A slave in a time of no slavery?

From the Telegraph-Journal:

An ad in a NB newspaper in 1786 promised a reward for the return of slaves who had run away from their "owner", a Loyalist from what is now Fredericton. The runaways included "Nancy, about 24 years old, who took with her a Negro child, about four years old, called Lidge". Nancy was seemingly returned to that slave owner, since in 1800, she asked the Supreme Court of New Brunswick to set her free. The slave-owner said that Nancy had been a slave since birth.
Her two lawyers, who had volunteered their services, argued that she should be freed since slavery was not officially recognized in N.B. On Feb. 18, 1800, the court announced a split decision among the four judges. Nancy lost and remained a slave for another 15 years. Soon after that yearlong trial, one of the slave-owning judges set his slaves free. Nancy's case touched off such protest that it is said slavery became an unworkable institution in the province.

Nancy's story - and other stories of New Brunswick women in our history - should be better remembered. One effort in that direction is Nancy's Award.
Middle-school students can win one of 15 awards named after Nancy Morton. Nancy's Award is offered to students whose entry in the New Brunswick's Regional Heritage Fair touches on some aspect of New Brunswick Women's history. Heritage Week Is Feb. 12 to 19.