John Shaw (b. ? - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-5941
Accomplice to slave flight, Frederick County, Maryland, 1855
Biography:
John Shaw, of Frederick County, was charged, along with his brother Zachariah Shaw, with the crime of enticing slaves to run away. Their trials began during the March 1855 term of the Frederick county Circuit Court. The court found Zachariah Shaw guilty, and denied his request for a new trial. ON March 8, 1865, he recieved a sentence of six years and two months confinement in the Maryland Penitentiary. Menwhile, the court delayed John Shaw's trial until its October term, for the purpose of using his testimony on behalf of the State. Governor Thomas Watkins Ligon granted John Shaw a Nolle Prosequi on October 24, 1855, because "The testimony of the said John Shaw has been used by the State's Attorney of said county on behalf of the State against his accomplices for which reason among the others the States Attorney has united in the petition for a Nolle Prosequi on behalf of the said John Shaw."1 John testified in the case of State v. John Morgan. ON the same day, the Governor also granted John Shaw a pardon, upon the condition that he leave the state of Maryland within six months, and never return. The State's Attorney, judges, and numerous citizens of Frederick County recommended clemency for Zachariah Shaw. governor Thomas Watkins Ligon granted a pardon to Zachariah Shaw on March 16, 1857, over a year after his brother's pardon.
1. SECRETARY OF STATE (Pardon Record) MSA S1108, John
Shaw, pp 203-204, October 22, 1855, MdHR 7931, MSA S 1108-2, Location 2/26/5/30.
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