HAWKINS COUNTY, TN - COURT - Petition to become a slave for William Miller
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Hawkins Co. Chancery Court Minutes Volume 1, page 181

Wednesday, 28th May 1858, Ben, a man of color, and William Miller

The Petition of Ben to your honor humbly complaining shows that he is a free
person of color, resident within this State and in this county of Hawkins
and is over the age of eighteen years.That he has lived nearly all his life
in said county, has several children, who are slaves residing here, that for
this and other good reasons, he desires to choose an owner and go into
slavery.  And states that there is no valid or legal cause existing why
this, his desires, shall not be put into effect.

That he desires to belong to and become the property of William Miller,
Esq., of said county of Hawkins, and declares in this, there is no good
reason why the desire of your petitioner shall not be granted.

Petitioner therefore prays that order notice and publication be forthwith in
the "independent" a newspaper published in Rogersville where your Honors
court is held.  That summoned issue to appear at the next term of said court
for both your petitioners and the said William Miller, Esq.  That your Honor
make the further necessary examination and such other steps in this case so
that under the provisions of the act of assembly passed March 3rd 1858, your
petitioner shall be dealt with and have the benfit of and be subject to the
several provisions thereof.  So that finally by this procedure, and action
of this court, your petitioner shall by virtue of said court go into
Voluntary Slavery.