Commonwealth v. Blaine
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
To a habeas corpus to the defendant, to bring before the court the body of a negro named John, she made the following return: “ In obedience to the command of this writ I do return to this honorable court, that I have the body of negro John, the person within named, now before the court in safe and secure custody; and that the cause of his detainer is, that be is my servant to the age of twenty-eight years, duly registered according to the several acts of assembly for the…
Read the full summary
To a habeas corpus to the defendant, to bring before the court the body of a negro named John, she made the following return: “ In obedience to the command of this writ I do return to this honorable court, that I have the body of negro John, the person within named, now before the court in safe and secure custody; and that the cause of his detainer is, that be is my servant to the age of twenty-eight years, duly registered according to the several acts of assembly for the gradual abolition of slavery, and that he is not yet arrived to the age of twenty-eight years. So answers Sarah E. Blaine.…
1Opinion of the Court
Tilghman C. J.
Mrs. Blaine has returned to the habeas corpus in this case, that she detains negro John, as a servant until the age of twenty-eight years. It appears that she registered him in pursuance of the act of 29th March 1788 ; but it is contended on the part of the negro, that the registry was illegal and void, and consequently he is entitled to immediate freedom. The act directs, that an entry shall be made in the book of the clerk of the peace of the county in which the master or mistress lives, within six months next after the birth of the child, in which entry shall be mentioned,…
2Cited by4 opinions
- State v. HodgeSupreme Court of New Hampshire · 1869
- Hillary v. PollockSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1850
- Commonwealth ex rel. Crispin v. JonesSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1817
- Parker v. LuffboroughSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1823