Fourth Generation Inclusive

State v. Zadock Roland, 28 N.C. 241 (1846).

At the Spring Term, 1844, of Guilford County Superior Court, Zadock Roland, a free negro, was found guilty of living and co-habiting with a female slave named Peggy, the property of George Albright.  Two years later, at Spring Term 1846, Roland came into court for judgment. He “resisted the motion, because, as he then said, the master of the slave Peggy had originally given his consent to their marriage and co-habitation.” If true, Roland should have been found not guilty. However, he did not raise the defense at trial and raising it post-conviction was too late. Judgment affirmed.