Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Sampson (b. ? - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-51602
Slave Pardoned for Crime in Dorchester County, Maryland

Biography:

    Negro Sampson was born a slave in Great Choptank Parish, Dorchester County, Maryland. 1  As a slave, Sampson was owned by John Rider, Esq. and he performed duties as a "labourer." 2  On February 6, 1737/8,* Sampson was suspected of breaking and entering a storehouse owned by Richard Gildart, Esq. in the Great Choptank Parish. 3  Sampson was accused of stealing the following items: "3 1/2 yards of white Linen of the Value of Seven Shillings Current money 1 1/2 yard of check'd Linen of the Value of Two Shillings Six Pence like Money and a pair of Horses Fleame of the Value of One Shilling like Money." 4 

    Despite, being a suspect and accused of committing this crime, Negro Sampson was spared "corporal punishment." 5  He was considered to be "a proper Object of Our Mercy," according to the State of Maryland. 6  Negro Sampson was pardoned for his crime under the "humble Advice of the Board to his Excellency (Governor Samuel Ogle, Esq.)." 7  Sampson was officially pardoned on May 18, 1738. 8  It is unknown as to why Negro Sampson was declared an object of mercy, but he was able to escape the harsh penalties of colonial "justice."

* Note: In 1752, England and its colonies switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Thus, the first day of the year went from occurring on March 25 to occurring on January 1. As a result, eleven days were lost in the month of September 1752, meaning September 2, 1752 was followed by September 14, 1752. Records prior to 1752 often use a double dating system (example: 1730/1) for the months of January through March. When looking at Quaker records, the month is written as a numeral, so it is important to keep in mind that they were using the Julian calendar prior to the switch. Thus, the 6th month would be August rather than June for dates prior to 1752. For more information on this change, see a description in the January 2, 1752 edition of the Maryland Gazette, view the actual Calendar Act of 1750 passed by Parliament, or read a summary by Connecticut State Library.

Endnotes:

1. GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL (Commission Record) 1733-1773. May 18, 1738. Negro Sampson. Folio 59. MdHR Number 4012-1. MSA S1080-4.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND ONLINE. Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1732:1753. Vol. 28, pg. 136, 137.

8. GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL (Commission Record) 1733-1773. May 18, 1738. Negro Sampson. Folio 59.

Researched and Written by Tanner Sparks, 2012. 

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