James Ash v. William H. Williams
The Petition of James Ash to the Honorable the Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Washington
Humbly sheweth that the said James Ash [is] entitled to his freedom, and he hath filed his petition in the Prince George County Court, and State of Maryland; that the said Petitioner is still pending in the said County of Prince George County, that a certain John Grimes hath arrested your petitioner, and now holds him in custody, and hath confined him in the private jail of William H. Williams of the City of Washington.
Your petitioner prays that subpoena may be issued for the said John Grimes and the said William H. Williams, and that your petitioner may have a fair trial of his said petition in your Honorable Court.
Jos H Bradley for Petn.
Read the full case on O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family
- Title
- James Ash v. William H. Williams
- Description
- In this freedom suit, James Ash was freed from enslavement by the Circuit Court of D.C., based on provisions in the will of his former enslaver. She stipulated that her enslaved people were not to be taken out of Maryland or sold. Should either event occur, they were to be declared free for life. Ash's new enslaver appealed the verdict, but it was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
- Excerpted
- Yes
- Date
- 1843
- Subject
- African Americans
- Procedural History
- U.S. Supreme Court; Circuit Court for the District of Columbia
- Document Type
- Court Case
- Document Category
- Primary Source
- Archival Source
- National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 21, Entry 6, Box 617, Folder 25
- Digital Repository
- O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family
- Title
- James Ash v. William H. Williams
- Description
- In this freedom suit, James Ash was freed from enslavement by the Circuit Court of D.C., based on provisions in the will of his former enslaver. She stipulated that her enslaved people were not to be taken out of Maryland or sold. Should either event occur, they were to be declared free for life. Ash's new enslaver appealed the verdict, but it was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
- Excerpted
- Yes
- Date
- 1843
- Subject
- African Americans
- Procedural History
- U.S. Supreme Court; Circuit Court for the District of Columbia
- Document Type
- Court Case
- Document Category
- Primary Source
- Archival Source
- National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 21, Entry 6, Box 617, Folder 25
- Digital Repository
- O Say Can You See: Early Washington, D.C., Law & Family