Comments on: “hundreds of the descendants of Indians have obtained their freedom:” Freedom Suits in 18th & 19th Century Virginia

By: BELL Melungeon

BELL Melungeon — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 02:41:06 +0000

1 PENNY!!! How do you get change for that? Keep your lousy penny Im outta here! … p.s. What a sad and shameful past this country has!

By: Bari

Bari — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 19:02:01 +0000

Thanks for reading the blog and commenting! Freedom suits generally awarded one penny in damages with the decision. The court system in Virginia made it difficult enough for slaves to successfully sue for their freedom, and we have never come across a case in which a former slave went back to court to sue for further damages.

By: Freedom Suits in Virginia | Native Heritage Project

Freedom Suits in Virginia | Native Heritage Project — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:09:06 +0000

[...] article, “Hundreds of the Descendants of Indians Have Obtained Their Freedom”: Freedom Suits in 18th and … discusses several of these suits, the history behind them, and near the end, how to use the [...]

By: Thomas Hay

Thomas Hay — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:09:06 +0000

Having known of Robin v Hardaway for years, I find it interesting that freedom could be judicial awarded but wonder about damages for years of unlawful bondage. Was that ever sought?