1807-007: James Geekie vs. Phil (enslaved), etc.

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James Geekie immigrated from Scotland at the request of a wealthy relative named John White a resident of Albemarle County. White offered to leave his estate to Geekie to encourage him to immigrate. Soon after Geekie's arrival, Geekie claims White began to mistreat him. Upon his death, White refused to live up to his promise made to Geekie except for a small amount of land in Kentucky. In his will, James White emancipated the individuals he enslaved and gave them all of his estate. Geekie made claim to a portion of the estate the enslaved people inherited. Rather than file suit for the property for concern it would delay, perhaps permanently, their emancipation, both parties went to arbitration where an agreement was reached in which Geekie received one-third of the estate. Geekie still had to file suit against the enslaved people because the court had to ensure the interest of the enslaved infants were ensured.

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