Status of Mary Walter
In the diff
depending at this ct btwn John Sampson & Eliz his wife plts agt Joseph
Walters & Mary his wife defts Negroes in an action of trespass assault
& battery wherein it evidently appearing that she sd Mary hath most notoriously
& wickedly abused Eliz not only by words but alsoe by blows & offered
great violence upon her w/unlawfull wepons continuing her threats of a further
revenge upon Eliz whereupon it is ord that the sherr take Mary into his custody
& give her 29 lashes on her bare back & from thence to comitt her to
close prison until she give sec for her future good behavior during the cts
pleasure & have satisfyed & pd all costs of suite due to the plt.
There haveing been
brought to this ct diverse actions of trespass assault & battery agt Mary
Walters a Negroe wife of Joseph Walters in YC whoe pretends herself a free
woman & likewise a gennll complaint agt her to be of that wicked &
dangerous life & conversation both by her actions & expressions &
threats in soe much it is believed & adjudged the issue of her ungovernd
life will prove of dangerous consequence if some cause be not speedily taken to
prevent her wherefore it is ord that she be well secured in ord to her
transportation out of this collony if she cannot prove her freedom & that
the sherr present the humble addresses of this ct to his Excell. the Gov for
his pleasure to be known therein.
In persuance of an
ord of Nov ct last Mary Walters being now brought upon her tryall at this ct to
prove her former assertions & pretence of being a free Negro whoe not being
in the least capable of maintaining the same but that she formerly was a slave
& never otherwise knowne amongst her neighbors she having now neither
grounds nor placesable circumstances to prove her imediate condicon to be
otherwise then a slave It is therefore ord that the sherr take her into safe
custody & secure her in close prisson until an opportunity presents to
expose her to saile to such person as will give bond for her exportation out of
Va during which time the sherr is ord to take care that she want not suff for
her natureall support & that the county charge & other fees & dues
which have & hereafter shall arise by her be reimburst & pd out of the
produce of such consideration when sold etc.