1828-007: Tom Butcher vs. Rice, etc.:

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Tom Butcher was to be freed at 21 years of age by a manumission from Joshua Smith. After Mr. Smith died, his son-in-law, Josiah Askew, received Tom as part of his share in the division of Mr. Smith's estate. Tom was 14 years old when Josiah Askew transported him to North Carolina. Tom was sold a number of times and ended up enslaved by Mr. Rice of Chester District, S.C. Tom fled to Dinwiddie County, Va., to get his free papers. He was arrested in Pittsylvania County. Samuel M. Lovell wrote to Austin Billups of Dinwiddie County asking him to send money to Tom to pay the prison charges and obtain his freedom papers.

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