Prince Edward County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1787, 1814

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Prince Edward County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Prince Edward County (Va.) County Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1787, 1814, consist of two freedom suits. One is an inkjet copy of a freedom suit heard in Pittsylvania County court in 1787 - Deborah Payne versus Walter Guild. Payne used the record of the suit to prove her freedom in Prince Edward County District Court perhaps to receive a free negro certificate. The original is filed with Prince Edward County Free Negro and Slave Records, 1783-1865 (bulk 1801-1864). The second freedom suit titled Maria (alias Murier), a slave, and others versus Mary Moore (alias Molly Moore), 1787, 1814 April. Maria and over thirty of her children and grandchildren sued for their freedom from their owner Mary Moore (alias Molly Moore) on the basis that they were descendants of a Native American on the maternal side. They successfully won their freedom. The suit includes numerous depositions.

Biographical / historical:

Prince Edward County was named in honor of Edward Augustus, a son of Prince Frederick Louis, a grandson of George II, and a younger brother of George III. The county was formed from Amelia County in 1753. The county seat is Farmville.

Slaves could sue for emancipation if they were descendant(s) of a free female ancestor, typically a Native American (Hening Statutes, volume 2, p.170.)

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Prince Edward County.
Physical description:
.010 cu. ft.