I’ve been meaning to write about Pleasant Roane for quite a while. I’ve always felt badly that other research and other stories commanded my attention more, and overshadowed his tale. Well, as much of his tale as I’m aware of. It's quite the interesting tale.
I’ve also been surprised that I see to be the only Roane family descendant researching Pleasant. Mine is the only family tree in which he appears. This, in part, probably has to do with the obscurity of his origins. Any Roane would be proud to claim him.
So what prompted my interest? He is one of a handful of my enslaved ancestors who sued for his freedom...and then sued the State of Virginia to be allowed to remain in the state once he was freed.
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://genealogyadventures.net/2017/01/28/pleasant-roane-rowan-and-the-road-to-manumision-in-lynchburg/
