New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-19
IMPORTANT TRIAL.

An interesting trial. involving the right OF fugitive
saves to hold property and the validity of slave mar
risges he's recently been tried in Philadelpha' We
annex the case:
Thompson ast Wilson-In the district court for the
city and county Ct Philadelphia Oct II, l'55.-Ihis
was an action OF Jectms TO recover TIE of
house and lot on the north eide OF Carlton street,
The plaintiff was the daughter of Robert Thompson,
a coOred msn, who was slave in Virginia, ana ran
away and came into Pennsylvania about 1888 or lsJo
AID in 1912 purchased the lot Of ground in question
and built house on it. Il was in evidence that he
lived and cohabited with free coored woman in Viz
ginia TO whom he was reputed to be married, and by
Whom he bad ten children, Of whom the plaintiff was
The only survivor - -,
After he came 70 Pennsylvania he sent for this
woman; but before she arrived here he formed an &C.
quaint ance with another woman, whom be atferward
n anied The wife from Virginia also married again
after her arrival here. He died about 1850, leayag
both wives, and the plaintiff surviving him. Toe
fms. wife is since dead. The property was in posses
zion of the tenants Of the second wife, and the plaintiff
c'smed az heir Of Robert Thompson. The Judge
cf nrged as follows:
Sherwood p l. This is a curious and interesting
cage Robert Thompson was slave. lie married
free woman In Virginia. then ran away came to Phua
dephia, married another woman, pur nasea tne o' OF
round in question, improved il, and died. The PLAIN
tiff IL the emily survivor Of ten children by the woman
whom he had In Virginia. II the last wife OF Robert
Thompson was his lawful wife, she Is entitled TO the
property.
own title II any person else has better title she
not recover There two questions OF interest
presented in this Gaze.
81. Could Robert Thompson, runaway Save
hold property In Pennsylvania
az think he could except thai he could be re-
claimed BY his master be had all the rights OF free.
man. The act Of Assembly OF l7eO having abolished
slavery in Pennsylvania, he Is 70 be dee med ana al
iudged freeman except for reclamation by his mas
ter Until fugitive slsVe recovered ~ his msster,
be ia 70 be deemed TO have all bis civil rights As be-
tn esn himself and all ether persons, except the IN NJ
ter he Ia to be adjadged a freeman. Ii the master
should come and claim the property IL would present
a different question which am not now called on 70
d. eide go,
49, Was the pIaintif legitimate child Of Robert
Thompson
Tbis j. to be judged Of by The law of Pennsylvs-
MIA. The law Of Virginia which legitimates the chill
dren Of uull marriages, hes Do power 70 make BAG
tsrd a legitimate child, 70 inherit property ia
PENIS, lvania. Were Robert Thompson and his wife
living in lawful wedoek at the time OF the birth oil tne
plaintiff That depends Oh the law OF Virginia. We
are without evidence as to what that law Is respecting
the narrisge Of slaves
"No civil rights, as against the master, can be ac-
ouired BY the marriage; but az between tie slave.
Themselves | am rot satisfied that the marriage ana
liz effects a1e not valid. The Jaw Of the forum IN the
abseroe Of proof Of what Is necessary 70 CONSTITUTE
valid marriage contracted elsewhere Is The ru Oh es.
dence. Cob ,biation and reputation are evneuce VI
marriage in Penn sylyebia, and a lawful mart We may
be inferred from them. / see 70 reason |"
this Gaze from any other. ,.. p.Lo-.
Ttomrson and this woman lived aud cohsblted to-
2etber as man and wife 10 Virginia: inefe ~ some
Tide difference in the testimony Of the witnessed
Scme al they lived ard cohsbied "a man aud vile
$4,000 DO And | will reserve for the Court 10
bsnc vte<her upon the whole evidence the plaintiff
entitled TO recover.
Verdict for the plaintiff.