In the papers of the freedom suit of Essex found in Brunswick District Court Judgments and in Virginia Untold, George K. Taylor in 1807 certified that he had obtained the freedom of those named in the will of Joseph Hargrave  (Surry County)in the Petersburg District Court and in the court of appeals. Essex was the son of one of those enslaved by Hargrave who died in 1775/76, Taylor was the atty in the case of Charles v. Hunnicutt (1804) where slaves had also been left prior to 1782 in the care of a Quaker Monthly meeting to be freed when a law should make that possible.  Of course there are missing records, but I cannot find any other reference to a suit involving the individuals held by Hargrave and wonder if the point made by the suit in Charles v Hunnicutt, and which would seem to apply in the Hargrave case may have been what Taylor  was refering to although Taylor does mention the Hargrave case specifically. Would appreciate knowing of any Hargrave case or any thoughts--Mick

______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
https://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html

This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).