to 
poverty and Wretchedness. While your Petitioner thus entreats The Benevolence 
of the General Assembly as aforesaid she most honestly declares that should 
she hereafter find herself able to discharge her said Husband's Debts without 
sacrificing her property or materially lessening the indispensible comforts 
of her family that she will pay and discharge them justly and honestly.
And your Petitioner is in duty bound will pray.
December 1819.
                                        Rebecca ( her X mark) NEWKIRK

We the undersigned beg leave to add our Names and influence in the behalf of
the above Petitioner being sattisfied that her prayer ought to be granted,
and we do moreover request the Honbl. Members from Duplin to use their 
influence in effecting the same.

December 3rd, 1819.

Joseph T. RHODES
John E. HUSSEY
Nathan WALLER JP
Nicholas HALL JP
Abraham HALL
Robert SOUTHERLAND
David SOUTHERLAND
Sam'l STANFORD
Edw'd PEARSALL JP

Petition of Rebecca NEWKIRK of Duplin County
In Senate Dec. 13th, 1819. Read and refered to the Committee of Propositions
& Grievences
By Order.
Rob't WILLIAMS, CS

In H. Commons 14th Decem'r 1819.  Read and postponed indefinitely.
By Order
HENDERSON, C.H.C.





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