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absent from home his sister sent for Major Curtis who was then Superintendent of the County, who came, investigated the case and ordered the father to leave and permit the woman to remain with Mr Digges, pronouncing the woman above the age of 21 years and competent to contract for herself, and the contract a valid and binding one: and the father was forbidden to interfere with her_ It was further proven that, the woman remained with Mr Digges contentedly until on 29th December 1865. when desiring to visit her parents in Charlottesville, with the consent of Mr Digges.
Lieut Wm Slifer, then Pro. Marshall at Greene Ct House, gave her a written permission to visit her parents, and remain until Mr Digges should desire her to return_ that she came to Charlottesville. and on 4th January 1866 her parents procured her situation with R H Munday at $4 per month, and that sometime in February a formal contract was entered into. before Lieut Joyes Supt. of Albemarle County & duly attested, with Mr Munday_ That early in January Mr. Digges came to Charlottesville, and applied to Mr Munday for the girl, informing him of his contract_ but Mr Munday declined to give her up_ and upon a second application he was informed by Mr Munday that he would have to resort to the
Freedmens' Court to have the matter settled_ (See Lt Slifers permission and Mundays letter filed)_ It was further proven that, in a conversation between
Mr Diggs and Mr Munday Mr Digges insisted that the woman was his by contract and that he was entitled to her services or the proceeds of [[strikethrough]] it [[/strikethrough]] her labor. and that if she insisted on remaining with him he should claim her pay. due or to become due from Munday, to pay the hire of another woman to be hired in her place_ It was further proven that at the time that Mr Diggs hired the woman in question, labor was much cheaper and more abundant than in January & February 1866._ and that it was difficult for him to find a woman to supply her place

It was further proven that, the girl, was over twenty one years of age. and while, simple and diffident in her deposition, she was of sound mind. and that no plea or thought of mental incompetency had ever been alleged until this cause was brought. before the court; and that she was an industrous faithful and competent woman_ That she had remained
 
 

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