On 19 March 1795, a bill of complaint was filed by orators and oratrices Gabriel Purkins, John Purkins, Caty Purkins, Thos Purkins, John Armstrong and Sally his wife, Philemon Purkins, Gideon Purkins, and Polly Purkins, Cary Purkins and Young Dimake Purkins infants under 21 by Gabriel Purkins their next friend and Wm Purkins, Henry Purkins and Fleming Ransone and Elizabeth his wife. That some short time before the marriage of Henry Purkins the father of your orators and oratrices Gabriel, John, Caty, Thomas, Sally, Philemon, Gideon, Polly, Cary, Young Dimake, Wm, Henry, and Elizabeth with Mary Greenhill with widow of James P. Greenhill who was the daughter of Wm Dunn now deceased, that Wm Dunn promised to give to the said Henry Purkins in consideration of marriage a negro sirl slave Hannah, which he did. That Henry’s will was written 2 June 1780 and proved 17 July 1780. Your orators and oratrices Wm, Henry and Elizabeth Ransome are by a previous marriage of Henry’s. Gabriel, John, Caty, Thos, Polly Armstrong, Philemon, Gideon, Polly, Cary, and Young Dimake are children of Henry and Mary. That Henry Dunn is the brother of Mary. Gideon Ship married Alice Emmerson, the widow of James Emmerson her first husband; she is a sister of Henry Dunn. The heirs of Alice and James are John Emmerson, Wm Emmerson, Peggy Emmerson, Wm Philips and Elizabeth his wife who was Elizabeth Emmerson. Gideon and Alice had Alice, Katy, Thos and Ann, infants. That the other heirs of William Dunn are trying to reclaim the slave. Filed 19 March 1795, Purkins vs. Dunn &c. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 11, item 11-A-19.]