Levi Brown (b. ? - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-5942
Accomplice to slave flight, Frederick County, Maryland, 1855
Biography:
Levi Brown, one of William Lumbudd's thirteen slaves, was indicted by
the Grand Jury of Frederick County for assisting a slave of Somerset R.
Waters to run away from his master. The Frederick County Criminal
Docket shows that Brown was presnted for "Assisting Negroes to abscond",
and he was arraigned on October 30, 1858, pleading not guilty. Brown's
case was presented, along with three Free Blacks: Abraham Lowry, Caleb
Burgess & David Biggers, all charged with "Assisting Negroes to abscond."
Levi Brown is listed among the state's witnesses for each case against
the Free Blacks. Each of them plead not guilty, but each was found
guilty on November 11, 1855, and sentenced to be sold as a slave for life
outside the state of Maryland. "Levi Brown was recommended to executive
clemency by John A. Lynch State's Attorney for Frederick County for the
reason that the said Levi turned state's witness without whose testimony
it was impossible to convict others who were connected with him."1
Brown's testimony convicted all of the other parties involved with him,
and Brown was granted a Nolle Prosequi by Governor Thomas H. Hicks on December
2, 1858. The Nolle Prosequi was granted on the condition that he
be sold out of the State of Maryland.
1. SECRETARY OF STATE (Pardon Record) MSA S1108,
Levi Brown, slave, page 258, Dates: 1845-1865, Accession No.: 7931, MSA
No.: S
1108-2.
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