Fugitive slave, 1837

The Bucks County Gazette
January 8, 1885

Bucks County had a fugitive slave case in her courts in 1837. In that year Thomas E. Sollers, a resident of Maryland, made his appearance in the county for the purpose of apprehending his alleged slave, Ephraim. The slave was lodged in jail on a warrant.
David Paul Brown and Thomas Ross were engaged to conduct the case of the negro, who was brought before Judge Fox on a writ of habeas corpus. Abel M. Griffiths represented Sellers.
On the day fixed for the hearing the court house was crowded to witness the legal proceedings. Many colored people were present. It was reported by some that certain of them were armed and had expressed a disposition to rescue the prisoner by force if he was not released by the decision of the Court.
The anti-slavery feeling was running high at the time and all classes became deeply interested in the fate of Ephraim. The first hearing was held in July. Ephraim's counsel secured a postponement on account of the absence of a witness.
On the first of August the case came on again. Mr. Griffiths said he was ready to show that the prisoner was born a slave and that Sollers became his owner by the laws of Maryland. Judge Fox held that the first step was to show that the person arrested under the fugitive slave law owed service or labor to the person claiming him under the laws of the State where the claimant lived.
Mr. Griffiths then offered in evidence a book which he said contained the laws of Maryland. Counsel for Ephraim objected to the admission of the book because there was nothing in the volume to show that it had been issued by public authority, that it had been printed apparently by private parties. The point was argued and Judge Fox sustained the objection.
Mr. Griffiths then asked for further time to make out his case. The Court refused to hold Ephraim any longer, and he was discharged. When the decree was announced the crowd broke out in a tremendous demonstration of applause, and Ephraim was triumphantly carried out of the court room by his colored friends with a mighty shout, which the court officers endeavored in vain to suppress.