Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #49 from Abstracts of Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775-1867

Part of Series B
Microfilm Reel in Collection Series 11
Microfilm Frame on Reel 1016
Accession Number (identifies petition on microfilm) 20986603
County Talbot
State Maryland
Year Legislative Petition Filed 1866
Abstract of Petition Mark Cornish, a free person of color, hired out his minor son, James Henry Cornish, to William Turner "on condition that said boy was willing to live with the said Turner." After being beaten and whipped by Turner, James Cornish ran home to his father. Turner came to Cornish's home and "against the protest of your petitioner," reclaimed the boy, took him to the home of Hannah Dudley and "stripped and most cruelly and unmercifully beat said boy." The petitioner claims that James is "unlawfully restrained of his rights and liberty" by Turner. Cornish claims that he is "entitled to the management and control" of his son and asks that a writ of habeas corpus be issued for his son and "the infant...delivered into [his] custody and care.

If you are citing this record, please use the following format:

[Author (if known)], Abstracts of Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775-1867, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

Pinned records can be viewed at any time by clicking the More menu in the top right corner of the page, then selecting My Pinned Records.