I have a very puzzling African-American family history, dating to the late
1860s, which states that in 1780 a free white man had a child with a
mixed-race slave (black, white, and Cherokee) in Virginia.  The history
states that even though the mother was a slave the child was free because
of the mother's Indian blood.  The text states: "His mother being of
Indian descent, made him, under the laws of Virginia, a free born man."
Was there such a law?  In fact, the child in question was always regarded
as free as far as I can tell.

I would appreciate any help.

Henry Wiencek
Charlottesville

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