The Lemmon Slave Case Brought To Life At The Jay Heritage Center
RYE, NY — A Hudson Valley institution, that is well-known for taking us back in time in ways both visceral and scholarly, was the perfect venue for exploring a pivotal moment in a fight for freedom that would tear a new nation apart.
On Sunday, the Historical Society of the New York Courts, in conjunction with the Jay Heritage Center, presented “The Legacy of the Lemmon Slave Case and the Contribution of John Jay II.”
The event featured a conversation with author and retired Court of Appeals Judge Albert M. Rosenblatt, who authored the book, “The Eight: The Lemmon Slave Case and the Fight for Freedom.” The program was moderated by Judge Philippe Solages of the Nassau County Supreme Court and a special guest appearance was made by Luanne Wills-Merrell, who is a descendant of two of the formerly enslaved people at the center of the case.
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The lively conversation between the judges focused on historical issues, including slavery in United States and in New York, freedom suits, the Underground Railroad, and the abolition movement.
The Jay Heritage Center was an especially fitting venue for the event because of the Jay family’s legacy of abolitionism.
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John Jay II represented the eight enslaved women and children in 1852. Now known as the Lemmon Slave Case, the court ruled that the eight were free upon arriving on New York’s free soil. The case would become a battle cry for the secessionist movement when appeals defied the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford.
The evening’s program delved into the Lemmon Slave Case, the dramatic events and characters, and its impact on both New York and the young nation. The discussion centered on the law, but Rosenblatt explained that genealogy research into the case led him to connect with the descendants of those whose very freedom was at stake in the case.
Upon arrival at the event, guests had the opportunity to tour the Jay House. After the program, the attendees enjoyed a reception on the remarkable property where guests were able to mingle with the judges and members of the Historical Society.
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The Jay Heritage Center is located on 23 acres in Rye. The event was co-sponsored by the Westchester Bar Association and the Westchester Black Bar Association.
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