1853-011: Unis alias Eunice, an enslaved person, etc. vs. Admrs of James Charlton etc.; Phillis, an enslaved person, etc. vs. Admrs of James Charlton etc.; Randall, an enslaved person, vs. John Swope; Rhoda Ann, an enslaved person, vs. Admrs of William Currin

Scope and content:

A series of freedom suits which were all heard together. The causes hinged on descent from a common ancestor, named Flora, as well as an enslaved person, who was "carried off from Massachusetts," freed in Connecticut, then sold illegally into slavery from New York. The cases include a letter from the clerk of Roanoke County which said he felt some of the papers in the causes may have been deliberately mislaid. The plaintiffs do not seem to have achieved their freedom.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Montgomery County Circuit Court
55 East Main Street, Suite 1
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 382-5760