Snead v. David

Judge Marshall

delivered the Opinion of the Court.

This action of trespass was brought by David, a man of color, to assert his freedom, under the will of Charles Wilkins, his former owner.

The will was proved and admitted to record in 1827, and in express terms emancipates David and other slaves of the testator.

The defendant, Snead, relied upon a bill of sale executed by the acting executors of Wilkins, within a few months after the probate of the will, by which they sell and warrant David as a slave for life, under the apprehension, as the writing states, that the estate of said Wilkins would…