contubernium
contubernium (kon-t[y]uu-b[schwa]r-nee-[schwa]m). [Latin] Roman law. A marriage-like union between slaves. • Contubernium was recognized in the United States. Before slavery was abolished, only one Southern court gave a marriage between slaves legal effect upon manumission. See Girod v. Lewis, 6 Mart. (O.S.) 559, 559–60 (La. 1819). In 1825, the Louisiana legislature passed a law expressly […]