Prior to his trial, conviction, and execution for murder, a slave named Will or William had instituted a suit in "forma pauperis" against his owner, Salley Pegram, "for the recovery of his freedom." The murder case was therefore remanded by the Dinwiddie County Court to the Superior Court where Will was tried as a free man. Pegram claims that, as part of the court decree, Will's value was assessed at $500. However, when Pegram applied to the auditor for compensation on the loss of her slave, the auditor consulted with the Attorney General who decreed that slaves suing for their freedom could not be tried and convicted as slaves; therefore the assessment of Will as a slave was inappropriate and compensation was refused. Pegram claims that, at the time of his death, Will was still her slave and she should therefore be compensated in the amount that Will was assessed.
Result: Bill drawn.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
