Butler v. Delaplaine, 7 Serg. & Rawle 378 (Pa. 1821)

Henry Butler, his wife Charity Butler, and their children Harriet Butler and Sophia Butler (plaintiffs) against John Delaplaine (defendant) regarding Charity Butler’s status as a free woman. Charity Butler was previously enslaved to Norman Bruce, and later sold to Cleland, who entered into a contract regarding Charity’s service and care with Gilleland. Charity was enslaved to the wife of Gilleland after separation from her husband, during which time she worked in Pennsylvania occaisonally, before Gilleland returned Charity to Norman Bruce in the state of Maryland. Decision: judgement affirmed.