Virginia, Dec. 14, 1775.
To the Worship
Magistrate of the County
of Shelburne in General
Sessions of the peace.
The petition of Stephen Blucke in behalf of himself and the other
inhabitants of Birchtown and its neighbourhood.
Humbly Sheweth!
That the inhabitants of Birchtown and its neighbourhood, to the
number of eighty souls and upwards, have been called upon by Colonel
Blucke, the overseer of the read leading to Round Bay to do their
statute labour and have actually turned out and done the same on that
road between Birchtown and Colonel Bluckes lands as will appear to the
court by the annexed certificate.
That the road leading from Birchtown to Shelburne inlet, in
joins Mr. Farish's road is in many places almost impossible for boat
passengers and entirely so for cattle or carriages and the statutes
labour of all the said inhabitants being already expended as above
mentioned that road must remain another year in its present bad status
to the great ijury of the said inhabitants-unless the court are
pleased to afford them some relief.
That from the great number of the said inhabitants upwards of
three hundred souls who for many necessaries depend upon what they can
carry to Shelburne market during the winter season on their backs or
on hand sleighs year petitioner is due to hope the court will think
their situation worthy of their attention.
The therefore humbly prays the court may be pleased to grant
relief in this particular to the said inhabitants by allowing them
five pounds out of the licence duty, to be laid out and before
mentioned under the care and direction of such persons as your worship
shall think proper and petitioner will ever pray-
Birchtown
Stephen
Blucke
6th July 1791
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