The petitions filed not only deal with individuals - but also with the local attitudes for and against FPOC. I have posted abstracts - but in the database you can click on the petition # and get details on the names of those people who filed petitions.

In the cases of those who filed for the right of a FPOC to remain - you can get the names of the local whites who were character references.

Loudoun County was split in its attitudes towards FPOC - some wanted them out of the state (mostly poorer whites who saw them as job competition) some fought for them to remain - either out of compassion or economic neccessity to use their services, and others wanted them to be forced to migrate to Liberia.

Loudoun has far fewer petitions than many VA counties.
In the 1860 census Loudoun has 306 listings for black and 256 for mulatto and neighboring Fauquier has 152 mulatto and 132 black.
Accomack, Dinwiddie and Henrico counties have the largest numbers well over 1,000 in each.

Some counties like Boone and Cabell - have almost none. When searching for your families within a state - it is often useful to take a look at overall census figures within the state - to see the distribution of FPOC - and identify communites they could survive in.
I reccommend that you read through the petitions for a particular state, if available - to get an overall picture of the legislative
activity both for and against FPOC, and the results of petitions to stay in the area. I followed one family in Loudoun over a series of petitions - they managed to stay until petitions were no longer necessary - since after 1865 it became a moot point.

PAR #: 11684307
Location: Loudon County, VA • Year: 1843
Abstract: A group of Loudoun County residents argue that it is "a self evident truth, that every man, not convicted of crime, has a natural right to reside in the community where he was born, & that no laws can expel him without violating the principles of justice & humanity." Moreover, with the emigration of white workers from the state, labor performed by free people of color was not only useful but necessary in many instances.
(petitioners all white males - non slaveowners)
NICHOLS, Isaac
NICHOLS, Joshua
TAYLOR, Yardley
PAGE, James
HURT, Jonathan

Petition Result: rejected circa 27 February 1843

PAR #: 11684708
Location: Loudon County, VA • Year: 1847
PAR #: 11684204
Location: Loudon County, VA • Year: 1842
Abstract: Loudoun County residents complain about free people of color remaining in the state more than one year following their emancipation. Anyone informing on them should be rewarded with one half of the proceeds when they are sold as slaves.
BELL, Alfred
SANDERS, W. C.
MARLOW, George
DAWSON, Samuel
WILLIAMS, Charles

(white males - non slave owners)
Petition Result: referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

PAR #: 11684708
Location: Loudon County, VA • Year: 1847

Abstract: Eight residents of Loudoun and Fauquier counties point out that convictions for violating existing residency laws by free blacks "have been of rare occurrence, & that prosecutions have, in consequence, been almost entirely abandoned." "[P]rompt steps" should be taken to "rid the State of this growing fungus." Free blacks should be either sent to Africa, remanded to slavery, or extended "privileges of Complete Citizenship."

POWELL, H. B.
KIRKPATRICK, William
SMITH, Hugh
NOLAND, B. P.
NOLAND, Lloyd

(petitioners all white males and non slave owners