Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #101 from Laws and Legislation Related to Slavery and Free Blacks in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (1642-1860)

Date 1769
Law/Legislation Law
Jurisdiction VA
Title Chapter XIX
Description/Full Text The taker-up of a runaway at his option may convey him to his owner, or if the owner is not in the county, carry him to gaol, and the gaoler shall advertise a description of the runaway in the Virginia Gazette for three weeks. Whereas many owners of slaves in consideration of wages to be paid by such slaves license them to go at large, to trade as free men, which is a great encouragment to theft and other evil practices by the slaves, in order to enable them to fulfill their agreements with their owners; it is enacted that if any owner license a slave to trade as a free man, he shall forfeit the sum of ten pounds in current money for the use of the poor of the parish, to be recovered by the church wardens.
Additional Information
Source Black Laws of Virginia, By: June Purcell Guild
Transcriber Notes

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[Author (if known)], Laws and Legislation Related to Slavery and Free Blacks in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (1642-1860), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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