Joseph Knight (slave) facts for kids

Joseph Knight was a man born in West Africa who was forced into slavery. He was brought to Jamaica, a British colony, and sold to a Scottish man named John Wedderburn of Ballindean. Wedderburn made Joseph work in his home. In 1769, Wedderburn took Joseph with him when he moved back to Scotland.

Joseph later decided to leave Wedderburn's service. Wedderburn had him arrested. Joseph fought for his freedom in court. He was inspired by a case in England called Somersett's Case (1772). In that case, courts decided that slavery did not exist under English law. Joseph Knight won his case after two appeals. This important decision helped establish that Scots law would not support slavery. However, some enslaved coal miners and salt workers in Scotland had to wait longer for their freedom.

Joseph Knight's Early Life

Joseph Knight was born in a region of West Africa called Guinea. We do not know his original name or which specific group of people he belonged to. As a child, he was taken from his home and brought to the British colony of Jamaica. There, he was sold as a slave to John Wedderburn of Ballindean.

The Fight for Freedom: Knight v. Wedderburn

While living in Scotland, Joseph Knight was baptized. He also married Ann Thompson, who was a servant for the Wedderburn family. They had at least one child together. Joseph wanted to live with his wife and family, but Wedderburn refused to let him. Because of this, Joseph left Wedderburn's service.

Wedderburn was very angry. He felt he had been kind to Joseph by educating him and taking care of him. So, Wedderburn had Joseph arrested. In 1774, Joseph Knight brought a case to the justices of the peace court in Perth. This case became known as Knight v. Wedderburn.

First Appeal: To the Sheriff

The local justices of the peace first sided with Wedderburn. Joseph Knight then appealed their decision. He took his case to the Sheriff of Perth, John Swinton. Sheriff Swinton decided that "the state of slavery is not recognised by the laws of this kingdom." This meant that slavery was not allowed in Scotland. He also said that the rules about slaves in Jamaica did not apply in Scotland.

Second Appeal: To Scotland's Highest Court

In 1777, Wedderburn appealed the sheriff's decision. He took the case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh, which is Scotland's highest civil court. Wedderburn argued that Joseph still owed him service forever. He also claimed he should be able to force Joseph to return to Jamaica.

The case was heard by all twelve judges of the court. Important lawyers like Allan Maconochie and John Maclaurin represented Joseph Knight. Henry Dundas, a powerful lawyer at the time, also helped Joseph. They argued that "no man is by nature the property of another." They said that even though slavery was legal in Jamaica, it could not be legal in Scotland.

Wedderburn's lawyers argued that Scotland's wealth depended on trade. They said that business interests should be more important.

The Court of Session voted eight to four in favor of Joseph Knight. They agreed with the sheriff's decision. They stated that "the state of slavery is not recognised by the laws of this kingdom." This meant slavery was against the principles of Scottish law. The court rejected Wedderburn's claim for Joseph's service.

One of the judges, Lord Kames, said, "we sit here to enforce right not to enforce wrong." Another judge, Lord Auchinleck, said that even though people in the colonies had enslaved Black people, it was not right. He added, "Is a man a slave because he is black? No. He is our brother; and he is a man, although not our colour; he is in a land of liberty, with his wife and his child: let him remain there."

This ruling meant that Scottish law did not recognize slavery. People who had escaped slavery could be protected by the courts. They could not be forced back into slavery in the colonies.

Joseph Knight's Life After the Case

After the court's decision, Joseph Knight was recognized as a free man. His wife, Ann, had been fired by Wedderburn after their marriage. After this important court case, Joseph and his family disappear from historical records. We do not know what happened to them next.

Legacy of the Case

In December 2022, Sir Geoff Palmer and Lord Carloway, a top judge, unveiled a plaque. This plaque honors the 1778 case. It reminds everyone that the ruling made slavery incompatible with Scottish law.

See also

• Colliers and Salters (Scotland) Act 1775
• Dunlop Street
• List of slaves
• Slavery at common law § Joseph Knight's case