Agnes Calvin } In the District Court A free Negro Woman } Marion County State Exparte } of Texas - May Term, 1863. To the Honorable B. W. Gray Judge of Senior Court The petition of Agnes Calvin Respectfully that she is a free person of African descent and a resident of the County of Marion in the State of Texas, having come to said State from the State of North Carolina on or about the day of May 1860; First her petition shows that she is about thirty five years of age and has two female children, one named Joanna, thirteen years of age, the other named Mary Margrett, nine years of age: Further petitions States that she desires to elect or choose a master for herself and said two children Joanna and Mary Margrett [illegible] to the Statutes in such case made and provided And to that [inserted: and] petitioner makes choice of J.S.H. Hossack to become her Master and the Master of said children, a person of good repute and a resident citizen of the County of Marion aforesaid; [2] In consideration of these premises petitioner prays that a decree may be made and entered in this Court Making the said J.S.H. Hossack the Master and owner of your petitioner And her said two children Joanna and Mary Margrett And your petitioner as duty bound will even pray &c her Agnes X Calvin Mark Signed in the presence of } Wm. [Himins] } W. J. Parker }