Ann Williams, Ann Maria Williams, Tobias Williams, & John Williams v. George Miller & George Miller Jr. (1832)
To the Honble the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Washington
The petition of Anne Williams a coloured woman & Ann Maria, Tobias, & John her children humbly sheweth
That your Petrs are free persons unjustly held in bondage & claimed as slaves by a certain George Miller Senr or George Miller Junr of Washington County. Wherefore they pray a sbpa to said Miller's & each of them directed that they may appear & answer hereto & that they may receive such other & further relief as your Honors may allow.
Key & Dunlop for Petrs
Read the full case on O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family
- Title
- Ann Williams, Ann Maria Williams, Tobias Williams, & John Williams v. George Miller & George Miller Jr. (1832)
- Description
- In this successful freedom suit, a mother petitioned for her freedom and that of her three children. While her claim for freedom was not recorded in the documents filed with the court, it was likely on the basis of Maryland's ban on the importation of enslaved people for the purpose of being sold. Ann Williams had been brought into the District of Columbia in 1815 to be sold south to Georgia. In response to the impending sale, 24 year old Ann leapt from the attic of the three-story tavern owned by George Miller. Her arms and back were broken in the fall, and she was purchased by the tavern keeper for $5. The jury in her case rendered a verdict for her freedom and that of her children.
- Excerpted
- Yes
- Date
- 1832
- Subject
- African Americans
- Procedural History
- Circuit Court for the District of Columbia
- Document Type
- Court Case
- Document Category
- Primary Source
- Digital Repository
- O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family
- Title
- Ann Williams, Ann Maria Williams, Tobias Williams, & John Williams v. George Miller & George Miller Jr. (1832)
- Description
- In this successful freedom suit, a mother petitioned for her freedom and that of her three children. While her claim for freedom was not recorded in the documents filed with the court, it was likely on the basis of Maryland's ban on the importation of enslaved people for the purpose of being sold. Ann Williams had been brought into the District of Columbia in 1815 to be sold south to Georgia. In response to the impending sale, 24 year old Ann leapt from the attic of the three-story tavern owned by George Miller. Her arms and back were broken in the fall, and she was purchased by the tavern keeper for $5. The jury in her case rendered a verdict for her freedom and that of her children.
- Excerpted
- Yes
- Date
- 1832
- Subject
- African Americans
- Procedural History
- Circuit Court for the District of Columbia
- Document Type
- Court Case
- Document Category
- Primary Source
- Digital Repository
- O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family