Newspaper Tidbit: Colored Jurors (1874)

Alexandria Gazette (Virginia)
21 April 1874

COLORED JURORS. -- William Chinn, Howson Pinn, jr., and Addison Chapman, who were deputed by a meeting of colored people to wait upon Judge Nicol, judge of the County Court of Prince William, met him at his office in Brentsville on Saturday last. The committee stated in substance that "they had been appointed to wait upon Judge Nicol for the purpose of asking him why it was that colored men had not been summoned on the juries, and also why they had not colored trustees for their schools."  His Honor informed them he had carried out the law by the selection of men "best fitted for the position;" "that he had not selected any because of their color, or excluded them because of their color." The committee referred to an instance where colored men "had been summoned as jurymen, but were not called on to serve, and had heard that they had been excluded by order of Judge Nicol."  Judge Nicol replied that he did not remember the instance referred to by the committee, but said he was positive he had made no such order on the subject, and if such order had been made by him it would be found entered on the record and would show for itself. Each member of the committee expressed himself satisfied; one of them, Chinn, saying the "move was gotten up for other or outside purposes."  -- Manassas Gazette