We have Halifax Personal Property Tax Lists from 1782-1821 so I looked for a Robert Ferrell to see if there was anything that might be of interest. I started with 1817 as you indicated for the receipt. There is a Robert Ferrel listed in the 1817B tax list. I went back to 1813 and forward to 1821. I found a lot of Ferrels but no more listings for a Robert. I just checked the "F" surnames which would be the most logical place for his listing.
That wasn't much help, sorry.
Steve (and Bunny)
Binns Genealogy dot Com
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