TitleCitationYearSummaryMost RelevantTypeStatus
Early v. Early Gilmer 124, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (November 01, 1820) 1820 The court not concurring in opinion with the court of Chancery, that the absolute property of the slave Venus, in the proceedings mentioned, passed to Jabez Early by the will of the father, until he should have attained the age of 50 years, reverses the decree with costs; and remands the case to the said court of Chancery, to be further proceeded... Most Relevant Cases  
Ely v. Thompson 3 A.K.Marsh. 70, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (December 01, 1820) 1820 ON A WRIT OF ERROR TO REVERSE A JUDGMENT OF THE CLARK CIRCUIT COURT. This is an action of trespass, assault, battery and imprisonment, brought by a free person of color, against a justice of the peace and constable, in their individual characters. The justice pleaded his office, and the fact, that the plaintiff had lifted his hand in opposition to... Most Relevant Cases  
Ferguson Tp. Poor Overseers v. Buffaloe Tp. Poor Overseers Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (January 01, 1820) 1820 A slave who has been so defectively registered under the act of 1st March 1780, as to be entitled to his freedom, but who has, nevertheless, continued, until an advanced age, a slave de facto, has a settlement in the township in which his master resides, which is bound to maintain him, until the master can be compelled to take the burden on... Most Relevant Cases  
Flack v. Cunningham 1 Blackf. 107, Supreme Court of Indiana (November 01, 1820) 1820 This was an action of debt on a specialty, to which the defendant below pleaded, first, a want of consideration generally, and concluded to the country; and the plaintiff joined issue. A second plea sets out, that the note in the declaration mentioned was given in consideration of the sale or manumission of a certain black man, or man of color, a... Most Relevant Cases  
Foster v. Cherry 2 Nott & McC. 367, Constitutional Court of Appeals of South Carolina (May 01, 1820) 1820 In an action of trover for certain negroes where they had been formally delivered to the plaintiff and a deed executed to him at the same time for them, he cannot recover, unless he produce the deed or show the loss of it. Where a father had a deed written, of certain negroes, to his children, and he makes a delivery of the negroes, and immediately... Most Relevant Cases  
Goodridge's Adm'r v. Goodridge 2 A.K.Marsh. 269, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (May 31, 1820) 1820 This was an action of detinue for two slaves. The defendant pleaded the general issue, and the statute of limitations. On the trial the defendant asked the instructions of the court upon several points; but the court refused the instructions, and the defendant filed a bill of exceptions purporting to contain the whole evidence. The jury found a... Most Relevant Cases  
Gray v. Reardon 2 Cranch C.C. 219, Circuit Court, District of Columbia (November 01, 1820) 1820 Assumpsit for money had and received to the plaintiff's use. The plaintiff, being in possession of some slaves, empowered the defendant to sell them for him and to pay him the proceeds of the sale. The defendant sold them and received the money, but refused to pay it to the plaintiff, because he alleged that the slaves were the property of one... Most Relevant Cases  
Griffith v. Fanny Gilmer 143, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (December 02, 1820) 1820 A negro held in servitude in Ohio, under a deed executed in Virginia, to a citizen of Virginia, is entitled to freedom by the Constitution of Ohio. FANNY sued GRIFFITH, in forma pauperis, for her freedom, in the Superior court of law for Wood county. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and specially, that Fanny was his slave. At the... Most Relevant Cases  
Gusty v. Diggs 2 Cranch C.C. 210, Circuit Court, District of Columbia (June 01, 1820) 1820 A negro boy, about eight years old, was brought into court by habeas corpus, in the custody of Edward Diggs. It appeared that he had been brought into the city of Washington from Maryland, where he had been bound to Diggs to be taught the business of a farmer. Diggs hired him here to a chimney-sweeper. Most Relevant Cases  
Hamilton v. Wagner 2 A.K.Marsh. 331, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (June 05, 1820) 1820 This was an action of detinue for a slave named Lewis. On the trial of the general issue the plaintiff produced in evidence the following instrument of writing to wit:-- Whereas Abner Hamilton has this day lent to me six hundred dollars, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by me. In order to better secure the payment of the same to him... Most Relevant Cases  
Harkey v. Powell 1 Hawks 17, Supreme Court of North Carolina (June 01, 1820) 1820 said, that the slave mortgaged was delivered into the possession of the Defendant in March, 1789, when the deed was made. By the condition of the deed, the money became payable the 1st March, 1793; from which time to the filing of the bill is a period of twenty-two years and five months. Throughout this long possession, there is no act, no... Most Relevant Cases  
Helm v. Miller 17 Johns. 296, Supreme Court of New York (January 01, 1820) 1820 The plaintiff, who had married an executrix, who was also legatee of all the testator's property, including slaves brought with him into this state from Virginia, sold a slave belonging to the testator, at the time of his decease, and took a note for the consideration money, which he applied to the payment of his own debt. Held, that the sale was... Most Relevant Cases  
Inhabitants of Hallowell v. Inhabitants of Gardiner 1 Greenl. 93, Supreme Judicial Court of Maine (September 01, 1820) 1820 A slave, resident out of his master's family, in a plantation, at the time of its incorporation, gained no settlement by such incorporation. Neither could the wife, nor the minor children of such slave, gain a settlement, in such case, in their own right. By the words all persons in Stat. 1793. ch. 34. in the ninth mode of gaining a... Most Relevant Cases  
Jackson ex dem. Herkimer v. Billinger 18 Johns. 368, Supreme Court of New York (January 01, 1820) 1820 H. by his will, dated April 5, 1771, devised as follows: my will and pleasure is, that my son John shall have the farm which I now live upon, &c. two of the best negroes, all my wearing apparel, three geldings, &c. But if my said son may happen to die unmarried, without lawful issue, then it is my will and pleasure, that the said estate... Most Relevant Cases  
Lloyd v. Monpoey 2 Nott & McC. 446, Constitutional Court of Appeals of South Carolina (May 01, 1820) 1820 It is unusual for the court to grant a new trial on the ground of excessive damages where injuries have been done to property under highly aggravated circumstances; the amount must always be a matter for the sound discretion of a jury. Where in action on the case for beating a negro, evidence of the defendant's character is given, to which no... Most Relevant Cases  
McGrew v. Cato Minor 8, Supreme Court of Alabama (May 01, 1820) 1820 STERLING CATO brought his action of trespass vi et armis, in the Superior Court of Washington county vs. John McGrew and another for killing his slave. Cato died pending the action, and it was revived in the name of his executors. Verdict of Guilty against McGrew, and of Not Guilty as to his co-defendant. Judgment against McGrew, on which he... Most Relevant Cases  
Negro Clara v. Meagher 5 H. & J. 111, Court of Appeals of Maryland (June 01, 1820) 1820 Under the act of Assembly of Delaware of 1797, ch. 124. a deed of manumission, to be valid, must be attested by the subscribing witness, in the presence of the grantor, though it is not necessary that that fact should appear by the certificate of the attestation itself; it may be proved by evidence aliund. APPEAL from Baltimore city court from a... Most Relevant Cases  
Negro William v. Kelly 5 H. & J. 59, Court of Appeals of Maryland (June 01, 1820) 1820 If the personal estate of a deceased, after the payment of his debts, is not sufficient to compensate his widow for her thirds, negroes bequeathed to be free, may be allotted to her as slaves for life. APPEAL from Somerset county court. The appellant, (the petitioner in the court below,) filed his petition against the appellee for his freedom. The... Most Relevant Cases  
Porter v. Armstrong 10 Tenn. 74, Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals of Tennessee (November 01, 1820) 1820 The bill states, that in 1816, Centre was indebted to Allison two thousand dollars; that he, Centre, owned a tract of land in Overton county, and negro Morris, of whom he had had the possession for eight or nine years before. On the 20th of July, 1816, he conveyed the land and negro to Porter in trust, for the use and benefit of Allison; and he was... Most Relevant Cases  
Prior v. Kinney's Ex'rs 6 Munf. 510, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (February 18, 1820) 1820 1. An agreement was made between two unmarried sisters, that the property of the one who should die first, or be first married, should, in either event, belong to the other; in consideration of which agreement, one of them, by a deed of gift executed two days before her marriage, conveyed all her slaves to her said sister, who, after the marriage,... Most Relevant Cases  
Rankin v. Lydia 2 A.K.Marsh. 467, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (October 04, 1820) 1820 ON A WRIT OF ERROR TO REVERSE A JUDGMENT OF THE SHELBY CIRCUIT COURT. This is an action of trespass, assault, battery, and false imprisonment; and the issue is made upon the freedom or slavery of Lydia, the plaintiff in the court below. Lydia was born a slave in Kentucky, in the year 1805, and belonged to John Warrick, a citizen of this state, who... Most Relevant Cases  
Reeler v. Robinson 2 Cranch C.C. 220, Circuit Court, District of Columbia (November 01, 1820) 1820 This was a suit in Alexandria for freedom, grounded upon an importation, twenty four years ago, from Maryland, without the importers taking the oath required by the Virginia law. Most Relevant Cases  
Scott v. Scott's Adm'r 2 A.K.Marsh. 217, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (April 17, 1820) 1820 This was an action on the case. The declaration contains several counts. The first alleges that the defendant's intestate sold to the plaintiffs a slave; and that he undertook and promised that he had good title and lawful right to sell; and avers that the defendant's intestate had no title or right to sell, and that the title of the slave was at... Most Relevant Cases  
SEIZURE FOR ENGAGING IN SLAVE TRADE. 5 U.S. Op. Atty. Gen. 724 (May 19, 1820) 1820   Most Relevant Administrative Decisions & Guidance  
Self's Adm'r v. Tune 6 Munf. 470, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (January 01, 1820) 1820 The appellant in this case claims under Mary Bailey; and the validity of her title depends upon the construction of a Deed of August 4th, 1769, made by Leasure Hall. That Deed gives five slaves, from whom the slaves in question are descended, to his daughter Mary Bailey and her husband William Bailey, for and during their natural lives, or that of... Most Relevant Cases  
Shannon v. Speers 2 A.K.Marsh. 311, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (June 02, 1820) 1820 ON A WRIT OF ERROR TO REVERSE A DECREE OF THE FAYETTE CIRCUIT COURT. This suit was brought in the court below, by Shannon, to redeem two negroes, which he alleges were mortgaged to Speers, to secure the payment of $200. The bill charges that Shannon tendered the payment of the $200, but Speers refused to receive it, and asks a restoration of the... Most Relevant Cases  
Smith v. Smith's Adm'rs 6 Munf. 581, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (March 31, 1820) 1820 1. A deed of gift of slaves to a married woman, to her own special use, and afterwards to her heir or heirs; with a clause providing that, if she shall die without heir or heirs, or without a Will disposing of the said slaves and their increase, they shall return to the donor or his heirs, conveys the property to the... Most Relevant Cases  
State v. Hudnall 2 Nott & McC. 419, Constitutional Court of Appeals of South Carolina (May 01, 1820) 1820 Where a declaration in prohibition set forth, that in the trial of a negro slave, by Justices and freeholders under the act of 1740, unauthorized individuals had tried the slave, and that testimony was received on the trial, in opposition to the rules of the Common Law; to which there was a general demurrer; held, that the plaintiff must have... Most Relevant Cases  
State v. Jones Walker 83, Supreme Court of Mississippi (June 01, 1820) 1820 In the State of Mississippi, murder may be committed by the killing a slave, as well as by the killing a freeman. In some respects, slaves may be considered as chattels, but in other respects they are regarded as men. The ancient laws of Rome, giving power over the life of the slave, never extended here. Slavery exists not by force of the law of... Most Relevant Cases  
State v. Lasselle 1 Blackf. 60, Supreme Court of Indiana (July 01, 1820) 1820 The question before this Court is, as to the legality of Lasselle's claim to hold Polly as his slave. This question has been presented before us with an elaborate research into the origin of our rights and privileges, and their progress until the formation of our State government, in 1816. On one hand, it is contended that, by the ordinance for the... Most Relevant Cases  
State v. Sonnerkalb 2 Nott & McC. 280, Constitutional Court of Appeals of South Carolina (January 01, 1820) 1820 A person, who sells liquor to a negro without license, may be convicted under the act of 1784, for retailing without a license, and under the act of 1817, for trading with a negro without a ticket, for the same act of selling. Most Relevant Cases  
State v. Tackett 1 Hawks 210, Supreme Court of North Carolina (December 01, 1820) 1820 It is competent for one charged with the murder of a slave to give in evidence that the deceased was turbulent; that he was insolent and impudent to white persons. The whole design of the act of 1817, to punish the offence of killing a slave, was to make the homicide of a slave extenuated by a legal provocation, manslaughter, and to... Most Relevant Cases The case or administrative decision is no longer good law for at least one of the points it contains.
Steel v. Cazeaux 8 Mart.(o.s.) 318, Supreme Court of Louisiana (June 01, 1820) 1820 Appeal from the court of the first district. The petition charged that the plaintiff's slave was beaten and wounded by the defendant's, so that he died; that the defendant's slave was tried therefor, and found guilty. Wherefore the plaintiff claimed the sum of 1200 dollars, the value of said slave. The defendant denied all the allegations in the... Most Relevant Cases  
Talbot v. David 2 A.K.Marsh. 603, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (October 24, 1820) 1820 ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGMENT OF THE SCOTT CIRCUIT COURT. This was an action brought by David, a boy of color, against Talbot, for the purpose of recovering his freedom. Talbot, in his plea, justified, by alleging the boy to be a slave; and issue being thereto joined, a jury was called. On the trial, Talbot introduced evidence proving that David was of... Most Relevant Cases  
The Josefa Segunda 18 U.S. 338, Supreme Court of the United States (March 14, 1820) 1820 APPEAL from the District Court of Louisiana. From the proceedings in the Court below, it appeared, that the brig Josefa Segunda being Spanish property, and on a voyage from the coast of Africa to the island of Cuba, with a cargo of negroes, was captured on the 11th day of February, 1818, off Cape Tiberon in St. Domingo, by the Venezuelan privateer,... Most Relevant Cases  
THE SLAVE-TRADE. 1 U.S. Op. Atty. Gen. 334 (February 02, 1820) 1820   Most Relevant Administrative Decisions & Guidance  
Thomas v. Thomas' Adm'r 2 A.K.Marsh. 430, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (October 03, 1820) 1820 ON A WRIT OF ERROR TO REVERSE A JUDGMENT OF THE CLARKE CIRCUIT COURT. This was an action of detinue brought in the circuit court by the appellant to recover a negro man named Harry. The writ emanated the 22d of May, 1818, and the trial was had at the August term, 1819. In the progress of the trial the appellant proved title in the property; and... Most Relevant Cases  
Town of Columbia v. Williams 3 Conn. 467, Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut (October 28, 1820) 1820 A slave set at liberty, within the meaning of the statute, tit. 150. c. 1. s. 11., is one placed in a permanent condition of freedom, over whom the right of the master is extinguished. The town to which a slave belongs, within the meaning of the statute, tit. 150. c. 1. s. 11., is that alone in which he has a legal... Most Relevant Cases  
U S v. La Coste 2 Mason 129, Circuit Court, D Massachusetts (October 01, 1820) 1820 Indictment [against Adolphe La Coste] on the second and third sections of the act of 20th of April, 1818, c. 86 [3 Story's Laws 1698; 3 Stat. 450, c. 91], against the slave trade. There were various counts in the indictment, but that which was principally relied on, was for causing a certain vessel, called the Science, to sail from the port of New... Most Relevant Cases  
U S v. Smith 2 Mason 143, Circuit Court, D Massachusetts (October 01, 1820) 1820 Indictment [against Joseph F. Smith] on the second and third sections of the act of 20th April, 1818, c. 86, against the slave trade. This case was similar in most material respects to the preceding case of U. S. v. La Coste [Case No. 15,548]. A verdict of guilty was brought in by the jury, and motions for a new trial and in arrest of judgment on... Most Relevant Cases  
Viales v. Viales' Syndic 7 Mart.(o.s.) 634, Supreme Court of Louisiana (April 01, 1820) 1820 Appeal from the court of the parish and city of New-Orleans. The plaintiff claimed twenty-three hundred dollars as her dowry. Her husband had not acknowledged the receipt of any part of it, in the marriage contract; her mother had therein declared that it consisted in that sum, viz., $600 her share of her father's estate, $1000 in cash, a slave of... Most Relevant Cases  
Walkup v. Pratt 5 H. & J. 51, Court of Appeals of Maryland (June 01, 1820) 1820 The return to a commission to take testimony out of the state, was held to be well executed, altho' there was no other evidence that the person, who administered the oath to the commissioner, was a justice of the peace, than his own act, and the return of the commission. Hearsay evidence is not admissible to prove the sale of a slave, but is... Most Relevant Cases The case or administrative decision has some negative history, but has not been reversed or overruled.
Wallace v. Frazier 2 Nott & McC. 516, Constitutional Court of Appeals of South Carolina (November 01, 1820) 1820 Where a vendor gives a written warranty of soundness of a negro, which afterwards is found to be unsound, it is immaterial whether the vendee knew of the unsoundness or not; it is a mere matter of contract, and the vendee is entitled to recover the difference between the value of the negro, if sound, and his actual deterioration by the unsoundness.... Most Relevant Cases  
Williamson v. Farley Gilmer 15, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (April 07, 1820) 1820 A vendor's retaining possession of slaves, for which an absolute bill of sale is given, is per se fraudulent. WILLIAMSON brought detinue against Farley, for the recovery of certain slaves. At the trial, he offered in evidence, a deed of trust executed by Jacobus Christopher, conveying the slaves in controversy to Williamson, in trust to secure a... Most Relevant Cases  
Alexander v. Stokeley Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (January 01, 1821) 1821 Nance was born after her mother became a free woman on account of the defect in the registry, as was decided in the action brought by her mother against Susanna Stokely; and the question is, whether Susanna Stokely is estopped by this judgment, from now averring, contrary to the title thus found, that Milley was her slave. I do not propose the... Most Relevant Cases  
Allen v. Scurry 9 Tenn. 36, Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals of Tennessee (January 01, 1821) 1821 The single question presented by this record, is, whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover the slave in controversy, by virtue of his purchase from Hamilton, or in other words, whether the remainder of a slave, after an estate for life therein, can be sold by execution during the continuance of the life estate. No case has been shown on the... Most Relevant Cases  
Austin's Ex'r v. Jones Gilmer 341, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (June 19, 1821) 1821 In detinue, the jury having found for the plaintiff the slave mentioned &c; but that she had died since the suit was brought, the court must nevertheless give judgment for the slave or for her value; the death not being put in issue by plea puis darrein continuance. AUSTIN'S executor brought detinue against Jones, for several negro slaves by name,... Most Relevant Cases  
Backhouse v. Jett 1 Brock 500, Circuit Court, D Virginia (May 01, 1821) 1821 In equity. On the 10th day of June, 1783, Thomas Jett, of the county of Westmoreland, Virginia, made a deed of gift of one half of all his lands in fee simple, and twenty-one slaves, which are mentioned in the deed by name, and also a moiety of all his other personal property of every kind, whatsoever, to his only son, William Storke Jett, for his... Most Relevant Cases  
Barnett v. Powell Litt.Sel.Cas. 409, Court of Appeals of Kentucky (October 17, 1821) 1821 FROM THE HENRY CIRCUIT COURT, THE HON. HENRY DAVIDGE, SOLE JUDGE. This is an action brought to recover the penalty imposed by an act of assembly. The declaration alleges, that the plaintiff on the 15th of November, 1818, and some time before, and ever since, was, and is the owner of one negro man slave, by the name of Peter, and whilst he... Most Relevant Cases  
Barnett v. Sam Gilmer 232, Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (April 07, 1821) 1821 The act of 1792 requiring persons removing to Virginia with slaves, to observe certain formalities, has no application to a citizen of Virginia, removing to another state with slaves; and returning with them to Virginia, before the repeal of the law. THIS was a suit for freedom in forma pauperis, by Sam. The following case was made by a demurrer to... Most Relevant Cases  
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