Joseph Knight (slave)

Joseph Knight was a man born in Africa and sold as a slave in Jamaica to John Wedderburn of Ballendean, Scotland. Wedderburn had Knight serve in his household, and took him along when he returned to Scotland in 1769. Inspired by Somersett's Case (1772) in England, in which the English courts had held that slavery did not exist under English common law, Knight brought a freedom suit against his master. Knight won his claim after two appeals, in a case that established the principle that Scots law would not uphold the institution of slavery.

Joseph Knight was born in Africa. He was captured in the slave trade and transported to Jamaica, where he was sold as a slave to John Wedderburn of Ballendean. Wedderburn educated Knight and employed him as a domestic servant. In 1769 Wedderburn returned to Scotland, taking Knight with him.

Three years later a 1772 ruling in England known as Somersett's Case cast doubt on the legality of slavery under the common law.

In 1778, assuming that the ruling in the Sommersett case applied to the rest of Britain, Knight demanded wages from his owner. He ran away when Wedderburn refused. Wedderburn was indignant, feeling that he had bestowed considerable gifts on Knight by educating him and taking care of him, and had the fugitive slave arrested. Knight brought a claim before the justices of the peace court in Perth, a case that would be known as Knight v Wedderburn.

When the justices of the peace found in favour of Wedderburn, Knight appealed to the Sheriff of Perth. He found that "the state of slavery is not recognised by the laws of this kingdom, and is inconsistent with the principles thereof: That the regulations in Jamaica, concerning slaves, do not extend to this kingdom."

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