Jem (b. ? - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-51603
Slave Pardoned for Crime in Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Biography:
Negro Jem was born into slavery circa mid-18th century in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 1 Jem was "the Slave of a Certain John Legg Junior," of the same county. 2 On June 20, 1775, Jem was suspected of breaking and entering into a "Meat House" owned by Benjamin Walters. 3 According to the commission record, the door was "secured with a Lock" before the suspect committed the felony. 4 Jem was accused of stealing "Fifty pounds of Bacon of the Value of Three Pence Sterling Money of Great Britain." 5
Negro Jem was convicted of the felony in August 1775 by Thomas Wright, Esq. and other Justices of Queen Anne's County. 6 Despite being convicted of the crime, Negro Jem was declared "a proper Object of our (State of Maryland) Mercy." 7 Negro Jem was officially pardoned on December 21, 1775 without having to "suffer any Corporal punishment." 8 Benjamin Walters could have appealed the case, but an unsuccessful appeal could have led to serious consequences for him. 9 The consequences were suffering one year imprisonment, paying a fine to the king, and was liable to the appellee for damages. 10 To make an appeal caused great risk to the appellent, but these punishments were necessary to prevent malicious appeals. 11 Negro Jem was convicted of the crime, but was pardoned by the Governor of Maryland.
Endnotes:
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. C. Ashley Ellefson. "An Appeal of Murder in Maryland." The South Atlantic Quarterly, Vol. LXVII, No. 3, p. 527-541. Summer 1968. p. 529.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
Researched and Written by Tanner Sparks, 2012.
Return to Jem's Introductory Page
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