Judith (b. ? - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-51608
Slave Pardoned for Crime in Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Negro Judith was pardoned for a crime she allegedly committed in the late 18th century. Judith was born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland with her slave owner being John Shannahane. 1 According to the criminal judgment record, Judith was considered a "spinster." 2 A spinster was typically referred to as an old maid and childless woman that has never been married. On January 19, 1774, Judith was charged with the alleged offense of arson. 3 At the Talbot County court house on the first Tuesday in March 1774, Judith was convicted of arson. 4
There was a petit jury made up of "twelve Jurors Good and Lawfull Men of the County" to submit a verdict after hearing the case. 5 The case read that Judith did "feloniously willfully and maliciously did Burn Consume and Destroy" the dwelling house of John Shannahane by setting fire to it. 6 She was placed under the custody of "high Sheriff of Talbot County," William Thomas, Esq. Judith insisted that she was not guilty of the crime, but the jury would decide otherwise. 7 During the March Court of 1774, the jury found Judith guilty of the crime of arson. 8
After Judith was found guilty, it was decided that she "taken to the prison from whence she came and from thence be drawn to the place of Execution her right hand to be cut of, then to be hanged in the Usual manner, her head to be severed from her Body, her Body to be Divided in four Quarters and head and Quarters to be set up in the most public places of the County" near the place the act was committed. 9 Judith was nearly subjected to the harshness of colonial "justice." The intention of colonial "justice" was to dissuade other slaves from committing crimes of this nature.
On April 22, 1774, after being declared "a proper Object of our (the council in Maryland) Mercy," Negro Judith was officially granted a pardon by the state. 10 After being convicted of the crime, the council granted "unto her our firm peace and will not that she suffer any Corporal Punishment." 11 It's unknown as to why Judith did not become a victim of colonial "justice" and was spared for her alleged offense.
Endnotes:
1. TALBOT COUNTY COURT (Criminal Record) 1767-1774. March Court 1774. Negro Judith. MdHR Number 9082. MSA C1857-6. ; MARYLAND STATE PAPERS (Black Books) 1706-1775. Book 9. Folio 156. Negro Judith. MdHR Number 4634. MSA S987-16. (Both documents are the same)
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
Researched and Written by Tanner Sparks, 2012.
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