partus sequitur ventrem — Law Dictionary

Definitions from Case Law

From 25 U.S. 590 - Mason and Another v. Matilda · 1827Most cited · 7 citing opinions

And that case was a stronger one of the effect of infancy than the present; for here the rule 'partus sequitur ventram' must take effect. The three children of Matilda claim their freedom on the supposed emancipation of their mother; but their mother did not, and could not, set up the circumstance of infancy in herself.

Show all 3 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1827–1834

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

The oif-spring follows the condition of the mother. Inst. 2. 1. 19. This is the law in the case of slaves and animals (1 Bouv. Inst, notes 167, 502), but with regard to freemen, children follow the condition of the father.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

The issue follows the body (of the mother). See 18 Pick. (Mass.) 222.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

The offspring follows the mother; the brood of an animal belongs to the owner of the dam; the offspring of a slave belongs to the owner of the mother or follow the cendition of the mother. A maxim of the civil law, which has been adopted in the law of England in regard to animals, though never allowed in the case of human beings. 2 Bl. Comm. 390, 94; Fortes. 42.