William Grinstead served as her attorney when she went to court to sue for her freedom in 1655 in Northumberland County basing her case on her paternity (white father), her religion and the violation of a contract that she would only be indentured for a certain number of years. She won her case, and married Grinstead.

By Dec 1662 the law would rule that your status of freedom or enslavement would be based on the status of the mother and not the father.

"Be it therefore enacted and declared by this present grand assembly, that all children borne in this country shalbe held bond or free only according to the condition of the mother."

Selma