Commonwealth ex rel. Bell v. Greason

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Tilghman C. J.

Negro Bell was registered by William, Greason, on his oath as being born of his negro slave named Hannah, on the 9th March, 1796. The oath was' taken before William Lyon, deputy clerk of the peace of the county of Cumberland, and the only question is, whether the deputy clerk had power to administer the oath. In all other respects the registry is confessed to be agreeable to the act “ explain and amend the act for the gradual abolition of slavery,” under which it was made. By this act the clerk of the peace is authorised and required to…