<petition><petition_analysis_number>20382305</petition_analysis_number><petition_url>https://dlas.uncg.edu/petitions/petition/20382305</petition_url><state>Delaware</state><county>Kent</county><location_type>County</location_type><file_year>1823</file_year><filing_court>Common Pleas</filing_court><enslaved_count>1</enslaved_count><fpoc_count>0</fpoc_count><total_people_count>6</total_people_count><repository>Delaware State Archives, Dover, Delaware</repository><abstract>Zilla Dixon, a woman of color, states that Edward Stapleford, "her pretended master," holds and detains her as a slave.  Apprehending that "she is entitled to her freedom," Dixon asks the court to summon Stapleford "to answer the Complaint of your Petitioner."</abstract><subjects><subject>Sues for freedom (enslaved)</subject><subject>FPOC sues white</subject><subject>Hiring value (enslaved)</subject></subjects></petition>