Negro Jim v. William Curren, 1792-1806

[fol. ii.]

no Board, and had never went to House Keeping before the untill after that Time, and had no Children, or Family but his said Wife — that this Deponent having finished the Object for which he went to Pennsylvania came sometime in November December 1704 to Fred^k. Town to reside where he[ ] resided for some Time -- That when this Deponent went to Pennsylvania, he had before determined to come to Frederick Town to reside, and he never went to Pennsylvania with an Intention of Residing, but solely for the purpose of putting working [ ] putting the stock of leather aforesaid, in a situation to remove to Fred^k. Town which [ ] when done this Deponent went to Fred^k. Town and & there resided as aforesaid. --

That some time in the latter End of November 1784, Negro Jim the Petitioner ran away from his Master Patterson and came to the House of the said Widower of Robert Flemings deceased where this Deponent with his Wife then lived that this recent Day, the said Nathanel Patterson came to the said Tanyard of Robert deceased

[fol. iii.]

and informed this Deponent that the said negro Jim had ran away, and desired desired the negro to go Home which the Negro refused - - [ ] [ ] He said Patterson then asked this Deponent to purchase the Negro, which this Deponent refused. -- this Patterson then directed this Deponent to give the Negro a time to look for a Master which was done — that from the Time the said Negro first came to the said [ ] Tanyard or the House of Robert deceased (while Deponent lived there) did [ ] ten days -- that the said Negro was not a Tanner, that he was not employed by this Deponent in the Trade & during the Time staid he was only employed off & on to keep him from running away -- -- That about two [ ] Weeks before this Deponent came from Pennsylvania to Fred^k. Town the negro went to his Master Patterson & [ ] when this Deponent went to Mr. Patterson's on his way to Fred^k. Town he found the said Negro there, that when this Deponent Deponent arrived at Pattersons he found

(the)

[fol. iv.]

the negro & this Deponents Brother Joseph loading two loads of Hay, which M^r Patterson this Depo Deponent’s Father in law said intended to give this Deponent and was sending to Fred^k. Town for him — that on the same evening the Deponent purchasd the said Negro from Mr Patterson for the sum of £110. Current Money, and that was the first Time this Deponent ever thought of, or contracted for the purchase of the said Negro or hiring him in any way — that this Deponent this Deponent carried the Negro from M^r Patterson to Frederick Town & afterwards sold him to Hugh Reynolds now deceased.

That this Deponent was wholly ignorant of the said Negroe’s running away from Mr. Patterson, that he was never contracted for him in Pennsylvannia -- that he never bought him running as it is called -- that he bought in Maryland at Mr. Patteron's House, for £110 -- & paid the Money -- That the said Petitioner staid at the house of where this Deponent [ ] lived as aforesaid for the purpose of working the leather aforesaid with

[fol. v.]

the knowledge of his Master Nathaniel Patterson -- [ ] but this Deponent [ ] without his consent. That this Deponent never went to Pennsylvania to live again after the two loads of hay herein before mentioned were taken to Frederick Town for him —

12^th. August 1806. Sworn to in open Court.

Test. W^m Ritchie Clerk

[fol. vi.]

29. 8

Allice Reynolds Ex^x & Wm Reynolds Exu^r of Hugh

filed 12^th. August 1806.

I admit this Deposition to be evidence if the witness is competent

R. B. Taney

{J. H. Thomes}

[recto]

---- Negro Jim ---- } ------ against ------ } Pit. for freedom William Currens }

John Scott of the City of Baltimore Merchant being duly sworn deposeth and saith that some time between the year 1783 and the year 1786 as well as this Deponent recollects he this Deponent lived about one mile from the house of a certain William Nathaniel Patterson and about four or five Miles from the house of a certain Robert Fleming that between the periods aforesaid the said [ ] Nathaniel Patterson lived in the state of Maryland and held the above named Petitioner Negro Jim as a slave, that the said Robert Fleming between the said periods resided in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that during between the periods aforesaid periods aforesaid and which the said Patterson was a resident of the State Maryland and the said Fleming was a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanna the said Patterson informed this Deponent that he had sold the above named Petitioner to the said Robert Fleming for the price of one hundred and two pounds. That shortly after the said Patterson informed this Deponent of the sale aforesaid this Deponent to the best of his recollection saw the petitioner at work in the Tan house of the said Fleming blocking of Leather, that the said Tan house was in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania aforesaid -- This Deponent further states that he was frequently at the house of said Patterson after he saw the petitioner at the home last above mentioned but never afterwards to his recollection saw the said