State v. Lyon, 1 N.J.L. 403 (1789)

New Jersey against Lyon (defendant) regarding the status of Margaret as a slave. Margaret was the daughter of Flora, an enslaved woman who was sold by Zaccheus Mayew to Lucy Little. Lucy Little, a widow, married Joseph Eaton and came with her son William Little to New Jersey from Massachusetts. Flora was sold by Eaton to John Worthley and later John Williams; during this time she had a daughter, Rose, before being sold back to Eaton. On the death of Eaton, Flora was considered a free woman and married Joseph Reap, a free Black man; they had two children, Lydia and Margaret. Margaret was forcibly captured, but William Little has since claimed manumission of Flora and her children. Decision: enslaved person released.