Cases | Participants | Court Sessions | Timeline
Essex County Massachusetts Freedom Case Participants 1760 - 1783
Plaintiffs | Defendants | Plaintiff Attorneys | Appeal Attorneys for Originial Plaintiff | Attorneys for Defendants | Appeal Attorneys for Original Defendants | Attorneys - Unspecified | ECCP Judges | SCJ Chief Justices | SCJ Associate Justices | Town Lists
- John Adams
- Graduates Harvard 1755. Studied law under James Putnam. 1758 Admitted to Suffolk County Bar.1762 Elevated to Barrister. 1764 Marries Abigail Smith. June 1766 Observes Slew vs. Whipple. May 1768 Attorney for Defendant in Margaret vs. Muzzy. September 1768 Attorney for Defendant in Newport vs. Billing. June 1770 elected to MA legislature. October 1770 Attorney for defendants in Boston Massacre Trial. May 1771 Attorney for defendant in Watson vs. Caesar. June 1772 Attorney for Defendant in Casar vs. Taylor (last case involving slavery.) 1774 Elected delegate to First Continental Congress. 1775 Elected delegate to Second Continental Congress. 1778 Leaves for France as diplomat. October 1779 returns to Boston, drafts MA constitution. November 1779 Salils to Europe to negotiate with France and England. October 1783 Signs Treaty of Paris. 1783 Returns to Braintree. 1789 Elected Vice President of the U.S. 1797 - 1801 President of the United States. 1826 Dies.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Observer
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for original Defendant on Appeal
- Adventurer Newburyport
- Negro man. Laborer.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Plaintiff
- Benjamin Ames
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Joseph Appleton Esq.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Inferior Court Justice
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Inferior Court Justice
- Jacob Ashton
- Caleb Balch Beverly
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- James Ballard
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Josiah Batchelder Jr. Beverly
- Father-in-law of Caleb Dodge
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Defendant
- David Bayley
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- John Beverly Andover
- Youngest son, enlisted in the 1760 War and lost both feet due to frostbite. Frequent petitioner for relief from town and state. Andover Selectmen in 1775 advertised against trusting him.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- James Bolt Salem
- Owns shop in Salem. Buys and sells skins.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony uncertain
- Booso Andover
- Negro man. Labourer.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Plaintiff
- Thomas Bragg
- Moody Bridges Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Defendant
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Defendant
- Bristol Andover
- Negro Laborer
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Plaintiff
- Nathan Brown Gentleman Salem
- Born in Newbury, 1713, still owned house and land in Newburyport at death in Salem in 1778.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- William Browne Esq Salem
- WILLIAM BROWNE (1737-1802). Harvard 1755. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v., but never practiced. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Briefly Collector of the Port of Salem, 1764, but dismissed, apparently in scandal over counterfeit clearances. Represented Salem in the House, 1762-1768. One of the seventeen "Rescinders" who voted to withdraw resolutions protesting the Townshend Acts, 1768. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1770-1774. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Appointed Judge of the Superior Court and a Mandamus Councilor, 1774. Took refuge in Boston. In 1776 sailed for England. Proscribed, 1778. Governor of Bermuda, 178 1-178 8. 13 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 551-560.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- John Bryant Lynn
- Owned about 175 acres in Lynn and Reading at death in 1796.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Stephen Buxton Yeoman Reading
- On 1771 Voting Rolls for Reading, MA.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Defendant
- Casar Andover
- Leather Dresser. Denied marriage to Tamar of Danvers, April 15, 1769.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Plaintiff
- Thomas Chadwick Danvers
- Trader. Former owner of Timon.
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Philemon Chandler Andover
- Father was a blacksmith.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Arbitrator
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony uncertain
- Samuel Chickering Andover
- Currier. Owner of Booso.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Defendant
- Honorable John Choate Esq
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
- Ezekiel Cooper Danvers
- Attended ECCP Sept 1771 and SCJ June 1772 at Casar vs Taylor
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Hannah Cooper Danvers
- Summonsed to ECCP Sept 1771 for Casar vs Taylor, no record of attendance. Wife of Ezekiel Cooper
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- Honorable Caleb Cushing Esq. Salisbury
- Magistrate in Salisbury for fifty years. Member of Governor's Council 1771 - 1774. Quartermaster in Essex Regiment. Delegate in 1778 to constitutional convention, Served in provincial congress.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Inferior Court Justice
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Inferior Court Justice
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Inferior Court Justice
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Inferior Court Justice
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Inferior Court Justice
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Inferior Court Justice
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Inferior Court Justice
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Inferior Court Justice
- John Cushing Esq. Salem
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Associate Judge
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
- Honorable William Cushing Esq.
- WILLIAM CUSHING (1732-1810). Harvard 1751. Studied law with Jeremiah Gridley, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Feb. 1758; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Scituate from 1755 to 1760 and in Pownalborough (now Dresden, Maine) from 1760 to 1772, serving not only as Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, Register of Deeds, and Judge of Probate, but as general counsel of the Kennebec Company during the latter period. In [January 15] 1772 appointed Judge of the Superior Court, a post held by his father John Cushing, q. v.) and grandfather John Cushing, 1662-1737) before him. Only royal judge to be appointed to the Superior Court established by the Revolutionary Council in 1775. Presided at its first sessions and succeeded JA as Chief Justice of Massachusetts in 1777, serving until 1789.[Presided over Quock Walker Case as Chief Justice.] A member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779 and vice president of the state Ratification Convention in 1788. Appointed first Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1789, serving until his death. Appointed Chief Justice in 1796, but resigned the commission after a week for reasons of health. 13 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 26-39.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
- Ezra Damon Reading
- Enrolled as voter in Second Parish, Reading in 1771. Left two farms worth $3500.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Defendant
- Joseph Dana
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Deacon Solomon Dodge
- Owner of Ned Lewis. Later, co-signed bond of guardianship under John Lowell, attorney.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Defendant
- Caleb Dodge Beverly
- Hannah Dodge Beverly
- Maiden Name was Rayment.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Lydia Dyer Robbins Boston
- Mother of Violet Cudjo, Grandmother of Edward Lewis
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Witness on Signed Document for Plaintiff
- Daniel Farnham Esq. Newburyport
- DANIEL FARNHAM ( 1719-1776). Harvard 173 9. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Nov. 1745; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Newburyport. Appointed Attorney General for York Co., 1744; Justice of the Peace, Essex Co., 1752. Loyalist in sympathy, but did not go into exile. 10 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 364-366.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Attorney for Defendant
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Attorney for original Defendant on Appeal
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Attorney for Defendant
- Captain John Farnum Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Arbitrator
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Arbitrator
- Moses Farnum
- Joshua Felt Andover
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- John Flint Middleton
- Owner of Primus who was summonsed for ECCP and SCJ Nov. 1771.
- John Foster Andover
- Not clear which John Foster in Andover this is. Testimony is that owned a house but refused to sell to Casar and James Turner in 1768.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony uncertain
- Charles Freeman Newburyport
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Witness on Signed Document for Plaintiff
- Scipio Freeman
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Plaintiff
- Peter Frye Esq. Andover
- Peter Frye, appointed [to the ECCP] January 15, 1772, was born in Andover in 1723 and graduated at Harvard in 17 44. He removed to Salem and taught school, and was also Colonel in the Militia and Register of Probate for Essex County from September 29, 1773, to the Revolution. He remained on the bench until the Revolution and being a Loyalist went to England where he died in 1820. Davis, History of Judiciary in Massachusetts
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Inferior Court Justice
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Inferior Court Justice
- Timothy Fuller Gentleman Middleton
- Slave owner, reputedly of 40 slaves. Bought Casar as 12 year old from "Guinea", speaking no English. Bound out to Taylor and later sold to Hircom.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Supported Bond for SCJ Appeal
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Witness for original Plaintiff
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Oral testimony for Plaintiff
- Charles Furbush Yeoman Andover
- Accused of currency forgery in 1771 along with his "Negro servant" Cesar (see Suffolk Files #132111 and #132112). Captain in Colonel Bridge's Regiment at Bunker Hill, 1775. Three sons died of illness in 1788. Acquired Pomp at 16 years old. Mistreated him and in 1795, Pomp murdered him. Pomp was publicly executed in Ipswich, the last public execution in Massachusetts.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Tamar Graves Andover
- Marriage to Casar denied by Taylor when both Casar and Tamer were Danvers residents April 15 1769. Identified as Indian woman. SCJ June Courrt refused testimony as Casar's wife. Lived as man and wife with Casar using last name of Dole in Andover and two children until her death at 76 years old in 1816.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Witness for original Plaintiff
- Jonathan Greenleaf
- Benjamin Greenleaf Esq.
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Inferior Court Justice
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Inferior Court Justice
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Inferior Court Justice
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Inferior Court Justice
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Inferior Court Justice
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Inferior Court Justice
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Inferior Court Justice
- Richard Greenleaf Newburyport
- Jeremiah Gridley Boston
- JEREMIAH GRIDLEY (1702-1767). Harvard 1725. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Feb. 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. (Sometimes called Jeremy.) The leading lawyer of his time. Many of the outstanding lawyers of the next generation studied under him, including William Cushing, James Otis, Benjamin Prat, and Oxenbridge Thacher, qq.v. Others, notably JA, were deeply influenced by his knowledge of the law. Founder of the "sodality," a legal discussion group in which JA participated, 1765. Broadly interested in literary matters as well, founding the Weekly Rehearsal (1731) and (with others) the American Magazine (1743). Appointed Justice of the Peace and of tl1e Quorum, 1746. Represented Brookline in the House frequently, 1755-1767. Appointed Attorney General, 1767. Represented the Crown in the argument on writs of assistance in 1761 (No. 44), but appeared with JA before the Council in 1765 to argue on behalf of the merchants of Boston that the courts be opened during the Stamp Act crisis. 7 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 5 18-53 o .
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Attorney for original Defendant on Appeal
- James Griffen
- Benjamin Guilford Andover
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Daniel Hale Gentleman Newbury
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Defendant
- Cloe Hale Newbury
- Negro woman. Singlewoman.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Plaintiff
- Nathaniel Hale Newbury
- Housejoiner.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Defendant
- Moses Hart Gentleman Lynn
- Born 2-15-1727/8. Served in army, promoted to Captain 1758-1762. Married Lydia Fuller (1740-1766), on 12-5-1762. Daughter Lydia b. 10-7-1763. Wife died 1766. Father died 1774. Served as Captain in Siege of Boston but court-martialed in Sept. 1775 for stealing provisions and abusing his men.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Johnathan Hart Beverly
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Casar Hendrick Newburyport
- "Molatto man." Labourer. Baptised in First Presbyterian Church Newburyport. Had two children with Susannah - Elizabeth b. May 1, 1775 and Josiah b. July 2, 1777 d. May 1801, both listed under family name not under "Negroes".
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Plaintiff
- Sarah Herrick Beverly
- Maiden name was Rayment.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Stephen Higginson
- Edward Hircom Gentleman Reading
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Jonathan Holt Jr. Andover
- Probably Jonathan Jr. born in Andover in 1728, died 1792. Yeoman.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony uncertain
- Samuel Holton Physician Danvers
- Physcian, Elected Danvers Rep. to General Court 1768. ECCP Judge 1776 - 1808. Justice General Sessions of the Peace 35 years. JP for 15 years. Seved in Congress two years. Citation: "History of the town of Danvers, from its early settlement to the year 1848." Hanson, John Wesley, 1848.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Arbitrator
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Inferior Court Justice
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Inferior Court Justice
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Mark Howe Ipswich
- Violet vs. Mark Howe (1766) Defendant
- Foster Hutchinson Esq.
- Born in Boston September 9, 1724 to Colonel Thomas and Sarah (Foster) Hutchinson. Graduated Harvard 1743. Maried Margaret Mascarene in 1750. Brother to Thomas Hutchinson. April 1758 appointed to Suffolk CCP. Appointed March 1771 to SCJ. Supported by merchants but not other lawyers. Not viewed as a worthy target by Whigs. Drew half salary from Province but under pressure agreed not to take other half from Crown.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
- Josiah Hutchinson Husbandman Middleton
- Born in Salem, married to Sarah Dean of Salem, died 1782 intestate in Middleton.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- Honorable Thomas Hutchinson Esq. Boston
- THOMAS HUTCHINSON (1711-1780). Harvard 1727. Had no formal legal training. The most important figure on the loyalist side in pre-Revolutionary Massachusetts. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1740. Served in the House, 1739-1749, and on the Council, 1749-1766. Expert on provincial currency and credit. Lieutenant Governor, 1758-1771, serving as acting Governor from 1769 until his appointment as Governor in 177 1. Chief Justice, 1760-1771 (did not sit after 1769). Also served as judge of the uffolk Inferior Court, 1752-1758, and as Suffolk County Judge of Probate, 1752-1769. As judge and Governor, involved in the major political events of the period, including the arguments on writs of assistance (No. 44), the Stamp Act crisis, the Boston Massacre (Nos. 63, 64), the burning of the Gaspee, and the Boston Tea Party. Called to England in r 774 and relieved as Governor; never returned to Massachu- etts. Author of History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts Bay, a thoughtful and scholarly work, of principal value for its account of his own administration (first published in 3 vols., 1764-1828; ed. Lawrence ,haw Mayo, Cambridge, Mass., 1936, 3 vols.). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 149-215.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Chief Justice
- Jude Newbury
- Molatto Singlewoman "free woman born"
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Plaintiff
- Juno Beverly
- Mother was a "North Carolina Indian" purchased in Portsmouth New Hampshire by Captain Henry Herrick of Beverly. Later willed to Herrick's daughter Mary Larcom wife of David Larcom. Married Jethro Thistle in 1751 and had eleven children. After Larcom's death, returned to Larcom's household but "claimed her freedom" for herself and her children.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Plaintiff
- Kate Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Plaintiff
- Moses Kelly
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Benjamin Kent
- BENJAMIN KENT (1708-1788). Harvard 1727. Admitted attorney, J, ca. 1739; barrister, Aug. 1762. Began career as a Congregational minister. Dismissed by an ecclesiastical council after a heresy trial in 1735, but won a lengthy civil suit for his back salary in 1737. A Son of Liberty and correspondent of John Wilkes. Appointed state Attorney General, 1776. Served as Attorney General for Suffolk Co., 1777-1785. Under the influence of his loyalist son-in-law, Sampson Salter Blowers, q.v., joined family in Halifax in 1785. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 220-230.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Attorney for Defendant
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for Defendant
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Attorney for Defendant
- Thomas Kimball Bradford (Haverhill)
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Defendant
- Seir Kimball Newburyport
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Plaintiff
- Rufus King Esq. Newburyport
- 1755-1827 Harvard 1777 Studied law in Newburyport under Theophilus Parsons. Admitted to the bar 1780. 1783: Elected to be Newburyport's representative at General Court. 1784: Elected to Continental Congress. Sponsored bill to not allow slavery in new territories. 1788 Moved to New York 1789 Elected to US Senate. 1796-1803; 1825-1826 U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain. Federalist; ran unsuccessfully for vice president in 1804 and 1808.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Attorney for Defendant
- John Knight Newbury
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- David Larcom Beverly
- Farmer, merchant, land speculator. Acquired Juno through marriage with Mary Larcom.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Defendant
- Edward "Ned" Lewis
- "Mulatto" son of Violet who sued on his behalf. Documentation is about her, her mother's and her grandmother's free status.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Plaintiff
- Reverend John Lowell Newburyport
- Newburyport minister; father of John Lowell, attorney.
- Violet vs. Mark Howe (1766) Witness on Signed Document for Plaintiff
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Witness on Signed Document for Plaintiff
- John Lowell Esq. Newburyport
- JOHN LOWELL ( 1743-1802). Harvard 1760. Studied law with Oxenbridge Thacher, q. v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, May 1 7 6 5; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Newburyport until 1777, thereafter in Boston. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1769. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, recanting several months later. Represented Newburyport in the House, 1776; Boston, 1778, 1780. Delegate to Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, 1779-1780. Served in Continental Congress, 1782-1783. Appointed to federal Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, 1782. Judge, United States District Court, Massachusetts, 1789. Appointed Chief Judge of the First Circuit in Feb. 1801 by JA - one of the "midnight judges." DAB; 1 Adams Family Correspondence 405-406. His papers are in MHi.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for original Plaintiff on Appeal
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Benjamin Lynde Jr., Esq. Salem
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Associate Judge
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Chief Justice
- Jonathan Manly
- Daniel Millet Paramaribo
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Association with participant
- Nancy Andover
- Singlewoman. Listed in Inventory as "A Negro Girl named Nancy" valued at 40 pounds. Inventory dated June 29, 1763 from Probate Record #20506 Captain James Parker of Andover.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Plaintiff
- Mr. William Newman Methuen
- A William Newmen married Hepzibah Morse in 1761. A William Newman also had two children with Mary in 1767 and 1769.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- John Nichols Andover
- Mr. John Oliver
- Peter Oliver Esq. Boston
- PETER OLIVER ( 1713-179 1). Harvard 1730. Had no formal legal training. Early Plymouth Co. industrialist, with poetic talent. Leading loyalist. Related to the Hutchinsons by marriage. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1744 Judge, Plymouth Inferior Court, 1747-1756. Justice, Superior Court, 1756-1772; Chief Justice, 1772-1775. Represented Middleboro in the House, 1749, 1751, and sat on the Council, 1759-1766, upholding the crown position. Impeached as Chief Justice by the House, 1774 for refusmg to reject the royal salary grant. Jurors refused to serve under him thereafter. Appointed a Mandamus Councilor, 1774, and served on that body, taking refuge in Boston. Sailed to Halifax, 1776, and then to London. Proscribed, 1778. In retirement wrote Origin and Progress of the Anumcan Rebellion, a lengthy and very partisan account of the political events which he had witnessed (ed. Douglass Adair and John A. Schutz an Marino, Calif., 1963). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 737-763:
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Associate Judge
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Chief Justice
- Andrew Oliver Jun. Esq. Salem
- Harvard 1749. Son of Lt. Gov. Andrew Fitch (1706 - 1774) Nephew of Chief Justice Peter Oliver. Married (1752) Mary Lynde, daughter of Judge Benjamin Lynde. Moved to Salem @ 1760. Appointed to ECCP Nov. 19, 1761. "Largely uninterested in politics or his legal career." Scientist. 1763 Elected as Salem Rep. to General Court. 1764 published account of illness among Native Americans in Martha's Vineyard. 1772 published "An Essay on Comets in Two Parts."1773 elected to American Philosophical Society. 1774 Declined appointment to Mandamus Council. 1775 Recanted Address to Hutchinson. 1780 elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Suffered from severe gout for 16 years before death in 1799.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Inferior Court Justice
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Inferior Court Justice
- Timothy Osgood Jr. Andover
- John Osgood Esq. Andover
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Defendant
- Joseph Osgood Andover
- Physician.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Defendant
- Peter Osgood Jr. Andover
- Merchant
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Defendant
- Thomas Osgood Andover
- Yeoman. Owner of Prince.
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Defendant
- Mr. James Otis Jr. Reading
- Lawyer. Wrote on natural rights for all, 'white or black.' Died while being cared for in Andover.
- Josiah Over Jr.
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Defendant
- Dinah Parker Andover
- Widow of Capt. James Parker who died in 1763 leaving "Negro girl named Nancy" valued at 40pounds.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Defendant
- James Parker Jr. Andover
- Husbandman
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Defendant
- Theophilus Parsons Byfield (Newbury)
- THEOPHILUS PARSONS (1750-1813). Harvard 1769. Studied law with Theophilus Bradbury and Edmund Trowbridge, qq.v. Admitted attorney, Cumberland Inferior Court, July 1774; attorney, SCJ, June 1776; barrister, ca. 1784. Practiced in Essex Co. Leading lawyer of the post-Revolutionary generation, having many later distinguished students, including JQA. Interested in science as well, producing essays on astronomy and geometry. Author of the Essex Result, report of the Essex Convention in opposition to the proposed Massachusetts Constitution of 1778. A leader in the Essex Junto at the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Delegate to the Massachusetts Ratification Convention, 178 8. Elected to the House, 1779, 1787-1791, 1805. Appointed Chief Justice of Massachusetts, 1806, serving until his death. DAB.
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Witness on Indenture
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Oliver Peabody
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Witness on Indenture
- James Pease Jr.
- Freeholder
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Association with participant
- Peter Andover
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Plaintiff
- Samuel Phillips Esq. Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Arbitrator
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Arbitrator
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Arbitrator
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Inferior Court Justice
- Timothy Pickering Jun. Esq
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Inferior Court Justice
- Nicholas Pike
- Justice of the Peace
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Salem Poor Andover
- Purchased freedom from John Poor, Jr. July 1769 (recorded February 1772.) Married Dinah Parker, August 1771 who filed suit against her owner in ECCP September 1771. Highly respected Revolutionary war soldier.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Samuel Porter Esq. Ipswich
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Arbitrator
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Supported Bond for SCJ Appeal
- Thomas Porter Esq.
- David Preston Danvers
- Nor of legal age in 1771/2; only "David Preston" found in surrounding area in 1771/2.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Primus Middleton
- Enslaved in Middleton by John Flint. John Flint owned grist and sawmills on Ipswich River between (now) North Reading and (now) Peabody. Primus was married to Pegg, also owned by Flint, on March 24, 1749. Primus was bequeathed in Flint's will dated 1773 to Jeremiah Flint. Pegg was bequeathed in will to Flint's wife Huldah and three other enslaved people, Jack, Kate and Cloe, were bequeathed in will to Flint children. Primus gave sworn testimony in 1771 on discussion with Taylor on Taylor's arrangement with Casar.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Prince Andover
- Negro man. Labourer.
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Plaintiff
- James Putnam Esq. Worcester
- JAMES PUTNAM (1726-1789). Harvard 1746. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Sept. 1749; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Worcester. JA studied law in his office, 1756-1758. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, I 762. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, and Gage, 1775. Took refuge in Boston, 1774, and appointed Attorney General, 1775. Sailed for Halifax, 1776, then to New York, where he held a military post. Proscribed, 1778. Lived in England, 1779-1784. Then moved to New Brunswick as Judge of the Supreme Court and member of the Council. I 2 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 57-66.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for original Defendant on Appeal
- Asa Putnam Danvers
- Attended SCJ Nov and SCJ June in Casar vs Taylor.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- William Pynchon Esq. Salem
- WILLIAM PYNCHON (1723-1789). Harvard 1743. Studied law with Mitchell Sewall, Essex Co. Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds. Admitted attorney, SCJ, June 1757; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Essex Co. Had many students, including William Wetmore, q.v., later his son-in-law. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1761. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, but recanted. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Although remaining firmly loyalist in sympathy, he braved out the Revolution in Salem, continuing to practice law in partnership with Wetmore, and finally being appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1786.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Attorney for original Defendant on Appeal
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Attorney
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Supported Bond for SCJ Appeal
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Attorney for Defendant
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Attorney for Defendant
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Attorney for Defendant
- Martha Rolf Reading
- Lived in Reading. Married to Daniel Rolf. Eight children between 1741 - 1757.
- Daniel Rolf Reading
- Married to Martha Rolf. Eight children between 1741 and 1757. Private in 1758 Canadian expedition in the Middleton Company under Capt. Andrew Fuller, Col. Jonathan Bagley's Regiment. Land records show that he and Martha sold 1 acre of property to Samuel Taylor in 1768.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Honorable Nathaniel Ropes Esq. Salem
- NATHANIEL ROPES (1726-1774). Harvard 1745. Had no formal legal training. Represented Salem in the House, 1760-1761. Councilor, 1762-1769, supporting policies of Hutchinson. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1761-1772. Essex Co. Judge of Probate, 1766-1772. Justice, Superior Court, [Januiary 15] 1772-1774. His death was hastened by the agitation over the royal salary grant, which he renounced on his deathbed. 11 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 572-574.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
- Rose Andover
- Negro woman. Singlewoman & Spinster.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Plaintiff
- Timothy Russell Reading
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Supported Bond for SCJ Appeal
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Defendant
- Margaret Russell Reading
- Wife of Timothy Russell. Summonsed to SCJ Nov. No Record of attendance.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- Captain John Sale
- Sampson Beverly
- Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esq. Haverhill
- NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGEANT (1731-1791). Harvard 1750,. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Oct. 1764; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Haverhill. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1767. Delegate to Second Provincial Congress, 177 5. Represented Haverhill in the House, 1776. Declined appointment to the Superior Court, Oct. 1775, but accepted appointment, Sept. 1776. Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Appointed Chief Justice, 1 790. 12 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 574-580.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Attorney for Defendant
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for Plaintiff
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for original Plaintiff on Appeal
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Attorney
- Abraham Shelden Reading
- 1771 Voter in South Parish, Reading.
- Ephraim Shelden Lynn
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- Jenny Slew Ipswich
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Plaintiff
- Amos Smith Danvers
- Could be either Amos Smith (1724 - 1798), blacksmith, living in Danvers in 1771 or his son born 1748 and also living in Danvers in 1771.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Bartholomew Smith Danvers
- Son of Walter Smith, nephew or cousin of Amos Smith. Cooper.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Walter Smith Danvers
- Born in Salem, father of Bartholomew Smith (1751-) both of Danvers. Cooper.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed
- Pomp Somerset Newburyport
- Abiel Stevens Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Witness to Arbitration
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Witness to Arbitration
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Mr. Samuel Taylor Reading
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Defendant
- Mr. Oxenbridge Thacher Boston
- Lawyer.
- Rowland Thomas Danvers
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Timon Andover
- Negro man Labourer
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Plaintiff
- Edmund Trowbridge Esq. Cambridge
- EDMUND TROWBRIDGE (1709-1793). Harvard 1728. Used the name "Goffe" until well into middle life, after his uncle and guardian, Col. Edmund Goffe. Admitted attorney, SCJ, July 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced primarily in Middlesex Co. Considered the most scholarly lawyer and judge of the pre-Revolutionary period. Many of his students went on to great success at the bar. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1739. Attorney General, 1749-1767. Represented Cambridge in the House, 1750-1752, 1755, 1763. Member of the Council, 1764-1766, where he supported Crown policies. Justice of Superior Court, 1767-1775, bringing to the bench legal knowledge which many of his fellow judges lacked. Pleadings and opinions in the field of real property reprinted and cited by Massachusetts lawyers into the 19th century. Renounced the royal salary grant, 1774, and thereafter remained a neutral, withdrawing from public life to devote himself to legal research and study. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 507-520; DAB.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Attorney for Defendant
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
- James Turner Andover
- According to John Foster's testimony, in 1768, John Turner was buying a house with Casar or assisting Casar with buying a house.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Referenced in witness document
- William Upton
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Richard Vanderhoaf Newburyport
- Merchant.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Defendant
- Violet Cudjo Ipswich
- Mother of Edward Lewis. Daughter of Lydia Dyer Robbins, "free Negro" and Cudjo. Granddaughter of Anthony and Amaritta, "free Negroes".
- Violet vs. Mark Howe (1766) Plaintiff
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Witness on Signed Document for Plaintiff
- Garret Wanstraat
- Co-purchaser of Adventurer.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Association with participant
- John Whipple Jr Ipswich
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Defendant
- Lydia Whitaker
- Anna Whittaker Danvers
- Likely to have been Hannah Knap, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Knap of Danvers, b. Sept 27, 1737. Married Abraham Whitteker, Danvers, April 28, 1762.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
- Richard Whitteridge Danvers
- Summonsed and reimbursed for attendance at ECCP September 1771 for Casar vs Taylor. Housewright born in Beverly. Youngest child Ruth born September 22 1771. Wife Lydia died November 9, 1771. Remarried January 1774 and died falling from steeple of meetinghouse Nov. 1, 1774. Left estate valued at 358 pounds including 12 acres of woodland in Andover.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Mr. John Willson Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Arbitrator
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Arbitrator
- Aaron Wood Esq.
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Inferior Court Justice
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Inferior Court Justice
- Anthony Wood Beverly
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Summonsed and Reimbursed
- Benjamin Woodbridge Newbury
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Witness on Signed Document for Defendant
- Joseph Woodbridge Newbury
- Boatbuilder
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Sworn signed testimony for Plaintiff
Plaintiffs Top
- Adventurer Newburyport
- Negro man. Laborer.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782)
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- Booso Andover
- Negro man. Labourer.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778)
Defendant defaulted. Booso "recovers his liberty" and "no longer held in Servitude."
- Bristol Andover
- Negro Laborer
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773)
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Casar Andover
- Leather Dresser. Denied marriage to Tamar of Danvers, April 15, 1769.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772)
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Scipio Freeman
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783)
Plaintiff nonsuit, no defendant.
- Cloe Hale Newbury
- Negro woman. Singlewoman.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782)
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Casar Hendrick Newburyport
- "Molatto man." Labourer. Baptised in First Presbyterian Church Newburyport. Had two children with Susannah - Elizabeth b. May 1, 1775 and Josiah b. July 2, 1777 d. May 1801, both listed under family name not under "Negroes".
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773)
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Jude Newbury
- Molatto Singlewoman "free woman born"
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769)
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Juno Beverly
- Mother was a "North Carolina Indian" purchased in Portsmouth New Hampshire by Captain Henry Herrick of Beverly. Later willed to Herrick's daughter Mary Larcom wife of David Larcom. Married Jethro Thistle in 1751 and had eleven children. After Larcom's death, returned to Larcom's household but "claimed her freedom" for herself and her children.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775)
No judgment in case as David Larcom died in May 1775.
- Kate Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769)
Along with her brother, Peter, Kate based her suit on her mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for in their favor.
- Seir Kimball Newburyport
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779)
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- Edward "Ned" Lewis
- "Mulatto" son of Violet who sued on his behalf. Documentation is about her, her mother's and her grandmother's free status.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769)
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Nancy Andover
- Singlewoman. Listed in Inventory as "A Negro Girl named Nancy" valued at 40 pounds. Inventory dated June 29, 1763 from Probate Record #20506 Captain James Parker of Andover.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771)
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Peter Andover
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769)
Along with his sister, Kate, Peter based his suit on his mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for Peter and Kate. See also Kate vs. Moody Bridges.
- Prince Andover
- Negro man. Labourer.
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778)
Osgood defaulted. Prince "recovers his liberty" and is "no longer held in servitude."
- Rose Andover
- Negro woman. Singlewoman & Spinster.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779)
Defendant defaulted. Rose "recovers her Liberty."
- Sampson Beverly
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775)
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Jenny Slew Ipswich
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766)
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Pomp Somerset Newburyport
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776)
Pomp Somerset gives his attorney, Theophilus Parsons, a power of attorney before the case is called. Greenleaf fails to appear and Pomp, through Parsons, forgoes damages and costs but wins his case.
- Timon Andover
- Negro man Labourer
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777)
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Violet Cudjo Ipswich
- Mother of Edward Lewis. Daughter of Lydia Dyer Robbins, "free Negro" and Cudjo. Granddaughter of Anthony and Amaritta, "free Negroes".
- Violet vs. Mark Howe (1766)
Violet was born in Newburyport in 1735, the daughter of a free "Negro woman" (who herself was born of "free Negroes") and an enslaved African. At some point she was sold as a slave, along with her "mulatto" son, Edward "Ned" Lewis, to a family in the Linebrook Parish of Ipswich. John Lowell Esq. of Newburyport negotiated her freedom and she received twenty shillings from her enslaver in 1766. Three years later, she sued her son's enslaver, again with John Lowell as her attorney, and was successful in freeing him. See also Lewis vs. Dodge (1769).
Defendants Top
- Josiah Batchelder Jr. Beverly
- Father-in-law of Caleb Dodge
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775)
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Moody Bridges Andover
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769)
Along with her brother, Peter, Kate based her suit on her mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for in their favor.
- Moody Bridges Andover
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769)
Along with his sister, Kate, Peter based his suit on his mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for Peter and Kate. See also Kate vs. Moody Bridges.
- Samuel Chickering Andover
- Currier. Owner of Booso.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778)
Defendant defaulted. Booso "recovers his liberty" and "no longer held in Servitude."
- Deacon Solomon Dodge
- Owner of Ned Lewis. Later, co-signed bond of guardianship under John Lowell, attorney.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769)
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Caleb Dodge Beverly
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775)
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Richard Greenleaf Newburyport
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773)
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Richard Greenleaf Newburyport
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776)
Pomp Somerset gives his attorney, Theophilus Parsons, a power of attorney before the case is called. Greenleaf fails to appear and Pomp, through Parsons, forgoes damages and costs but wins his case.
- Daniel Hale Gentleman Newbury
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769)
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Nathaniel Hale Newbury
- Housejoiner.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782)
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Mark Howe Ipswich
- Violet vs. Mark Howe (1766)
Violet was born in Newburyport in 1735, the daughter of a free "Negro woman" (who herself was born of "free Negroes") and an enslaved African. At some point she was sold as a slave, along with her "mulatto" son, Edward "Ned" Lewis, to a family in the Linebrook Parish of Ipswich. John Lowell Esq. of Newburyport negotiated her freedom and she received twenty shillings from her enslaver in 1766. Three years later, she sued her son's enslaver, again with John Lowell as her attorney, and was successful in freeing him. See also Lewis vs. Dodge (1769).
- Thomas Kimball Bradford (Haverhill)
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779)
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- David Larcom Beverly
- Farmer, merchant, land speculator. Acquired Juno through marriage with Mary Larcom.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775)
No judgment in case as David Larcom died in May 1775.
- John Osgood Esq. Andover
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773)
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Joseph Osgood Andover
- Physician.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779)
Defendant defaulted. Rose "recovers her Liberty."
- Peter Osgood Jr. Andover
- Merchant
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777)
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Thomas Osgood Andover
- Yeoman. Owner of Prince.
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778)
Osgood defaulted. Prince "recovers his liberty" and is "no longer held in servitude."
- Josiah Over Jr.
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783)
Plaintiff nonsuit, no defendant.
- Dinah Parker Andover
- Widow of Capt. James Parker who died in 1763 leaving "Negro girl named Nancy" valued at 40pounds.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771)
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- James Parker Jr. Andover
- Husbandman
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771)
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Mr. Samuel Taylor Reading
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772)
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Richard Vanderhoaf Newburyport
- Merchant.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782)
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- John Whipple Jr Ipswich
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766)
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
Attorneys for Plaintiffs Top
- Benjamin Kent
- BENJAMIN KENT (1708-1788). Harvard 1727. Admitted attorney, J, ca. 1739; barrister, Aug. 1762. Began career as a Congregational minister. Dismissed by an ecclesiastical council after a heresy trial in 1735, but won a lengthy civil suit for his back salary in 1737. A Son of Liberty and correspondent of John Wilkes. Appointed state Attorney General, 1776. Served as Attorney General for Suffolk Co., 1777-1785. Under the influence of his loyalist son-in-law, Sampson Salter Blowers, q.v., joined family in Halifax in 1785. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 220-230.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Attorney for Plaintiff
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- John Lowell Esq. Newburyport
- JOHN LOWELL ( 1743-1802). Harvard 1760. Studied law with Oxenbridge Thacher, q. v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, May 1 7 6 5; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Newburyport until 1777, thereafter in Boston. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1769. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, recanting several months later. Represented Newburyport in the House, 1776; Boston, 1778, 1780. Delegate to Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, 1779-1780. Served in Continental Congress, 1782-1783. Appointed to federal Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, 1782. Judge, United States District Court, Massachusetts, 1789. Appointed Chief Judge of the First Circuit in Feb. 1801 by JA - one of the "midnight judges." DAB; 1 Adams Family Correspondence 405-406. His papers are in MHi.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Attorney for Plaintiff
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Attorney for Plaintiff
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Attorney for Plaintiff
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Theophilus Parsons Byfield (Newbury)
- THEOPHILUS PARSONS (1750-1813). Harvard 1769. Studied law with Theophilus Bradbury and Edmund Trowbridge, qq.v. Admitted attorney, Cumberland Inferior Court, July 1774; attorney, SCJ, June 1776; barrister, ca. 1784. Practiced in Essex Co. Leading lawyer of the post-Revolutionary generation, having many later distinguished students, including JQA. Interested in science as well, producing essays on astronomy and geometry. Author of the Essex Result, report of the Essex Convention in opposition to the proposed Massachusetts Constitution of 1778. A leader in the Essex Junto at the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Delegate to the Massachusetts Ratification Convention, 178 8. Elected to the House, 1779, 1787-1791, 1805. Appointed Chief Justice of Massachusetts, 1806, serving until his death. DAB.
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Attorney for Plaintiff
Pomp Somerset gives his attorney, Theophilus Parsons, a power of attorney before the case is called. Greenleaf fails to appear and Pomp, through Parsons, forgoes damages and costs but wins his case.
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Attorney for Plaintiff
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Attorney for Plaintiff
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Attorney for Plaintiff
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Attorney for Plaintiff
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esq. Haverhill
- NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGEANT (1731-1791). Harvard 1750,. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Oct. 1764; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Haverhill. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1767. Delegate to Second Provincial Congress, 177 5. Represented Haverhill in the House, 1776. Declined appointment to the Superior Court, Oct. 1775, but accepted appointment, Sept. 1776. Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Appointed Chief Justice, 1 790. 12 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 574-580.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for Plaintiff
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
Appeal Attorneys for Original Plaintiffs Top
- John Lowell Esq. Newburyport
- JOHN LOWELL ( 1743-1802). Harvard 1760. Studied law with Oxenbridge Thacher, q. v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, May 1 7 6 5; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Newburyport until 1777, thereafter in Boston. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1769. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, recanting several months later. Represented Newburyport in the House, 1776; Boston, 1778, 1780. Delegate to Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, 1779-1780. Served in Continental Congress, 1782-1783. Appointed to federal Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, 1782. Judge, United States District Court, Massachusetts, 1789. Appointed Chief Judge of the First Circuit in Feb. 1801 by JA - one of the "midnight judges." DAB; 1 Adams Family Correspondence 405-406. His papers are in MHi.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772)
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esq. Haverhill
- NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGEANT (1731-1791). Harvard 1750,. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Oct. 1764; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Haverhill. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1767. Delegate to Second Provincial Congress, 177 5. Represented Haverhill in the House, 1776. Declined appointment to the Superior Court, Oct. 1775, but accepted appointment, Sept. 1776. Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Appointed Chief Justice, 1 790. 12 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 574-580.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772)
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
Attorneys for Defendants Top
- Daniel Farnham Esq. Newburyport
- DANIEL FARNHAM ( 1719-1776). Harvard 173 9. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Nov. 1745; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Newburyport. Appointed Attorney General for York Co., 1744; Justice of the Peace, Essex Co., 1752. Loyalist in sympathy, but did not go into exile. 10 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 364-366.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Attorney for Defendant
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Attorney for Defendant
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Benjamin Kent
- BENJAMIN KENT (1708-1788). Harvard 1727. Admitted attorney, J, ca. 1739; barrister, Aug. 1762. Began career as a Congregational minister. Dismissed by an ecclesiastical council after a heresy trial in 1735, but won a lengthy civil suit for his back salary in 1737. A Son of Liberty and correspondent of John Wilkes. Appointed state Attorney General, 1776. Served as Attorney General for Suffolk Co., 1777-1785. Under the influence of his loyalist son-in-law, Sampson Salter Blowers, q.v., joined family in Halifax in 1785. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 220-230.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Attorney for Defendant
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Attorney for Defendant
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Attorney for Defendant
No judgment in case as David Larcom died in May 1775.
- Rufus King Esq. Newburyport
- 1755-1827 Harvard 1777 Studied law in Newburyport under Theophilus Parsons. Admitted to the bar 1780. 1783: Elected to be Newburyport's representative at General Court. 1784: Elected to Continental Congress. Sponsored bill to not allow slavery in new territories. 1788 Moved to New York 1789 Elected to US Senate. 1796-1803; 1825-1826 U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain. Federalist; ran unsuccessfully for vice president in 1804 and 1808.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Attorney for Defendant
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- William Pynchon Esq. Salem
- WILLIAM PYNCHON (1723-1789). Harvard 1743. Studied law with Mitchell Sewall, Essex Co. Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds. Admitted attorney, SCJ, June 1757; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Essex Co. Had many students, including William Wetmore, q.v., later his son-in-law. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1761. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, but recanted. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Although remaining firmly loyalist in sympathy, he braved out the Revolution in Salem, continuing to practice law in partnership with Wetmore, and finally being appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1786.
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Attorney for Defendant
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Attorney for Defendant
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Attorney for Defendant
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esq. Haverhill
- NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGEANT (1731-1791). Harvard 1750,. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Oct. 1764; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Haverhill. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1767. Delegate to Second Provincial Congress, 177 5. Represented Haverhill in the House, 1776. Declined appointment to the Superior Court, Oct. 1775, but accepted appointment, Sept. 1776. Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Appointed Chief Justice, 1 790. 12 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 574-580.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Attorney for Defendant
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Edmund Trowbridge Esq. Cambridge
- EDMUND TROWBRIDGE (1709-1793). Harvard 1728. Used the name "Goffe" until well into middle life, after his uncle and guardian, Col. Edmund Goffe. Admitted attorney, SCJ, July 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced primarily in Middlesex Co. Considered the most scholarly lawyer and judge of the pre-Revolutionary period. Many of his students went on to great success at the bar. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1739. Attorney General, 1749-1767. Represented Cambridge in the House, 1750-1752, 1755, 1763. Member of the Council, 1764-1766, where he supported Crown policies. Justice of Superior Court, 1767-1775, bringing to the bench legal knowledge which many of his fellow judges lacked. Pleadings and opinions in the field of real property reprinted and cited by Massachusetts lawyers into the 19th century. Renounced the royal salary grant, 1774, and thereafter remained a neutral, withdrawing from public life to devote himself to legal research and study. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 507-520; DAB.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Attorney for Defendant
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
Appeal Attorneys for Original Defendants Top
- John Adams
- Graduates Harvard 1755. Studied law under James Putnam. 1758 Admitted to Suffolk County Bar.1762 Elevated to Barrister. 1764 Marries Abigail Smith. June 1766 Observes Slew vs. Whipple. May 1768 Attorney for Defendant in Margaret vs. Muzzy. September 1768 Attorney for Defendant in Newport vs. Billing. June 1770 elected to MA legislature. October 1770 Attorney for defendants in Boston Massacre Trial. May 1771 Attorney for defendant in Watson vs. Caesar. June 1772 Attorney for Defendant in Casar vs. Taylor (last case involving slavery.) 1774 Elected delegate to First Continental Congress. 1775 Elected delegate to Second Continental Congress. 1778 Leaves for France as diplomat. October 1779 returns to Boston, drafts MA constitution. November 1779 Salils to Europe to negotiate with France and England. October 1783 Signs Treaty of Paris. 1783 Returns to Braintree. 1789 Elected Vice President of the U.S. 1797 - 1801 President of the United States. 1826 Dies.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772)
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Daniel Farnham Esq. Newburyport
- DANIEL FARNHAM ( 1719-1776). Harvard 173 9. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Nov. 1745; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Newburyport. Appointed Attorney General for York Co., 1744; Justice of the Peace, Essex Co., 1752. Loyalist in sympathy, but did not go into exile. 10 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 364-366.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769)
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Jeremiah Gridley Boston
- JEREMIAH GRIDLEY (1702-1767). Harvard 1725. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Feb. 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. (Sometimes called Jeremy.) The leading lawyer of his time. Many of the outstanding lawyers of the next generation studied under him, including William Cushing, James Otis, Benjamin Prat, and Oxenbridge Thacher, qq.v. Others, notably JA, were deeply influenced by his knowledge of the law. Founder of the "sodality," a legal discussion group in which JA participated, 1765. Broadly interested in literary matters as well, founding the Weekly Rehearsal (1731) and (with others) the American Magazine (1743). Appointed Justice of the Peace and of tl1e Quorum, 1746. Represented Brookline in the House frequently, 1755-1767. Appointed Attorney General, 1767. Represented the Crown in the argument on writs of assistance in 1761 (No. 44), but appeared with JA before the Council in 1765 to argue on behalf of the merchants of Boston that the courts be opened during the Stamp Act crisis. 7 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 5 18-53 o .
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766)
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- James Putnam Esq. Worcester
- JAMES PUTNAM (1726-1789). Harvard 1746. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Sept. 1749; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Worcester. JA studied law in his office, 1756-1758. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, I 762. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, and Gage, 1775. Took refuge in Boston, 1774, and appointed Attorney General, 1775. Sailed for Halifax, 1776, then to New York, where he held a military post. Proscribed, 1778. Lived in England, 1779-1784. Then moved to New Brunswick as Judge of the Supreme Court and member of the Council. I 2 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 57-66.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772)
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- William Pynchon Esq. Salem
- WILLIAM PYNCHON (1723-1789). Harvard 1743. Studied law with Mitchell Sewall, Essex Co. Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds. Admitted attorney, SCJ, June 1757; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Essex Co. Had many students, including William Wetmore, q.v., later his son-in-law. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1761. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, but recanted. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Although remaining firmly loyalist in sympathy, he braved out the Revolution in Salem, continuing to practice law in partnership with Wetmore, and finally being appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1786.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769)
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
Attorneys - Unspecified Top
- William Pynchon Esq. Salem
- WILLIAM PYNCHON (1723-1789). Harvard 1743. Studied law with Mitchell Sewall, Essex Co. Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds. Admitted attorney, SCJ, June 1757; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Essex Co. Had many students, including William Wetmore, q.v., later his son-in-law. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1761. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, but recanted. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Although remaining firmly loyalist in sympathy, he braved out the Revolution in Salem, continuing to practice law in partnership with Wetmore, and finally being appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1786.
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773)
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esq. Haverhill
- NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGEANT (1731-1791). Harvard 1750,. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Oct. 1764; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Haverhill. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1767. Delegate to Second Provincial Congress, 177 5. Represented Haverhill in the House, 1776. Declined appointment to the Superior Court, Oct. 1775, but accepted appointment, Sept. 1776. Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Appointed Chief Justice, 1 790. 12 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 574-580.
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773)
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
Essex County Common Pleas Justices Top
- Joseph Appleton Esq.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Inferior Court Justice
Defendant defaulted. Booso "recovers his liberty" and "no longer held in Servitude."
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Inferior Court Justice
Osgood defaulted. Prince "recovers his liberty" and is "no longer held in servitude."
- William Browne Esq Salem
- WILLIAM BROWNE (1737-1802). Harvard 1755. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v., but never practiced. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Briefly Collector of the Port of Salem, 1764, but dismissed, apparently in scandal over counterfeit clearances. Represented Salem in the House, 1762-1768. One of the seventeen "Rescinders" who voted to withdraw resolutions protesting the Townshend Acts, 1768. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1770-1774. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Appointed Judge of the Superior Court and a Mandamus Councilor, 1774. Took refuge in Boston. In 1776 sailed for England. Proscribed, 1778. Governor of Bermuda, 178 1-178 8. 13 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 551-560.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with her brother, Peter, Kate based her suit on her mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for in their favor.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with his sister, Kate, Peter based his suit on his mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for Peter and Kate. See also Kate vs. Moody Bridges.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Honorable John Choate Esq
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Honorable Caleb Cushing Esq. Salisbury
- Magistrate in Salisbury for fifty years. Member of Governor's Council 1771 - 1774. Quartermaster in Essex Regiment. Delegate in 1778 to constitutional convention, Served in provincial congress.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with her brother, Peter, Kate based her suit on her mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for in their favor.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with his sister, Kate, Peter based his suit on his mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for Peter and Kate. See also Kate vs. Moody Bridges.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Inferior Court Justice
No judgment in case as David Larcom died in May 1775.
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Inferior Court Justice
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Inferior Court Justice
Pomp Somerset gives his attorney, Theophilus Parsons, a power of attorney before the case is called. Greenleaf fails to appear and Pomp, through Parsons, forgoes damages and costs but wins his case.
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Inferior Court Justice
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Inferior Court Justice
Defendant defaulted. Booso "recovers his liberty" and "no longer held in Servitude."
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Inferior Court Justice
Osgood defaulted. Prince "recovers his liberty" and is "no longer held in servitude."
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Inferior Court Justice
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Inferior Court Justice
Defendant defaulted. Rose "recovers her Liberty."
- Peter Frye Esq. Andover
- Peter Frye, appointed [to the ECCP] January 15, 1772, was born in Andover in 1723 and graduated at Harvard in 17 44. He removed to Salem and taught school, and was also Colonel in the Militia and Register of Probate for Essex County from September 29, 1773, to the Revolution. He remained on the bench until the Revolution and being a Loyalist went to England where he died in 1820. Davis, History of Judiciary in Massachusetts
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Inferior Court Justice
No judgment in case as David Larcom died in May 1775.
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Inferior Court Justice
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Benjamin Greenleaf Esq.
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Inferior Court Justice
Pomp Somerset gives his attorney, Theophilus Parsons, a power of attorney before the case is called. Greenleaf fails to appear and Pomp, through Parsons, forgoes damages and costs but wins his case.
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Inferior Court Justice
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Booso vs. Samuel Chickering (1778) Inferior Court Justice
Defendant defaulted. Booso "recovers his liberty" and "no longer held in Servitude."
- Prince vs. Thomas Osgood (1778) Inferior Court Justice
Osgood defaulted. Prince "recovers his liberty" and is "no longer held in servitude."
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Inferior Court Justice
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Inferior Court Justice
Defendant defaulted. Rose "recovers her Liberty."
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Inferior Court Justice
Plaintiff nonsuit, no defendant.
- Samuel Holton Physician Danvers
- Physcian, Elected Danvers Rep. to General Court 1768. ECCP Judge 1776 - 1808. Justice General Sessions of the Peace 35 years. JP for 15 years. Seved in Congress two years. Citation: "History of the town of Danvers, from its early settlement to the year 1848." Hanson, John Wesley, 1848.
- Pomp Somerset vs. Richard Greenleaf (1776) Inferior Court Justice
Pomp Somerset gives his attorney, Theophilus Parsons, a power of attorney before the case is called. Greenleaf fails to appear and Pomp, through Parsons, forgoes damages and costs but wins his case.
- Timon vs. Peter Osgood (1777) Inferior Court Justice
Sham demurrer per pre-arranged agreement. Two year indenture agreement between Timon ("free negro") and Osgood.
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Andrew Oliver Jun. Esq. Salem
- Harvard 1749. Son of Lt. Gov. Andrew Fitch (1706 - 1774) Nephew of Chief Justice Peter Oliver. Married (1752) Mary Lynde, daughter of Judge Benjamin Lynde. Moved to Salem @ 1760. Appointed to ECCP Nov. 19, 1761. "Largely uninterested in politics or his legal career." Scientist. 1763 Elected as Salem Rep. to General Court. 1764 published account of illness among Native Americans in Martha's Vineyard. 1772 published "An Essay on Comets in Two Parts."1773 elected to American Philosophical Society. 1774 Declined appointment to Mandamus Council. 1775 Recanted Address to Hutchinson. 1780 elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Suffered from severe gout for 16 years before death in 1799.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with her brother, Peter, Kate based her suit on her mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for in their favor.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with his sister, Kate, Peter based his suit on his mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for Peter and Kate. See also Kate vs. Moody Bridges.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Bristol vs. John Osgood (1773) Inferior Court Justice
Case continued from March 1772 to December 1773 when both parties defaulted.
- Casar Hendrick vs. Richard Greenleaf (1773) Inferior Court Justice
ECCP Sept. 1773 Second Jury found for Casar Hendrick, Plaintiff, and awarded 18 pounds in money damages and court costs. Greenleaf declared appeal but did not file.
- Juno vs. David Larcom (1775) Inferior Court Justice
No judgment in case as David Larcom died in May 1775.
- Sampson vs. Caleb Dodge and Josiah Batchelder (1775) Inferior Court Justice
Case is sent to arbitration but no report is submitted. Case appears as continued in July 1775 after which it no longer appears.
- Samuel Phillips Esq. Andover
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Inferior Court Justice
Plaintiff nonsuit, no defendant.
- Timothy Pickering Jun. Esq
- Adventurer vs. Vanderhoaf (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Defendent's Plea judged bad. Case continued for one term to determine money damages. Plaintiff agreed to one penny in damages.
- Cloe Hale vs. Nathaniel Hale (1782) Inferior Court Justice
Cloe Hale "singlewoman, negrowoman" plea of trespass against Nathaniel Hale. Defendant defaulted. Cloe awarded one penny money damages.
- Scipio Freeman vs. Josiah Ober (1783) Inferior Court Justice
Plaintiff nonsuit, no defendant.
- Honorable Nathaniel Ropes Esq. Salem
- NATHANIEL ROPES (1726-1774). Harvard 1745. Had no formal legal training. Represented Salem in the House, 1760-1761. Councilor, 1762-1769, supporting policies of Hutchinson. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1761-1772. Essex Co. Judge of Probate, 1766-1772. Justice, Superior Court, [Januiary 15] 1772-1774. His death was hastened by the agitation over the royal salary grant, which he renounced on his deathbed. 11 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 572-574.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Inferior Court Justice
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Jude vs. Daniel Hale (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Jude, identified as a "Molatto Singlewoman", sued for her freedom in 1769 claiming to be a "Woman born free." She won her case in the ECCP; her enslaver claimed he would appeal in the SCJ but no record of an appeal has been found.
- Kate vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with her brother, Peter, Kate based her suit on her mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for in their favor.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Peter vs. Moody Bridges (1769) Inferior Court Justice
Along with his sister, Kate, Peter based his suit on his mother's status as a free Indian. Both their cases were sent to arbitration; the arbitrators ruled for Peter and Kate. See also Kate vs. Moody Bridges.
- Nancy vs. James Parker Jr. and Dinah Parker (1771) Inferior Court Justice
Nancy Parker was bequeathed to James Parker by his father before James turned twenty-one. When he did come of age in 1771, Dinah sued for her freedom on the basis that she was freeborn. Both parties agreed to arbitration and the arbitrators ruled in Nancy's favor. They also awarded damages and costs to Nancy who had to sue again in the following ECCP term to collect them.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Inferior Court Justice
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Aaron Wood Esq.
- Kimball vs. Kimball (1779) Inferior Court Justice
Continued from December 1777 to May 1779. Defendant's Plea judged bad and Seir awarded one penny damages.
- Rose vs. Joseph Osgood (1779) Inferior Court Justice
Defendant defaulted. Rose "recovers her Liberty."
Superior Court Chief Justices Top
- Honorable Thomas Hutchinson Esq. Boston
- THOMAS HUTCHINSON (1711-1780). Harvard 1727. Had no formal legal training. The most important figure on the loyalist side in pre-Revolutionary Massachusetts. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1740. Served in the House, 1739-1749, and on the Council, 1749-1766. Expert on provincial currency and credit. Lieutenant Governor, 1758-1771, serving as acting Governor from 1769 until his appointment as Governor in 177 1. Chief Justice, 1760-1771 (did not sit after 1769). Also served as judge of the uffolk Inferior Court, 1752-1758, and as Suffolk County Judge of Probate, 1752-1769. As judge and Governor, involved in the major political events of the period, including the arguments on writs of assistance (No. 44), the Stamp Act crisis, the Boston Massacre (Nos. 63, 64), the burning of the Gaspee, and the Boston Tea Party. Called to England in r 774 and relieved as Governor; never returned to Massachu- etts. Author of History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts Bay, a thoughtful and scholarly work, of principal value for its account of his own administration (first published in 3 vols., 1764-1828; ed. Lawrence ,haw Mayo, Cambridge, Mass., 1936, 3 vols.). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 149-215.
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Chief Justice
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Benjamin Lynde Jr., Esq. Salem
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Chief Justice
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Peter Oliver Esq. Boston
- PETER OLIVER ( 1713-179 1). Harvard 1730. Had no formal legal training. Early Plymouth Co. industrialist, with poetic talent. Leading loyalist. Related to the Hutchinsons by marriage. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1744 Judge, Plymouth Inferior Court, 1747-1756. Justice, Superior Court, 1756-1772; Chief Justice, 1772-1775. Represented Middleboro in the House, 1749, 1751, and sat on the Council, 1759-1766, upholding the crown position. Impeached as Chief Justice by the House, 1774 for refusmg to reject the royal salary grant. Jurors refused to serve under him thereafter. Appointed a Mandamus Councilor, 1774, and served on that body, taking refuge in Boston. Sailed to Halifax, 1776, and then to London. Proscribed, 1778. In retirement wrote Origin and Progress of the Anumcan Rebellion, a lengthy and very partisan account of the political events which he had witnessed (ed. Douglass Adair and John A. Schutz an Marino, Calif., 1963). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 737-763:
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Chief Justice
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
Superior Court Associate Justices Top
- John Cushing Esq. Salem
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Associate Judge
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Honorable William Cushing Esq.
- WILLIAM CUSHING (1732-1810). Harvard 1751. Studied law with Jeremiah Gridley, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Feb. 1758; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Scituate from 1755 to 1760 and in Pownalborough (now Dresden, Maine) from 1760 to 1772, serving not only as Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, Register of Deeds, and Judge of Probate, but as general counsel of the Kennebec Company during the latter period. In [January 15] 1772 appointed Judge of the Superior Court, a post held by his father John Cushing, q. v.) and grandfather John Cushing, 1662-1737) before him. Only royal judge to be appointed to the Superior Court established by the Revolutionary Council in 1775. Presided at its first sessions and succeeded JA as Chief Justice of Massachusetts in 1777, serving until 1789.[Presided over Quock Walker Case as Chief Justice.] A member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779 and vice president of the state Ratification Convention in 1788. Appointed first Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1789, serving until his death. Appointed Chief Justice in 1796, but resigned the commission after a week for reasons of health. 13 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 26-39.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Foster Hutchinson Esq.
- Born in Boston September 9, 1724 to Colonel Thomas and Sarah (Foster) Hutchinson. Graduated Harvard 1743. Maried Margaret Mascarene in 1750. Brother to Thomas Hutchinson. April 1758 appointed to Suffolk CCP. Appointed March 1771 to SCJ. Supported by merchants but not other lawyers. Not viewed as a worthy target by Whigs. Drew half salary from Province but under pressure agreed not to take other half from Crown.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Benjamin Lynde Jr., Esq. Salem
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Associate Judge
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Peter Oliver Esq. Boston
- PETER OLIVER ( 1713-179 1). Harvard 1730. Had no formal legal training. Early Plymouth Co. industrialist, with poetic talent. Leading loyalist. Related to the Hutchinsons by marriage. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1744 Judge, Plymouth Inferior Court, 1747-1756. Justice, Superior Court, 1756-1772; Chief Justice, 1772-1775. Represented Middleboro in the House, 1749, 1751, and sat on the Council, 1759-1766, upholding the crown position. Impeached as Chief Justice by the House, 1774 for refusmg to reject the royal salary grant. Jurors refused to serve under him thereafter. Appointed a Mandamus Councilor, 1774, and served on that body, taking refuge in Boston. Sailed to Halifax, 1776, and then to London. Proscribed, 1778. In retirement wrote Origin and Progress of the Anumcan Rebellion, a lengthy and very partisan account of the political events which he had witnessed (ed. Douglass Adair and John A. Schutz an Marino, Calif., 1963). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 737-763:
- Jenny Slew vs. John Whipple, Jr. (1766) Associate Judge
In 1766, Jenny Slew sued John Whipple, Ipswich (Hamilton), on basis that her mother was white. She lost her case in the ECCP case but appealed and won in the SCJ in 1766.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Honorable Nathaniel Ropes Esq. Salem
- NATHANIEL ROPES (1726-1774). Harvard 1745. Had no formal legal training. Represented Salem in the House, 1760-1761. Councilor, 1762-1769, supporting policies of Hutchinson. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1761-1772. Essex Co. Judge of Probate, 1766-1772. Justice, Superior Court, [Januiary 15] 1772-1774. His death was hastened by the agitation over the royal salary grant, which he renounced on his deathbed. 11 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 572-574.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
- Edmund Trowbridge Esq. Cambridge
- EDMUND TROWBRIDGE (1709-1793). Harvard 1728. Used the name "Goffe" until well into middle life, after his uncle and guardian, Col. Edmund Goffe. Admitted attorney, SCJ, July 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced primarily in Middlesex Co. Considered the most scholarly lawyer and judge of the pre-Revolutionary period. Many of his students went on to great success at the bar. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1739. Attorney General, 1749-1767. Represented Cambridge in the House, 1750-1752, 1755, 1763. Member of the Council, 1764-1766, where he supported Crown policies. Justice of Superior Court, 1767-1775, bringing to the bench legal knowledge which many of his fellow judges lacked. Pleadings and opinions in the field of real property reprinted and cited by Massachusetts lawyers into the 19th century. Renounced the royal salary grant, 1774, and thereafter remained a neutral, withdrawing from public life to devote himself to legal research and study. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 507-520; DAB.
- Lewis vs. Dodge (1769) Associate Judge
Edward "Ned" Lewis was 16 years old when his mother, Violet (see Violet vs Howe, 1766) sued for his freedom. Violet submitted documentation to show that her mother's mother was a "free Negro" and her mother was a "free Negro." Based on two generations of free maternal descent, Violet argued that she was legally free all her life and so too was Lewis. The case was lost at the ECCP level but won on appeal to the SCJ.
- Casar vs. Samuel Taylor (1772) Associate Judge
A captive who arrived in New England directly from Africa speaking no English, Caesar, twelve years old, was purchased at dock side by Timothy Fuller of Middleton. Taylor sent him to Samuel Taylor of Reading to be taught leather-dressing. At the end of three years, Fuller sold Caesar to Edward Hircum. Caesar negotiated an oral contract with Taylor that, in return for Taylor buying Caesar from Hircum, Caesar would earn enough in six years to repay Taylor at Taylor's profit and Taylor would free Caesar. Taylor broke this oral contract by selling Caesar after the second year. Caesar sued for his freedom on the basis of the broken contract and, with John Lowell as his attorney, won his freedom from an ECCP jury and in Taylor's SCJ 1772 appeal.
Participants by Town Top
Essex County
Amesbury
Andover
- John Beverly Youngest son, enlisted in the 1760 War and lost both feet due to frostbite. Frequent petitioner for relief from town and state. Andover Selectmen in 1775 advertised against trusting him.
- Booso Negro man. Labourer.
- Moody Bridges
- Bristol Negro Laborer
- Casar Leather Dresser. Denied marriage to Tamar of Danvers, April 15, 1769.
- Philemon Chandler Father was a blacksmith.
- Samuel Chickering Currier. Owner of Booso.
- Captain John Farnum
- Joshua Felt
- John Foster Not clear which John Foster in Andover this is. Testimony is that owned a house but refused to sell to Casar and James Turner in 1768.
- Peter Frye Esq. Peter Frye, appointed [to the ECCP] January 15, 1772, was born in Andover in 1723 and graduated at Harvard in 17 44. He removed to Salem and taught school, and was also Colonel in the Militia and Register of Probate for Essex County from September 29, 1773, to the Revolution. He remained on the bench until the Revolution and being a Loyalist went to England where he died in 1820. Davis, History of Judiciary in Massachusetts
- Charles Furbush Yeoman Accused of currency forgery in 1771 along with his "Negro servant" Cesar (see Suffolk Files #132111 and #132112). Captain in Colonel Bridge's Regiment at Bunker Hill, 1775. Three sons died of illness in 1788. Acquired Pomp at 16 years old. Mistreated him and in 1795, Pomp murdered him. Pomp was publicly executed in Ipswich, the last public execution in Massachusetts.
- Tamar Graves Marriage to Casar denied by Taylor when both Casar and Tamer were Danvers residents April 15 1769. Identified as Indian woman. SCJ June Courrt refused testimony as Casar's wife. Lived as man and wife with Casar using last name of Dole in Andover and two children until her death at 76 years old in 1816.
- Benjamin Guilford
- Jonathan Holt Jr. Probably Jonathan Jr. born in Andover in 1728, died 1792. Yeoman.
- Kate
- Nancy Singlewoman. Listed in Inventory as "A Negro Girl named Nancy" valued at 40 pounds. Inventory dated June 29, 1763 from Probate Record #20506 Captain James Parker of Andover.
- John Nichols
- Timothy Osgood Jr.
- John Osgood Esq.
- Joseph Osgood Physician.
- Peter Osgood Jr. Merchant
- Thomas Osgood Yeoman. Owner of Prince.
- Dinah Parker Widow of Capt. James Parker who died in 1763 leaving "Negro girl named Nancy" valued at 40pounds.
- James Parker Jr. Husbandman
- Peter
- Samuel Phillips Esq.
- Salem Poor Purchased freedom from John Poor, Jr. July 1769 (recorded February 1772.) Married Dinah Parker, August 1771 who filed suit against her owner in ECCP September 1771. Highly respected Revolutionary war soldier.
- Prince Negro man. Labourer.
- Rose Negro woman. Singlewoman & Spinster.
- Abiel Stevens
- Timon Negro man Labourer
- James Turner According to John Foster's testimony, in 1768, John Turner was buying a house with Casar or assisting Casar with buying a house.
- Mr. John Willson
Beverly
- Caleb Balch
- Josiah Batchelder Jr. Father-in-law of Caleb Dodge
- Caleb Dodge
- Hannah Dodge Maiden Name was Rayment.
- Johnathan Hart
- Sarah Herrick Maiden name was Rayment.
- Juno Mother was a "North Carolina Indian" purchased in Portsmouth New Hampshire by Captain Henry Herrick of Beverly. Later willed to Herrick's daughter Mary Larcom wife of David Larcom. Married Jethro Thistle in 1751 and had eleven children. After Larcom's death, returned to Larcom's household but "claimed her freedom" for herself and her children.
- David Larcom Farmer, merchant, land speculator. Acquired Juno through marriage with Mary Larcom.
- Sampson
- Anthony Wood
Bradford (Haverhill)
Byfield (Newbury)
- Theophilus Parsons THEOPHILUS PARSONS (1750-1813). Harvard 1769. Studied law with Theophilus Bradbury and Edmund Trowbridge, qq.v. Admitted attorney, Cumberland Inferior Court, July 1774; attorney, SCJ, June 1776; barrister, ca. 1784. Practiced in Essex Co. Leading lawyer of the post-Revolutionary generation, having many later distinguished students, including JQA. Interested in science as well, producing essays on astronomy and geometry. Author of the Essex Result, report of the Essex Convention in opposition to the proposed Massachusetts Constitution of 1778. A leader in the Essex Junto at the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Delegate to the Massachusetts Ratification Convention, 178 8. Elected to the House, 1779, 1787-1791, 1805. Appointed Chief Justice of Massachusetts, 1806, serving until his death. DAB.
Danvers
- Thomas Chadwick Trader. Former owner of Timon.
- Ezekiel Cooper Attended ECCP Sept 1771 and SCJ June 1772 at Casar vs Taylor
- Hannah Cooper Summonsed to ECCP Sept 1771 for Casar vs Taylor, no record of attendance. Wife of Ezekiel Cooper
- Samuel Holton Physician Physcian, Elected Danvers Rep. to General Court 1768. ECCP Judge 1776 - 1808. Justice General Sessions of the Peace 35 years. JP for 15 years. Seved in Congress two years. Citation: "History of the town of Danvers, from its early settlement to the year 1848." Hanson, John Wesley, 1848.
- David Preston Nor of legal age in 1771/2; only "David Preston" found in surrounding area in 1771/2.
- Asa Putnam Attended SCJ Nov and SCJ June in Casar vs Taylor.
- Amos Smith Could be either Amos Smith (1724 - 1798), blacksmith, living in Danvers in 1771 or his son born 1748 and also living in Danvers in 1771.
- Bartholomew Smith Son of Walter Smith, nephew or cousin of Amos Smith. Cooper.
- Walter Smith Born in Salem, father of Bartholomew Smith (1751-) both of Danvers. Cooper.
- Rowland Thomas
- Anna Whittaker Likely to have been Hannah Knap, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Knap of Danvers, b. Sept 27, 1737. Married Abraham Whitteker, Danvers, April 28, 1762.
- Richard Whitteridge Summonsed and reimbursed for attendance at ECCP September 1771 for Casar vs Taylor. Housewright born in Beverly. Youngest child Ruth born September 22 1771. Wife Lydia died November 9, 1771. Remarried January 1774 and died falling from steeple of meetinghouse Nov. 1, 1774. Left estate valued at 358 pounds including 12 acres of woodland in Andover.
Danvers (Peabody)
Essex
Gloucester
Haverhill
- Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant Esq. NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGEANT (1731-1791). Harvard 1750,. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Oct. 1764; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Haverhill. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1767. Delegate to Second Provincial Congress, 177 5. Represented Haverhill in the House, 1776. Declined appointment to the Superior Court, Oct. 1775, but accepted appointment, Sept. 1776. Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. Appointed Chief Justice, 1 790. 12 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 574-580.
Ipswich
- Mark Howe
- Samuel Porter Esq.
- Jenny Slew
- Violet Cudjo Mother of Edward Lewis. Daughter of Lydia Dyer Robbins, "free Negro" and Cudjo. Granddaughter of Anthony and Amaritta, "free Negroes".
- John Whipple Jr
Lynn
- John Bryant Owned about 175 acres in Lynn and Reading at death in 1796.
- Moses Hart Gentleman Born 2-15-1727/8. Served in army, promoted to Captain 1758-1762. Married Lydia Fuller (1740-1766), on 12-5-1762. Daughter Lydia b. 10-7-1763. Wife died 1766. Father died 1774. Served as Captain in Siege of Boston but court-martialed in Sept. 1775 for stealing provisions and abusing his men.
- Ephraim Shelden
Manchester
Marblehead
Merrimac
Methuen
- Mr. William Newman A William Newmen married Hepzibah Morse in 1761. A William Newman also had two children with Mary in 1767 and 1769.
Middleton
- John Flint Owner of Primus who was summonsed for ECCP and SCJ Nov. 1771.
- Timothy Fuller Gentleman Slave owner, reputedly of 40 slaves. Bought Casar as 12 year old from "Guinea", speaking no English. Bound out to Taylor and later sold to Hircom.
- Josiah Hutchinson Husbandman Born in Salem, married to Sarah Dean of Salem, died 1782 intestate in Middleton.
- Primus Enslaved in Middleton by John Flint. John Flint owned grist and sawmills on Ipswich River between (now) North Reading and (now) Peabody. Primus was married to Pegg, also owned by Flint, on March 24, 1749. Primus was bequeathed in Flint's will dated 1773 to Jeremiah Flint. Pegg was bequeathed in will to Flint's wife Huldah and three other enslaved people, Jack, Kate and Cloe, were bequeathed in will to Flint children. Primus gave sworn testimony in 1771 on discussion with Taylor on Taylor's arrangement with Casar.
Newbury
- Daniel Hale Gentleman
- Cloe Hale Negro woman. Singlewoman.
- Nathaniel Hale Housejoiner.
- Jude Molatto Singlewoman "free woman born"
- John Knight
- Benjamin Woodbridge
- Joseph Woodbridge Boatbuilder
Newburyport
- Adventurer Negro man. Laborer.
- Daniel Farnham Esq. DANIEL FARNHAM ( 1719-1776). Harvard 173 9. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Nov. 1745; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Newburyport. Appointed Attorney General for York Co., 1744; Justice of the Peace, Essex Co., 1752. Loyalist in sympathy, but did not go into exile. 10 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 364-366.
- Charles Freeman
- Richard Greenleaf
- Casar Hendrick "Molatto man." Labourer. Baptised in First Presbyterian Church Newburyport. Had two children with Susannah - Elizabeth b. May 1, 1775 and Josiah b. July 2, 1777 d. May 1801, both listed under family name not under "Negroes".
- Seir Kimball
- Rufus King Esq. 1755-1827 Harvard 1777 Studied law in Newburyport under Theophilus Parsons. Admitted to the bar 1780. 1783: Elected to be Newburyport's representative at General Court. 1784: Elected to Continental Congress. Sponsored bill to not allow slavery in new territories. 1788 Moved to New York 1789 Elected to US Senate. 1796-1803; 1825-1826 U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain. Federalist; ran unsuccessfully for vice president in 1804 and 1808.
- Reverend John Lowell Newburyport minister; father of John Lowell, attorney.
- John Lowell Esq. JOHN LOWELL ( 1743-1802). Harvard 1760. Studied law with Oxenbridge Thacher, q. v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, May 1 7 6 5; barrister, June 1767. Practiced in Newburyport until 1777, thereafter in Boston. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1769. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, recanting several months later. Represented Newburyport in the House, 1776; Boston, 1778, 1780. Delegate to Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, 1779-1780. Served in Continental Congress, 1782-1783. Appointed to federal Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, 1782. Judge, United States District Court, Massachusetts, 1789. Appointed Chief Judge of the First Circuit in Feb. 1801 by JA - one of the "midnight judges." DAB; 1 Adams Family Correspondence 405-406. His papers are in MHi.
- Pomp Somerset
- Richard Vanderhoaf Merchant.
Peabody
Rowley
Salem
- James Bolt Owns shop in Salem. Buys and sells skins.
- Nathan Brown Gentleman Born in Newbury, 1713, still owned house and land in Newburyport at death in Salem in 1778.
- William Browne Esq WILLIAM BROWNE (1737-1802). Harvard 1755. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v., but never practiced. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Briefly Collector of the Port of Salem, 1764, but dismissed, apparently in scandal over counterfeit clearances. Represented Salem in the House, 1762-1768. One of the seventeen "Rescinders" who voted to withdraw resolutions protesting the Townshend Acts, 1768. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1770-1774. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Appointed Judge of the Superior Court and a Mandamus Councilor, 1774. Took refuge in Boston. In 1776 sailed for England. Proscribed, 1778. Governor of Bermuda, 178 1-178 8. 13 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 551-560.
- John Cushing Esq.
- Benjamin Lynde Jr., Esq.
- Andrew Oliver Jun. Esq. Harvard 1749. Son of Lt. Gov. Andrew Fitch (1706 - 1774) Nephew of Chief Justice Peter Oliver. Married (1752) Mary Lynde, daughter of Judge Benjamin Lynde. Moved to Salem @ 1760. Appointed to ECCP Nov. 19, 1761. "Largely uninterested in politics or his legal career." Scientist. 1763 Elected as Salem Rep. to General Court. 1764 published account of illness among Native Americans in Martha's Vineyard. 1772 published "An Essay on Comets in Two Parts."1773 elected to American Philosophical Society. 1774 Declined appointment to Mandamus Council. 1775 Recanted Address to Hutchinson. 1780 elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Suffered from severe gout for 16 years before death in 1799.
- William Pynchon Esq. WILLIAM PYNCHON (1723-1789). Harvard 1743. Studied law with Mitchell Sewall, Essex Co. Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds. Admitted attorney, SCJ, June 1757; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Essex Co. Had many students, including William Wetmore, q.v., later his son-in-law. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1761. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, but recanted. Addresser of Gage, 1774. Although remaining firmly loyalist in sympathy, he braved out the Revolution in Salem, continuing to practice law in partnership with Wetmore, and finally being appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1786.
- Honorable Nathaniel Ropes Esq. NATHANIEL ROPES (1726-1774). Harvard 1745. Had no formal legal training. Represented Salem in the House, 1760-1761. Councilor, 1762-1769, supporting policies of Hutchinson. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1761. Judge, Essex Inferior Court, 1761-1772. Essex Co. Judge of Probate, 1766-1772. Justice, Superior Court, [Januiary 15] 1772-1774. His death was hastened by the agitation over the royal salary grant, which he renounced on his deathbed. 11 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 572-574.
Salisbury
- Honorable Caleb Cushing Esq. Magistrate in Salisbury for fifty years. Member of Governor's Council 1771 - 1774. Quartermaster in Essex Regiment. Delegate in 1778 to constitutional convention, Served in provincial congress.
Saugus
Swampscott
Topsfield
Wenham
Middlesex County
Cambridge
- Edmund Trowbridge Esq. EDMUND TROWBRIDGE (1709-1793). Harvard 1728. Used the name "Goffe" until well into middle life, after his uncle and guardian, Col. Edmund Goffe. Admitted attorney, SCJ, July 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced primarily in Middlesex Co. Considered the most scholarly lawyer and judge of the pre-Revolutionary period. Many of his students went on to great success at the bar. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 1739. Attorney General, 1749-1767. Represented Cambridge in the House, 1750-1752, 1755, 1763. Member of the Council, 1764-1766, where he supported Crown policies. Justice of Superior Court, 1767-1775, bringing to the bench legal knowledge which many of his fellow judges lacked. Pleadings and opinions in the field of real property reprinted and cited by Massachusetts lawyers into the 19th century. Renounced the royal salary grant, 1774, and thereafter remained a neutral, withdrawing from public life to devote himself to legal research and study. 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 507-520; DAB.
Reading
- Stephen Buxton Yeoman On 1771 Voting Rolls for Reading, MA.
- Ezra Damon Enrolled as voter in Second Parish, Reading in 1771. Left two farms worth $3500.
- Edward Hircom Gentleman
- Mr. James Otis Jr. Lawyer. Wrote on natural rights for all, 'white or black.' Died while being cared for in Andover.
- Martha Rolf Lived in Reading. Married to Daniel Rolf. Eight children between 1741 - 1757.
- Daniel Rolf Married to Martha Rolf. Eight children between 1741 and 1757. Private in 1758 Canadian expedition in the Middleton Company under Capt. Andrew Fuller, Col. Jonathan Bagley's Regiment. Land records show that he and Martha sold 1 acre of property to Samuel Taylor in 1768.
- Timothy Russell
- Margaret Russell Wife of Timothy Russell. Summonsed to SCJ Nov. No Record of attendance.
- Abraham Shelden 1771 Voter in South Parish, Reading.
- Mr. Samuel Taylor
Hampshire County
Suffolk County
Boston
- Lydia Dyer Robbins Mother of Violet Cudjo, Grandmother of Edward Lewis
- Jeremiah Gridley JEREMIAH GRIDLEY (1702-1767). Harvard 1725. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Feb. 1732; barrister, Aug. 1762. (Sometimes called Jeremy.) The leading lawyer of his time. Many of the outstanding lawyers of the next generation studied under him, including William Cushing, James Otis, Benjamin Prat, and Oxenbridge Thacher, qq.v. Others, notably JA, were deeply influenced by his knowledge of the law. Founder of the "sodality," a legal discussion group in which JA participated, 1765. Broadly interested in literary matters as well, founding the Weekly Rehearsal (1731) and (with others) the American Magazine (1743). Appointed Justice of the Peace and of tl1e Quorum, 1746. Represented Brookline in the House frequently, 1755-1767. Appointed Attorney General, 1767. Represented the Crown in the argument on writs of assistance in 1761 (No. 44), but appeared with JA before the Council in 1765 to argue on behalf of the merchants of Boston that the courts be opened during the Stamp Act crisis. 7 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 5 18-53 o .
- Honorable Thomas Hutchinson Esq. THOMAS HUTCHINSON (1711-1780). Harvard 1727. Had no formal legal training. The most important figure on the loyalist side in pre-Revolutionary Massachusetts. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1740. Served in the House, 1739-1749, and on the Council, 1749-1766. Expert on provincial currency and credit. Lieutenant Governor, 1758-1771, serving as acting Governor from 1769 until his appointment as Governor in 177 1. Chief Justice, 1760-1771 (did not sit after 1769). Also served as judge of the uffolk Inferior Court, 1752-1758, and as Suffolk County Judge of Probate, 1752-1769. As judge and Governor, involved in the major political events of the period, including the arguments on writs of assistance (No. 44), the Stamp Act crisis, the Boston Massacre (Nos. 63, 64), the burning of the Gaspee, and the Boston Tea Party. Called to England in r 774 and relieved as Governor; never returned to Massachu- etts. Author of History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts Bay, a thoughtful and scholarly work, of principal value for its account of his own administration (first published in 3 vols., 1764-1828; ed. Lawrence ,haw Mayo, Cambridge, Mass., 1936, 3 vols.). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 149-215.
- Peter Oliver Esq. PETER OLIVER ( 1713-179 1). Harvard 1730. Had no formal legal training. Early Plymouth Co. industrialist, with poetic talent. Leading loyalist. Related to the Hutchinsons by marriage. Appointed Justice of the Peace, 1744 Judge, Plymouth Inferior Court, 1747-1756. Justice, Superior Court, 1756-1772; Chief Justice, 1772-1775. Represented Middleboro in the House, 1749, 1751, and sat on the Council, 1759-1766, upholding the crown position. Impeached as Chief Justice by the House, 1774 for refusmg to reject the royal salary grant. Jurors refused to serve under him thereafter. Appointed a Mandamus Councilor, 1774, and served on that body, taking refuge in Boston. Sailed to Halifax, 1776, and then to London. Proscribed, 1778. In retirement wrote Origin and Progress of the Anumcan Rebellion, a lengthy and very partisan account of the political events which he had witnessed (ed. Douglass Adair and John A. Schutz an Marino, Calif., 1963). 8 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 737-763:
- Mr. Oxenbridge Thacher Lawyer.
Worcester County
Worcester
- James Putnam Esq. JAMES PUTNAM (1726-1789). Harvard 1746. Studied law with Edmund Trowbridge, q.v. Admitted attorney, SCJ, Sept. 1749; barrister, Aug. 1762. Practiced in Worcester. JA studied law in his office, 1756-1758. Appointed Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, I 762. Addresser of Hutchinson, 1774, and Gage, 1775. Took refuge in Boston, 1774, and appointed Attorney General, 1775. Sailed for Halifax, 1776, then to New York, where he held a military post. Proscribed, 1778. Lived in England, 1779-1784. Then moved to New Brunswick as Judge of the Supreme Court and member of the Council. I 2 Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates 57-66.