Case Name: SIMMONS v. GIRD
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1814-04
Citations: 22 F. Cas. 157
Docket Number: 
Parties: SIMMONS v. GIRD.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 22
Pages: 157–157

Head Matter:
Case No. 12,867.
SIMMONS v. GIRD.
[2 Cranch, C. C. 100.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
April Term, 1814.
Slavery — Suit fob Freedom — One Tear’s Resi dence.
The time of a slave's sailing on a voyage from Alexandria, is not' to be considered as a part of his year’s residence so as to entitle .him to freedom, under the Virginia law of December 17, 1792, § 2.
[This was an action by negro Robert Simmons against John Gird.]

Opinion:
The plaintiff was a slave, brought into Alexandria, whence he sailed on a voyage, and returned to Alexandria, but was not "kept therein one whole year together, or so long, at different times, as amounted to one year," unless the time of his sailing on the voyage should be included.
This being stated in a special verdict, THE COURT rendered judgment for the defendant.