Talbot v. David

Judge Owsley

delivered the opinion.

This was an action brought by David, a boy of color, against Talbot, for the purpose of recovering his freedom.

Talbot, in his plea, justified, by alledging the boy to be a slave; and issue being thereto joined, a jury was called. On the trial, Talbot introduced evidence proving that David was of African descent, and held by him in bondage.

The counsel for David then produced from a book, called by the clerk of the Scott county court an order book, the following transcript, to wit:—"February court, 1810: "On motion of Jesse Griffith, ordered, that Jack, aged 29…