Petition #20285101

Abstract

Bob, a man of color, petitions for his freedom citing provisions in the will of his late former owner, Elliott Brown of Virginia. The will stipulated that, upon Brown's death, Bob should serve Elliott Brown's grandson, George A. Brown, until he, Bob, turned twenty-one; at which time he would be freed. George Brown moved to Arkansas where Bob was sold to a succession of owners. He is now in the possession of Isaac Jackson, who insists that he holds Bob as a slave for life. Various related documents cover the depositions of witnesses who address the issues of whether George Brown had warned his first buyer that Bob was not a slave for life, whether or not an instrument of writing to that effect was provided to Jackson, and whether or not such document might still in Jackson's possession. The lower court upheld Bob's claim to freedom by jury verdict. But the case was appealed. In his original petition Bob refers to his late owner as Matthew Brown, but several related documents reveal that Brown's first name was Elliott.

Result: Granted; appealed.

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Citation information

Repository: University of Arkansas at Little Rock, School of Law, Little Rock, Arkansas

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