A group of slaves who petitioned the New Hampshire General Assembly for their freedom in 1779 were granted emancipation in April.

• Position: PEOPLE & POLITICS - Brief article

A GROUP OF SLAVES WHO PETITIONED THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GENERAL ASSEMBLY for their freedom in 1779 were granted emancipation in April. Senator Martha Fuller-Clark (D) introduced the bill that posthumously frees 14 male Africans who signed the petition during the Revolutionary War. Six others who had joined them were freed by their owners before their deaths. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. But in the House, Representatives Patricia Higgins (D) and Michael Sylvia (R) initially voted no. Higgins...