Matthew Ashby

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Matthew Ashby was born in York County, Virginia, in 1727. He is a notable and rare example of the successful escape from slavery and indentured servitude. The son of a black slave and a white indentured servant, he was born free under Virginia law, which at the time gave children the legal status of their mothers. Ashby worked around the Williamsburg area as a carter and carpenter. He was also known to deliver messages for the state, working for Governor Botetourt. Although he himself was indentured until the age of 31 he managed to acquire many things that were well out of the realm of the average slave or servant, including a silver watch, candle making supplies, tea boards, and books.

In time Matthew would marry Ann, a slave of the bricklayer, Samuel Spurr. They had two children named John and Mary, who attended the Bray school, where a Mrs. Wager taught them of the Church of England catechism as well as other subjects. Matthew was able to use his free status to buy his children and wife from Spurr, at the cost of 150 pounds.

Despite owning his own children and wife Ashby still had to petition the government for their freedom. Standing before the council Ashby proclaimed that his wife had been faithful and diligent in all her wifely duties, and that his children were also deserving of their freedom. The council deliberated and found that they agreed with his proposal and his family was granted their freedom in 1769. Two years later Ashby died, having freed his family from slavery and amassing a sizable estate with monetary value well above the average indentured servant or slave.