Isaac v. West's
Supreme Court of Virginia
This was an appeal from a Judgment of the Superior Court of Law for the County of Accomack. The Appellant Isaac, instituted an action in forma pauperis against John G. Joynes, Executor of Abel West, deceased to recover his freedom.
Read the full summary
This was an appeal from a Judgment of the Superior Court of Law for the County of Accomack. The Appellant Isaac, instituted an action in forma pauperis against John G. Joynes, Executor of Abel West, deceased to recover his freedom. The Jury who tried the cause, found a special verdict, as follows: That Abel West, in the year, 1806, was possessed of a negro woman named Jenny, as his slave; that on the 8th April, 1806, he manumitted ihe said Jenny by a Deed in these words, to wit: “Know all men by these presents that I Abel West of Accomack County and State of Virginia, for divers good causes…
1Opinion of the Court
December 18.
JUDGE GREEN.
In April, 1806, Abel West emancipated many of his slaves, by a Deed, which in the same month was duly recorded, upon his acknowledgment. Amongst these was Jenny, the mother of the Appellant, who was born in 1813. West died in 1816. The operative words of the Deed were: “I, Abel West have, and by these presents do manumit, and set free the following negroes at my death; they shall serve me as long as I live, and at my death shall go free from all persons; and I do hereby for mj'self, and my heirs, executors, and administrators relinquish all my right, and title of, in,…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Fulton v. ShawCourt of Appeals of Virginia · 1827