Henrietta Wood had been kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1853. After the Civil War, she sued her kidnapper for $20k to cover lost wages.
On April 17, 1878, a jury awarded Wood $2,500. This is still the largest amount awarded by a U.S. Court as reparations for slavery.
Record Group 21: Records of District Courts of the United States
Series: Civil Case Files
File Unit: Henrietta Wood vs. Zeb Ward
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