The Papers of Roger B. Taney, 1792-1820

Negro Jim v. William Curren, 1792-1806

This case revolves around a Petition for Freedom filed by Negro Jim against William Curren. Curren contended that Jim, an African American slave, had runaway in 1784 from his previous master, Mr. Patterson of Maryland and attempted to assume an identity as a free African American at the household of Robert Fleming in Pennsylvania. Mr. Curren maintained that Jim was never free and should not be granted his freedom because he had no right as a slave to do so under Pennsylvanian law. Deponents include Robert Fleming (nephew of the previously mentioned Robert Fleming), John Scott, Betsy Smith, and Thomas Curren. The depositions were taken from 1792 - 1806.

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Negro Jim the petitioner about the house or farm of said Patterson -- And further this Deponent saith not that this Deponent doth not know the exact time that Robert Fleming resided in Pennsylvannia or when the Deponent saw negroe Jim at work at the said Tan House, and this Deponent cannot say but that it might be before the year 1783. --

That this Deponent doth not know that the said Patterson sold the said negroe to Fleming, except from what the said Patterson himself told him, and that this conversation took place, after the said sale if the sale ever took place --

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

Test. W^m Ritchie Clerk

John Scott's Depo

-- Jim -- } --- vs --- } Dpn Curren }

This Depo: is admitted as Evidence except so far as it contains inadmissable testimony -- the part objected is scored --

A. Shaaft

Last edit almost 2 years ago by RCH in KZ