John1 M to 26, 2 M 45+, 2 F to 14, 1 F 45+ (1820 Adams Co. Census)

Joseph

Manumission of Joseph by Archibald Terrell, 1812

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book G

P. 410

Footnote: Purchased from George Perry, 25 June 1810.

Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.

Peter Little Emancipation of Joseph, 1817

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book K

P. 54

Peter Little. Emancipation of Joseph a negro man

Know all men by these presents that I Peter Little by Henry Tooley my attorney in fact at present of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana by virtue of the proceedings has and done before the Parish Court of Concordia Do in consideration thereof, manumit and set free and release from slavery a certain male slave named Joseph thirty years of age, hereby empowering the said Joseph to act for himself in all cases in as full free and ample manner as if he the said Joseph had been born free. And the said Peter Little by Henry Tooley his said attorney in fact, do hereby covenant and oblige himself to nourish and maintain said Emancipated slave when said slave shall be in want owing to old age, Sickness or any proven infirmity. In testimony whereof the said Peter Little by Henry Tooley his attorney in fact, hath hereunto set his hand and seal the 20^th day of April 1817. H. Tooley Atty in fact (seal) for Peter Little

[Not all transcribed, but the date is 9^th Dec. 1817 before Judge Jon. Perkins]

Juan Bautista (Baptista)

Angelica and others, free papers, 1823

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book N

Pgs. 265-6

Angelica and others, free papers

In the City of New Orleans, on the thirteenth of March A.D. ? before me the Clerk and witness, appeared the Senor Licentiste Don ? GevanaAssessor General of the Intendency, Alcado of the first ward? Of this city and its jurisdiction and testamentary Executor of Wills. Donna Margarita Gengen Bauvais, Widow of Don Thomas Bentley according to the tenor of the writing and will that is before me, of the date November fourth of the year past A.D. ? at which time said Senor E Don Thomas Bently, did, and ?? in virtue of the definitive act of the Senor Baron de Carondelet, Knithgt of the Order of St. John, Yula? Marshal of the Royal ? Govornor and Commandant General and Vice Patron Royal of these provinces of Luisiana and West Florida, by the advice and consent of the Senor, Doctor, Don, Nicholas Maria Vidal, Lieutenant Governor Auditor of War and Assessor General of this Government on the eleventh of the present Month, it is declared that the Senor Ortogante shall execute the Testamentary articles, ??of the wills of the said of the said Donna Margarita Gengen, and it being and of them one of the clauses of the wills that there should be granted to her slaves Celeste, Henngueta, Miguel & Juan Bautista, Mulatto brothers & sisters, as also to the negress named Angelica, using those powers which the laws grant her, in virtue of that which the Testatrine has of giving, she grants by the presents & representing their persons, that she frees and liberates from all subjection, Bondage and Servitude the said slaves, Celeste, Henngueta, Miguel Juan Bautista, and Agngelica that they may hold it, and be no longer subject to her. By which means, she deprives of and separates from, and divests of and ? from said succession, the right of property, possession, use, Dominion and authority, that she had to said slaves, and all she held in them, She yields to them, renounces and transport So that as free persons, they may devise contract, purchase, vend, appear in Judgment, grant writing and wills, and do all of the Judicial and extra=Judicial acts that may do and do these persons who are exercising their freedom; and declared that neither the heirs of said Succession nor their Successors shall reclaim them in any manner whatsoever, Since they would do it by the mere act, they cannot possible be heard or listened to? & it must inevitably be seen that she has approved it and complied with all the necessary requisites, adding to it, strength strength [sic] & contract to contract, to the fulfillment of which said succession, is obliged in every form (or items) of law

[More details not transcribed but archived in New Orleans in 1797 and recorded in Natchez 8^th December 1823 by Woodson Wren & Robert Piggot]

Juba

William Cotton's Will, 1843

Adams County Chancery Court

Will Book 2

P. 269

Item 3d It is my will and I hereby direct my Executors to emancipate without delay my mulatto woman Susan and my servant man Juba, also my mulatto girl child named Merial the daughter of Eliza in consideration of the faithful services they have rendered. And I desire my Executors at the cost of my Estate to Take all legal and needful measures to carry this object into full and complete effect.

[Not all transcribed, just details concerning African Americans]

Jude

Freeing Betty and Jude

Adams County Chancery Court

Spanish Court Records

Book F

P. 142

21^st March 1789

To His Excellency Governor Miro. The petition of Betty and Jude humbly sheweth. That your petitioners were the daughters of a free woman in Carolina, and were bound as apprentices by a Court of Judicature, until they should arrive to the age of twenty one; that they were brought to the Natchez as such, where they were taken by Captain Willing’s party and were sold here as slaves. Your petitioners having served the whole time mentioned in their indentures, and several years more, hope that your Excellency through, your great love of justice and humanity, will liberate your distressed petitioners together with some allowance for the time they have been wrongfully constrained to serve. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.= New Orleans 21^st March 1789.=Betty.=Jude.= Your Petitioners’ Witnesses are Colonel Hutchins and Lady.

Julia Ann

Manumission of Julia Ann by Samuel Foster, 1850

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book HH

Pgs. 496-8

K

Keating/Keaton--

Moses Keyton4 fpc (Census of 1816, Adams County)

Moses Keaton4 fpc (Census of 1818, Adams County)

Moses Keating emancipation, 1803

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book C

Pgs. 203-4

Keating emancipation State of Georgia

Richmond County

These are to certify that Moses Son of the late Edward Keating hath been legally manumitted and set free on Condition that he well and truly serve the Reverend Adam Boyd and him only during the natural life of the said Adam and for such faithful service the last

p. 204

the said Adam is bound to pay the Said Moses at the Rate of twenty a year from the twentieth day of April last which is the date of his manumition and which is Recorded in the Clerk’s Office in Book G? Folio 271. The 24^th of April 1799.

And we the underwritten do also certify that we are appointed Guardians to the Said Moses in Order that the true intent of Such Manumission be carried into effect Given under our hands in Augusta this 10^th day of May 1799

John Course one of the Justices

The inferior Court

John Willson

Kelly

Stephen Kelly's Certificate of Freedom, 1823

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book N

Pgs. 84-5

Stephen Kelly’s Certificate of Freedom

Maryland, Anne Arundel County, to wit.

I hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that it hath been proved to my satisfaction that the Bearer hereof, a negro man named Stephen Kelly, aged about Twenty one years, about five feet five inches high, dark complexion, a scar near the right ear, was free Born and raised in the County aforesaid.

In testimony whereof I hereto, set my name and affix the seal of Anne Arundel County Court, this twenty first day of August, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.

Wm L. Green ck aa County

I certify that the within instrument of writing was recd. Into my office to be recorded on the 26^th day of April 1823

Woodson Wren, Clk

Stephen Kelly's Agreement with Henry Johnson, 1823

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book N

P. 85

Henry Johnson with Stephen Kelly, Agreement

Articles of Agreement between Henry Johnson of Louisiana and Stephen Kelly, a free man of Colour of Wheeling Virginia. The said Stephen Kelly on his part agrees to accompany the said Henry Johnson of Louisiana, in the character of a servant, and to remain with and serve him the said Henry Johnson faithfully as a servant, until his return? To Washington City next fall: And the said Henry Johnson on his part, agrees to pay the said Stephen Kelly, Seven Dollars per month for his services, from this time, till discharged,--Signed Duplicates

Wheeling 8^th April 1823

Witness

A.R. Howe H. Johnson

his

Stephen X Kelly

Mark

I certify that the within Agreement was recd. Into my office to be recorded on the 26^th day of April 1823

Woodson Wren, Clk

Kemp

Daniel1 male 45+, 1 female 45+ (1820 Natchez Census)

Kennedy

Dennis Kennedy (Ned) emancipation, 1802

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book C

Pgs. 5-6

At a Court continued and held for Kanawha County November the 8^th 1795

On the motion of Obediah Fuque Ned alias Dennis Kennedy a negro man slave in the possession of the said Fuque is by him the said Fugue emancipated and entirely discharged from any service or claim of time. And the said negro in open Court here relinquishes any right of action which has or might accrue to him for any services which he has renedered to said Fuque whilst in his possession: And it is ordered by the Court that all proceedings heretofore had in this Court for the emancipation of the said Ned alias Dennis Kennedy be discontinued

Teste John Reynolds

The Commonwealth of Virginia to the Sheriff of Kanawha county greeting. We command you to take George Walsh if he be found within your Bailiwick, and him safely keep so that you have his body

p. 6

before the Justices of our county court of Kanawha County at the Court on the second Tuesday in this month to answer Dennis Kenedy of any? Of assault and Battery Damage three thousand Dollars. And have there this writ: Witness John Reynolds Clerk our said Court, this ?? day of November 1799 and in the twenty fourth year of the Com???

John Reynolds

This action is brought for assaulting & beating the plt. And no bail.

Wm Sterrill

King

Free Papers of John King recorded, 1834

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book V

Pgs. 232, 339

232

John King’s Emancipation

State of Tennessee Sullivan County November Session 1821

To the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting the petition of William King, a citizen of Sullivan County aforesaid respectfully represents that he is possessed of a negro man named Mesho, above forty years of age, who is sound and Sensible, a very industrious sober man, also he is possessed of a negro woman named Fanny about twenty eight years of age, who is sound and sensible and of good moral character & said woman woman [sic] has five children namely John, William, Julia, Lucinda, and Perry which children are all likewise sensible which before named Servants have served your petitioner faithfully that they are persons of good moral character and your petitioner conceives it would be right & just to emancipate them, that he is willing to conform to the laws on the subject of emancipation by giving such security as may be required. The premises [difficult to make out the next few words] to grant the prayer of his petition and he is duty bound will ever pray & c

Wm King

[Not all transcribed but it looks like King was freed with his family in 1821 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, then moved to Smith County in 1825. He is described as 5'8" or 9" with five or six scars on his forehead and chin, and 22 or 23 in 1834].

Kitty

Kitty, emancipation by George Overaker, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book T

Pgs. 359-60

Terry Alford notes Overaker is a free man of color.

Knox

William Knox, emancipation by Edward C. Hyde, 1831

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book T

P. 36

Terry Alford has a footnote noting that Knox paid Hyde $500 for his freedom, 46.

L. Knox1 female 36-55 (1840 Natchez census)

Kyle

Nancy Kyle2 males –10; 1 male 10-24; 2 females –10; 1 female 24-36; 1 female 55-100 (1840 Natchez census)

Nancy Kyle60 mf, “FN,” $400 RE, VA, w/ Caroline, 35mf, MS; Christopher, 20 mm; John, 22mm; Francis, 14mf; Alzena, 8 mf; Rufus, 2mm; Sue, 1mf (1850 Natchez census)

Alzeena Kyle20 mf, MS, w/Angeline Morris, 17 mf; Caroline Kyle, 41 mf, $ 700 R.E., $1,000 P.E.; Nancy, 80 mf, VA; William, 8 mos. mm, MS (1860 Natchez census)

Kyle, Christopher v. State, HNF, 1824

Historic Natchez Foundation

Box 28

File 38

The State of Mississippi (State docket no. 929)

Adams County

Richmond Beldsoe made oath before the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for said county, that on this day Nancy a mulatto in the service of Christopher H. Kyle and said to be free, used to him the said Richmond abusive and provoking language contrary to the statute in that case made and provided.

Sworn to and subscribed before Richard Bledsoe

Me this 5 September 1824.

H Tooley J.P.

To any lawful officer to execute

You are hereby commanded to arrest the above named mulatto woman Nancy and bring her before me to be proceeded against according to law for the offence aforesaid.

Given under my hand & seal 5th September 1824

H. Tooley J.P. (seal)

Executed 5th Sept. 1824

C. Nafe Const.

The defendent [sic] was apprehended and brought before me for proceeding, and it being late in the evening, Christopher H. Kyle agreed to become bail for the defendant [sic] to appear on tomorrow 9 o’clock for trial in the sum of fifty dollars. 5th September 1824. H. Tooley

The State of Mississippi Adams county SS

Personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace for said county Christopher H. Kyle and acknowledged himself indebted to the State of Mississippi in the sum of fifty dollars, to be levied upon his goods and chattels, lands and tenements, and to the use of said State rendered: But to be void on condition that Nancy a mulatto in his service said to be free, do make her appearance before the undersigned Justice of said county on Monday the 6th instant, then and there to answer a certain misdemeanor in which the State is plaintiff and she is defendent [sic] for abusive and provoking language to Richard Bledsoe on Sunday 5th instant, and not depart without leave of said Justice. Taken and acknowledged before me this 5h day of September 1824

(Seal) H. Tooley J.P.

6th September 1824. Christopher H. Kyle being called to bring the body of Nancy a mulatto in his service and said to be free, before the undersigned Justice at his office on this day, made default Judgment that he forfeit his recognizance.

H. Tooley J.P.

The State of Mississippi Adams County

Summons two respectable slave holders to appear before the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for said county at his office on this day at nine o’clock to assist on the trial of Nancy a mulatto in the service of Christopher H. Kyle, and said to be free charged with abusive and provoking language to Richmond Bledsoe.

Given under my hand & seal 6th September 1824

To any Constable to execute H. Tooley J.P. (seal)

Summond [sic] the following jurors to wit William Shipp, and Alvarez Fisk. August 6th 1824. C. Nafe Const.

The State of Mississippi Adams County To any constable of County

You are hereby commanded as heretofore to apprehend Nancy a mulatto in the service of Christopher H. Kyle and said to be free, and bring her before the undersigned Justice of the peace to be proceeded against according to law for abusive and provoking language to Richmond Bledsoe on 5th indstant

Given under my hand & seal 6th September 1824

H. Tooley J.P. (seal)

State

Vs Before Justice Tooley

Nancy

Justice Tooley will dismiss the above suit by Mr. C. H. Kyle paying costs, and oblige you obedient?

Natchez Sept. 8. 1824 Richmond Bledsoe

Dismissed according to prosecutors request 9. Sept. 1824

State of Mississippi Adams County To any Constable of said County.

You are hereby commanded to summon Christopher H. Kyle to appear before the undersigned Justice of the peace at my office on Saturday the 18th day of September to answer the complaint of the State of Mississippi on a plea of debt

under fifty dollars.

Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of Septem. 1824

H. Tooley J.P. (seal)

This action is founded on recognizance amounting to $50. For the appearance of Nancy a mulatto in his service and said to be free before the undersigned parties on this day & forfeited.

H. Tooley J.Pl

Executed 6th. Septem. 1824.

C. Nafe Const.

18th Septem.r 1824 Defendant made default Judgment for $50.

& costs H. Tooley J.P.

The State of Mississippi Adams County &s.

To any constable of said County Greeting:

Judgment being had before the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for said county, on 18th day of Septmber 1824 for the sum of fifty dollars and --- cents debt, and one dollar and 62 ½ cents cost as the suit of the State of Mississippi against Christopher H. Kyle, and the said defendant having become liable for the payment of said judgment.

You are therefore, hereby commanded to make of the personal Estate of the said defendant according to law sufficient to satisfy said judgment and costs together with the costs of this writ and lawful interest from the date of said judgment. And for want of personal estate wherever to levy, you are commanded to take his body to the keeper of the jail of said county, who is hereby authorized and required to receive and keep him in safe custody until the said judgment and costs be fully satisfied, or he be legally discharged. And this writ, with what shall be done thereon, return to the office of the said Justice, within twenty days from this date hereof. Witness the hand and seal of the said Justice this 25th day of Septem.r 1824.

H. Tooley (seal)

References

Offense of abusive and provoking language by a slave or free person of colour to a white person defined in The Revised Code page 376. Section B2.

Justices Court with competent power to hear and determine on the crimes and offences of Slaves & free persons of colour where the punishment shall not exceed thirty nine lashes Ibidem page 391. Section 5.

Justices Court a Court of record Ibid. page 28. Section 12.

Power and authority to take recognizances inherent in a court of record

2nd Blackstone p. 341.

Courts of Record have necessarily competent power

1. To issue writs to arrest and compel the attendance of parties and witnesses.

2. To hear and determine the facts, and apply the legal remedy or punishment.

3. To punish contempts by fine and imprisonment.

Which thru several powers Justices Court possess by Statute as it respects the trial of Slaves, and free persons of colour, where the jurisdiction is exclusive and complete, and from whose judgment no appeal can be taken, a certiorari remove, the proceedings to a higher tribunal.

3rd. Bl Com. P. 24The very creation of a new jurisdiction with power of fine or imprisonment makes it constantly a court of record.”

[Did not transcribe all of the pages but the HNF note reads: Case appears to involve bail given by plaintiff for a free servant who spoke provocatively to Richmond Bledsoe. Seems Nancy did not appear. Kyle contended the case did not require bail, appealed the fine. Supreme Court upheld the bail assessment].

Nancy Kyle's Free papers, 1825

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book O

Pgs. 343-4

To the Honorable Edward Broughton Parish Judge in and for the parish of Concordia and State of Louisiana

The petition of Christopher H. Kyle at present of the Parish and State aforesaid respectfully represents unto your honor that he is desirous of Emancipating in due form of Law his female slave named Nancy Kyle upwards of thirty years of age.

Your petitioner further represents that for the last four years as well as during all her life the said Nancy Kyle has been honest faithful and diligent, without run away and without having committed any robbing or other criminal misdemeanors to the knowledge of our petitioner and that the said Nancy Kyle is in every respect entitled to the benefits of the acts concerning Emancipation passed March 9^th 1807. Your petitioner therefore prays that your honor will issue the order of notification required by Law, at the termination of which your petitioner will execute such act of Emancipation as is required by Law and in every respect comply as the the [sic] provision of the Statute of the State aforesaid in such cases made and provided

Concordia LA March 28 1825 CH Kyle

[More details including the 40 days posted on the court house door and makes pledge to take care of her in old age, sickness, or insanity or any other proven infirmity]

Recd into my office to be recorded 21 day of May 1825

Woodson Wren Clk

By P. Greene D.C.

Christopher H. Kyle to Slave Caroline, 1827

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book R, Part 1

P. 29

Know all men By these presents, that I Christopher H. Kyle of the City of Natchez State of Mississippi, have nominated constituted and appointed & by these presents do nominate constitute and appoint Nathaniel Wright Esqr of Cincinatti in the State Ohio my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to emancipate and set free according to the laws of Ohio my negro slave Caroline & her infant child & for that purpose I do hereby authorize my said attorney to execute all such acts deeds & instruments as may be necessary or proper in the premises in as full & ample a manner as I could do myself if personally present. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 5^th June 1827

[More details follow but documents do mention that Caroline and her infant son John being fully recorded in Cincinnati]

Christopher Kyle's Will, 1826

Adams County Chancery Court

Will Book 1

Pgs. 419-20

Item 1^st I will & bequeath that after paying all of my just debts that the following slaves, to wit Nancy her daughter Caroline Milly & her brother George be emancipated & set free from slavery

Item 2 I will & bequeath that my executors hereinafter named shall appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars out of any monies belonging to my Estate to procure the emancipation of the above mentioned slaves by sending them to a non slave holding state if not to be procured in this State

Item 3^rd I will & bequeath to the above named Nancy the following described lot or parcel of land lying & being in the City of Natchez viz cornering? Upon sixth street and third North on the North side of third North & Sixth streets running forty feet on third North & fifty feet on sixth street.

Item 4^th I will & bequeath unto to the aforementioned Nancy & her daughter Caroline the sum of one thousand dollars.

[Not all transcribed, just the part relevant to free blacks]

Caroline Kyle Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 14

March Term 1832

Caroline Kyle a free woman of light complexion about twenty two years old five feet eight inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Caroline Kyle be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Caroline Kyle, Police Board Records, September 1841

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 323

Special September Term 1841

Caroline Kyle a free woman of colour of light complexion aged about thirty years, and five feet eight inches in height, having satisfied the Board of her good character and honest deportment. It was therefore ordered by the Board that she be and she is hereby licensed to remain in this state pursuant to the Statute in this behalf

Nancy Kyle Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 14

March Term 1832

Nancy Kyle a free mulattoe woman about fifty five years old five feet eight inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Nancy Kyle be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Nancy Kyle, Police Board Records, September 1841

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 321-2

Special September Term 1841

Nancy Kyle a free woman of Colour of light Complexion aged about [blank] years, and five feet eight inches in height having satisfied the Board of her good character and honest deportment; it was thereupon ordered by the Board, that she be, and

p. 322

she is hereby licensed to remain in this state pursuant to the Statute in this behalf

6 Sep., 1841 (Johnson Diary)"Police Court in Session again to day trying the rirghts [writs] of Petitions There were a greate many Petitions hand[ed] in to day and some of them was I understand regected by the BoardOld Dr Wren adressed the Bourd at LengthMr H Conner Got tireed of the old Fellow and Ordered him to Hush and if, seys He, you say another word I have you put in Jailand the Old Fellow stoped off I have seen a Greate many that was very Glad of the old Fellows defeatHis remarks was that old Nancy Kyle & Caroline Kept a House of ill fame, a House of asination, a whore House &c.but he could not Shine.”

[Footnote from Johnson Diary: “This was not the first time that the Board of Police had been petitioned to revoke the licenses (originally granted in 1832) of Nancy Kyle and her daughter, Caroline, granting them permission to remain in the state. In August, 1838, upon representation of ‘various persons, respected citizens of the City of Natchez’ that the Kyles were ‘dangerous members of Society,’ they had been ordered to leave the state within ninety days; but in January, 1839, the order had been suspended. And in September, 1841, their licenses were officially renewed. In 1841, Nancy was at least 60 yyears of age, and Caroline about 31; Nancy was a mulatto, and Caroline “of light complexion,” and both were about five feet, eight inches in height. The Kyles had been freed in 1825-7 by Christopher H. Kyle of Natchez, who had bequeathed $1,000 in his will to secure their freedom and a lot to Nancy. In 1850, Nancy and Caroline and a family of six other free Negroes were still in Natchez, and in 1860 Caroline was listed as the owner of one slave, 345.]

Oct. 5, 1843 (Johnson Diary)Nothing new to day more than the yellow fever is Said to be very bad at this time at Rodney. Great many are Said to be Sick at this time, A.G. Carpenter and Dr Benbrook started up to R. Last night for the relief of the sick and Lizor Cotton and Nancy Kyle Left to day to go to Rodney to wait on the sick

June 24, 1846 (Johnson Diary)Old Jones sent his woman up to Cincinnatti & Children too. Nancy Kyle (free black) went also.

Nov. 30, 1849 (Johnson Diary)John Kyle was Bailed Out of Jail this morning by Mr Rose. Was put in Jail on charge of Stealing Horse feed from Millers Stable” (p. 680)

Caroline Kyle Will, 1891

Adams County Chancery Court

Will book 5

Pgs. 232-3

16 April 1891“I, Caroline Kyle a resident of the City of Natchez County of Adams and State of Mississippi, being of Sound mind, and disserning [sic] memory and understanding and being desirous of making in testimony disposition of my property, in view of the uncertainty of human life, do now make, publish and declare my last will and testament in manner and firm, as follows to wit: My entire estate consists of a lot of land. Northwest corner of Rankin and High Streets, in the City of Natchez, with the buildings and improvements thereon, being the same inherited by me from my Mother, Nancy Kyle, deceased, and the same occupied by me as a residence, since the death of mother in August 1863. I give, devise, and bequeath, the above mentioned property to my daughter Angeline Johnson and my grand daughter, Sarah Ann Robinson, one of the children of my late daughter Alzenia Johnson, deceased, to be owned, used, and occupied by my said daughter Angeline Johnson and my grand daughter Sarah Ann Robinson absolutely and free from the use [illegible] control of all other persons, for and during the period of the natural life of the said Angeline and the said Sarah [illegible] with right of ?? as between them; and after the death of the said Angeline Johnson and the said Sarah Ann Robinson, then the said land and inferments? Shall become the absolute property with fee simple titles of my daughter Frances Sessen? My son Charles Graves (generally known as Huxley Kyle) and my grandson Alonzo Nichols, the son of my deceased daughter Alzine Johnson; to the said Francis, Charles and Alonzo, in equal shares and to their heirs, and assigns forever.

I hereby appoint my daughter Angeline Johnson Executrix of my Will, and request and direct that she shall not be required to give security as such…”

L

Lancaster

With George Lancaster, 50 wm, grocer, N.C., Mary Lancaster, 32 mf, “FN,” LA; George, 8mm (1850 Natchez census)

Lattimore

Nancy Lattimore Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 12

March Term 1832

Nancy Lattimore free mulatto woman 28 years old five feet six inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Nancy Lattimore be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Nancy Lattimore to Patrick Carolan, 1829

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book DD

Page 137-8

Nancy Lattimore to Patrick Carolan

Know all Men By these presents, that I Nancy Lattimore a free woman of Colour of the State of Mississippi, County of Adams, do Bargain and sell unto P. Carolan a Mulatto Slave named Eliza for and in consideration of the Sum of Four Hundred Dollars, to me in hand by said P. Carolan and I do hereby warrant said Slave against the claim or claimants of any person whomsoever

Witness my hand and

p. 138

seal this Twenty Fourth day of July 1839.

her

Nancy + Lattimore

mark

[Then, it goes on to prove It on November 29^th, 1841 by the clerk]

Jan. 14, 1836 (Johnson Diary)The Gard took Nancy Latimore and Cut her all over her Back, whiped her very much. She went through the Market the next morning with her clothes hanging all off at Each Shoulder. Her back was very much whipped. It was thought Dr. Lattimore make her walk in the Streets that way. [Footnote: Nancy Lattimore was a free woman of color, licensed to remain in the state in 1832. Evidently she was still under control of Dr. David Lattimore. See Adams County Court and Police Board Minutes, 1832-45, March, 1832; Adams County Deed Records, CC, 46 (p. 93).]

June 12, 1837A Fight took place this morning between Mr George Lancaster and Big Frank Little in the Market House, Frank Little it appears whiped Mary Lattimore as she terms herself, for being at the Bench Drinking Coffee She was Left in charge of Mr Lancaster and as soon as he herd that F Little had whiped her he went into the market and commenced On F. Little as hard as he could with his fist They had a pretty sharp fight but was at Last Seperated by the bystanders, [Footnote: Mary Lattimore was a slave, the property of Dr. David Lattimore. On September 8, 1838, he swapped “a Mulatto woman named Mary,” aged about twenty-one to “Nancy [Lattimore] a free person of color” in exchange for another female slave, aged about eighteen, and $1.00. Adams County Deed Records, DD, 46].

D. Lattimore, Bill Sale to Nancy, Colrd Woman, 1838

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book [unrecorded]

P. 46

D. Lattimore, Bill Sale to Nancy, Colrd Woman

Be it known and Remembered that for and in consideration of a Certain Negro woman about 18 years of age, named and called Rachel, warranted a Slave for life, being the Same sold by ______ Offit to Nancy a free person of Color, as will more fully appear by references to an Instrument of writing or Bill of Sale bearing date

Which Said Negro woman Rachel is valued at One Thousand Dollars and one dollar in specie paid me in hand by said Nancy the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledged & have this day bargained, and Swapt, Sold and delivered to her the Said Nancy a Mulatto woman named Mary (a Slave for life) aged about Twenty One years. The right and title to which said Mary I warrant and defend to her the said Nancy her heirs &c against all claims whatsoever and to which I bind myself my heirs & c.

Witness my hand this Eighth day of Sept. in the year 1838

D. Lattimore

State of Mississippi Personally appeared before me, the undersigned Justice of the Peace

Adams County in and for said County, David Lattimore and acknowledged that he signed, sealed, and delivered the within Instrument of writing on the day and year therein named, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned

Witness my hand and seal this 26^th July 1841

Latwood

Wm Latwood1 male 36-55, 1 female 36-55 (1830 Adams Co. census)

Lawrence

Bat Lawrence75 mm, “Free Negro,” Md, w/ Sally, 70 mf (1850 Natchez census)

Lawson

L. Lawson25 mm, “FN,” VA (1850 Natchez census)

Caroline Lawson30 mf, dressmaker, MS w/ Mary E., 5 mf; Ann, 9 mf; Frank 2 mm; Horatio, 7 mm; Francis Gustino, 31 mf, washerwomanLouis, 10 mm; Lili, 7 mf; Rosalie Bazare, 42 mf, washerwomanArdale, 23 fm seamstress; David, 21 mm carpenter; Robert 18 mm; Charles, 16 mm blacksmith; Sarah, 14 mf; John 12 mm; Mary 10 mf; James 9 mm; Margaret, 6 mf; Martha, 3 mf (1860 Natchez census)

Lawson, emancipation by James Thomas, 1831

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book U

Pgs. 526-7

Terry Alford has a footnote noting that Lawson was 25 [no last name given] and Thomas was from McMinn County, TN, 46.

Leander

Manumission of Leander (woman) by Horace Gridley, 1838

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book CC

Pgs. 352-3

Leaphart

Molly Leaphart, emancipation papers, 1793

Spanish records (McBee) The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805

Abstracts of Early RecordsThe May Wilson McBee Collection, Volume 2

(Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1953)

“To His Excellency, the Governor. Petition of ‘Molly,’ a negro woman, the property of the late Jacob Leaphart, says that the said Mr. Leaphart purchased her near seven years ago and that for many reasons and her great attention to him during his long illness, her great industry, she having by it and her own management within a few years paid the great amount of his debts, and, above all, for her advanced age, being near seventy years old, it was his intention to give the petitioner her freedom, which he communicated on his death bed to different persons but more particularly to Mr. William Barland whom he desired to procure a person to draw up a testament but, his time being shorter than expected, before anyone could, it pleased Almighty to withdraw him from hence, by which accident, the petitioner, contrary to her late master’s will, is left a slave. The principal creditiors of her said late master, being sensible that she had been the means of their receiving the part they have got out of his debts, being also assured that it was his wish that she should be free, are willing to give their consent that she be set at liberty. Natchez, 20 Sept. 1793. Signed Molly.” Jacob Leaphart called a man, Philip Hart to him shortly before he died and “asked him if he would do a piece of business for him. Philip answered that he would do anything for him that he could. Then said Jacob, ‘Take my horse and go and look for old Mr. Short. I want him to settle my affairs, for I shall die soon, and I want to give Molly her freedom. I promised Mr. Minor I would, when I bought her, and she has been very faithful to my interests and tender and careful of me in my long illness.’ Philip, in consequence took Jacob’s horse and went to look for Mr. Short but could not find him and Jacob died the next Friday morning. Philip Hart. Oct. 21, 1793.” Another witness’s account, George Fitzgerald, stated, “said that he had a good opinion of the negro wench, ‘Molly,’ who has for some time past had the care and management of Jacob Leaphart’s place and property and so well is he convinced of her industry and integrity that he is willing so far as to his respects that Molly should retain the property in her hands and he will look to her only for payment.” (169-70).

Transcription of County Archives of Mississippi

Vol. 1 The Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace

171

The County of Adams

To Molly Liphart

To Rasing an orphan Child by the name of james Knox for the Space of two years Ds [Dollars?] 100

She prays the Honble Court to Grant her the above Sum or More of Less as it may think proper

Feb’y 2nd 1801

Lee

Charles Lee's Freedom papers, 1817

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book O

p. 38

Received of Mr. George W. Stall full compensation for Charles’es time a Black Boy which I have this day let him have and who has between Eight and ten years to serve & c.

Jan? 25 1807. Wm Lytle

For value received I asine All my wright of the within named Charles to Edwd H. Stall

Cincinnati July 3d 1808 G. W. Stall

For value received I asine all my wright of the slave named Charles to Mrs. Hannah Willis.

Cincinnati Sept 1^st 1808 Edwd H Stall

I assign all my right and title of the within named Charles to James W Sloan May 19 1809

Hannah Willis

I assign over to Abijah Hunt of Natchez all my right to the within named Charles a Negro Boy for value received Natchez July 1809

James M Sloan

Charles a Negro Boy this day Solde to James M Sloane by Mrs Hannah Willis was Solde to Serve until the age of twenty eight he will be 19 Years old on the 8^th day of July next therefore will be entitled to his freedom from and after the 8^th day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighteen

Cincinnati May 19^th 1809 John Armstrong

For and in consideration of the Sum of Four hundred & twenty Dollars to me in hand paid by Abijah Hunt of Natchez the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged I have Sold and transferede to the said Hunt. The within named Charles a negro man aged nineteen and do warrant & defend him to the said Hunt for the term of nine years from the 9^th of this month day? July as a servant

James M Sloan

Mississippi Territory of the United States Claiborne County fs

Know all men by these presents that for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars to us in hand paid by Charles Lee a Mulatto man We do hereby release unto him the said Charles Lee the balance of the time he the sd Charles Lee is bound to serve agreeably to the annexed Bill of Sale from Wm Lytle and Certificate of John Armstrong and do hereby agreeably to this? Bill of Sale and Certificate acknowledge him to be a free man. Given under our hands this first day of August 1817

For Elijah Smith

David Hunt

Israel Loring?

Leiper/Leaper

And. (Andrew) Leiper2 males –10; 1 male 24-36; 1 female 24-36 (1830 Natchez census)

L. Leiper2 males –10; 3 males 24-36; 2 females –10; 1 female 10-24; 1 female 24-36 (1840 Natchez census)

Andrew Leper1 male –10; 1 male 36-55; 2 females –10; 1 female 24-36 (one slave f 55-100) (1840 Natchez census)

Robert Leiper40 mm, “FN,” MS, w/Sophia, 35mf; Anna, 17mf; J.C., 16mm; R.D. 14mm (1850 Natchez census)

Andrew Leiper60 mm, $500 R.E., VA w/Andrew, 30, mm Servant, MS; Margaret, 28 mf; Caroline, 20 mf (1860 Natchez census)

Robert Leiper57 mm, drayman, MS w/Sophia, 44 mf; Hannah, 26 mf; James, 20 mm, carpenter; Daley, 24 mm, bricklayer; Mary W., 5 mf (1860 Natchez census)

John E. Brill to Bob Leaper, sale of Matilda, 1828

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book Q

P.365

John E. Brill to Bob Leaper Bill of Sale

Natchez June 17^th 1828

Received of Robert Leaper a free man of colour two hundred dollars in full for a negro woman which I have sold this day sold him named Matilda [The crease is right where her name is] aged about six years and which said negro I hereby warrant sound in mind and body a slave for life and free from the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whomsoever

Witness my hand and seal this 17^th June A.D. 1828

[some text not transcribed…same day recorded by Woodson Wren]

Leiper, Rosa (alias Rhoda) et al v. Huston, Felix, 1832

Historic Natchez Foundation

Box 52

File 10

To the Honorable Edward Turner, Judge of the Circuit Court of the County of Adams, and one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi

The Petition of Rose Leiper, commonly called Rhoda Leiper, Charlotte Hasset; Laura Hasset & Lorenzo Hasset, by infants under the age of twenty one years by their father & next friend William Hasset; Robert Leiper and Matilda Leiper, Mulattoes and Free People of Colour, Humbly Represent,

That on the third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, Your Petitioners, at the county and state aforesaid, were forcibly and unlawfully taken and deprived of their Liberty by one Felix Huston of the county and state aforesaid, and that they are now forcibly, unlawfully & wrongfully kept and detained as slaves, at the county aforesaid, by the said Felix Huston: and your Petitioners are informed that the said Felix Huston claims and holds them as the Slaves of John M. Merriwether, John De Hart and Mildred his wife, Reuben Merriwether & Isaac Ward and Betsy his wife, who are non-residents, whereas in fact and in Law Your Petitioners are not the slaves of any of [illegible] Persons, but that they and each of them are Free and entitled to their Liberty by the Laws of this State.

Whereupon your Petitioners would pray that process returnable to the next Term of this court ^ may issue against the said Felix Huston as required by Law directing him to appear & answer this petition; and that by the Fiat of this court your petitioners may be liberated from custody, on their giving bond according to Law; and that by the Judgment of this court your petitioners may be declared Free and be discharged from the custody of all persons whatsoever.

And your petitioners will forever pray &c

Geo: Adams, Walker & Potts for

Petitioners

By consent of Parties

Petition granted, & process ordered, & the Petitioners required to enter into Bond, as the law directs, in the penal sum of five thousand dollars, conditioned according to lawwith K. Barlow & J. C. Wilkins security

E.d. Turner, Judge 2d.

Jud.l Dis.t

Jan.y 6 1832

To the [illegible] Shff.

of Adams County

The above order was made by consent of parties & said Huston agreed not to join bond himself but to discharge sd persons on bond being given to him, he to suffer no [illegible] in the suit by so doingin any way

[signed by lawyers]

Circuit Court Adams County

To the May Term of said court

1832 4

Rose alias Rhoda Leiper et Als

Felix Huston

Petition for Freedom

And filed [illegible line but gives a date in 1832]

[illegible name] Clk

Served 13 January 1832

We the Jury find

that the Petitioners

are free & not Slaves

Motion for new trial at [illegible]

Term 1838. Same ordered

at July Spe? Term 1838

Execut.? To Oct Term 1838

Geo. Adams, Walker, & Potts for Petitioners

Rose Leiper et al

vs Ad. Circuit Court--Mississippi

Felix Huston

John Meriweather et al

vs U.S. District CourtMississippi District

Charles Lynch

Interrogatories to be propounded to Benj Roberts James Glenn, James Hill. Robert Owens, Sally GlennDaniel Levity and others

Witnesses on behalf of Huston. D___ of Meriweather & the Business to which to be read on the trial of each of the above cases

1st, QuestionDo you or do you not know the parties to the above suits

2ndWere you or were you not acquainted with Nicolas Meriweather in Kentucky in the year 1796 & before

3rdHad or had said Nicholas Meriweather a Cargo? & valuable property, at that time, and was he ^ or was he not in good & solvint [sic] circumstances

3.d What was the situation of said Meriweather as to solvency, in Jul? 1796State fully what you know as to his circumstances

4th Did you or did you not know a negro girl called Roseor Rhodathe property of said Meriweather in 1796--& for some time before

5th If you know said girl Rose or Rhoda Do you or do you not know how said Meriweather obtained herand from whomand on what terms

6th Was or was not said Rose or Rhoda received by said Nicholas Meriweather from the father of his first wife the mother of John M Meriweather, and had or had not said Richard Meriweather at the time he executed the deed of trust for his children by his first wifeMarried a second wifeviz? in Jun? 1796

7th Do you know anything in relation to the manner in which Nicholas Meriweather obtained Rose, and as to his inducements to secure this

[2nd page of the same page]

To the children of his first wife, If so state the same fully and at length

8th Do you know anything else material to the parties If so state if fully and at length

E & F. Hayton

for Mr N Meriweather

et al

1. Have you any interest in the event? Of this suit or either of them?

2. Are you related to any of the parties in these suits & to which of them

3. Which of the facts stated by you in answer to any of the interrogatories is stated from your own personal knowledge & which from the information of others & how & from whom do you derive that information

4. State any facts you may know material for defendants.

R. Walker

For Cha.s Lynch et al

Commission may issue immediately

R Walker

Apl 14th 1834

We agree that. A commission ^ or commissioners may issue now in the office of the circuit court of Adams County ^ immediately to take the depositions of the within named witnesses and othersand we [illegible few words] and all obligatories to formor then and consent that the answers to depositions taken tender said commission or commissioners may be read within in the Adams County, circuit courtor in the case of Meriweathers & Lynch in the U.S. District court for the Miss districsaid depositions known to be subject to legal objections to the answers

R. Walker

E & F. Huston

Know all men by these presents that I Nicholas Meriweather of the County of Shelby & State of Kentucky have Bargain’d sold & deliever’d unto Charles Lynch of the County & State aforesaid Vis? Negroes towitBobRose, Andrew, Peter, Charlotte, & Little Bob, for the Sum of four hundred & Sixty five pound Currant money of Kentucky to me in hand paid the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledg’d, & I hereby bind myself my Heirs &C to warrant & forever defend the title of the aforesaid negros against the claim of all persons whatever to the Said Lynch his Heirs &C. witness my hand & seal this 24th Day of Dec1803

Nicholas Meriweather

Witness

Wm Haslett

Rob.t Ralston

John M. Meriwether et al

v In the district court of the United States for the district

Charles Lynch of the state of Mississippi

Rose Leiper et al

vs In the Adams Circuit Court

Felix Huston

Depositions of Christopher Adams taken by consent to be read in the above cases & c Bene Esse

Question by RJ Walkerwere you acquainted with Nicholas Meriwether late of Shelby County Kentucky, the Father of John M Meriwether, if so state when & where, & what were the circumstances of ^ said Nicholas Meriwether when you first knew him,

AnswerDeponent saith that he was first acquainted with the said Nicholas Meriwether in 1797 in Shelby County Kentucky--& that said Nicholas Meriwether was poor & embarrassed at that time ^ but in possession of some little property but I believe that this property is not sufficient to pay his debts from common report? At that time

Questionwas said Nicholas Meriwether in good or bad credit in 1797 as regards solvency

AnswerHe was in bad credit

QuesHad you at that time any conversation with said Nicholas Meriwether as regards his pecuniary situation

AnswerThat he deponent, had a conversation with him said N. Meriwether as regards a Plantation he had previously sold & said Meriwether informed deponent that he had sold said plantation in consequence of his embarrassment that this plantation had been sold by said Meriwether previous to 1797.

QuesDid or did not Nicholas Meriwether own Rhoda, or Bob Leiper or either of them

Answer The said Meriwether did own Rhoda but not Bob, Bob was purchased by Colon? Lynch from a man of the name of Huston of Kentucky to the best of my recollection

QuesDo you know ^ whether Peter Leiper one of the negros claim’d in this suit is dead or living

Answersaid P Leiper is reported to be dead, & I have no doubt myself that he’s is [sic] dead

QusWhat do you suppose was the age of sd. N Meriwether in the year 1797

AnswerDeponent saith that he was an elderly man, & that he was married, had children, & grandchildren I believe

Sworn & subscribed before me Chris.r Adams

This 2n.d February 1833

Wm.B Melvin J.P.

Adams County State of Mississ.i

As agent and attorney for John M Meriweather Reuben Meriweather, John Dehart and Mildred Deheart his wifeIsaac Ward and Betsy Ward his wife, I have taken possession of Rhoda ^ or Rosa Leiper, Charlotte Hasset, and her child LorenzoRobert Leiper, and Matilda Leiper, I hold said negroes as slaves belonging to the persons for whom I am agent ^ and attorney and I have the same in courtconsidering them as slaves, and belonging to the persons above named.

F. Huston

Habeas Corpus case

Court House

Bob Leper & others Adams County

vs Return that def.t holds the

F. Huston

Petitioners as slaves, the property of John M. Merriweather & others

The Parties by their atto.ys Huston & Prentis for Defend.s & G. Adams & R.J. Walker for the Petitioners appear, & answer to continue the cause until the 2.d Monday in March next--& they agree to take depositions until that time on both sides, in the usual way in or out of the state.The Defend.ts power of attorney is admitted without further proof.

E. Turner Judge & c

Merriweathers

vs Dist Court, U.S. Miss Dist

Cha. Lynch

Rose Leiper et al

vs petition for freedom

F. Huston Adams Circuit Court

Interrogatories to be propounded to Tunstall, the answers to which to be read as evidence on the trial of the above cases

1st Are you or are you not acquainted with the parties in the above suits

2nd Were you or were you not acquainted with Rose Leiper the wife of Bob Leiper, in the possession of Nicholas Meriweather as early as 1796 and for some time before & after that period

3rd Do you or do you not know that when old Mr. Lynch bought said Rose about the year 1803 from Nicholas Meriwether, he knew that said Rose had been conveyed by a trust deed to the children of Nicholas Meriweather

by his second wife

4th Do you or Do you not know how long it is since Nicholas Meriweather died

5th Do you or do you not know any thing also of advantage to plffs if so state the same fully & at Length

F. Huston

1st Was Nicholas Meriwether embarrassed in his circumstances in 1796

2.d Do you know the reasons which induced said Meriweather to make a gift of all his property in 1796 to his childrenif aye state the same

3. were you informed by Charles Lynch since or [illegible] that he knew of the evidence of the alleged deed of trust? In 1803. –If not how & from whom is your information on this subject derived

4. State anything further material for defendant.

R J Walker

for defendant

We consent that a commission may issue from the office of the Circuit Court of Adams County to take the deposition of old Mr Trustall?and that the same may be read in the suit against Cha. Lynch in the U.S. Dist Court, as well as in the suit by the Leipers for their freedom, reserving objections as to competency of said testimony

R. Walker

for deft

To the Honourable [sic] Edward Turner Judge of the Circuit Court of the County of Adams. State of Mississippi & one of the Judges of the Supreme Court in & for the state aforesaid

The petition of Rhoda or Rose ^ Lieper Charlotte Hassett & her child Lorenzo ^ Hassett also of Robert Lieper & Matilda ^ Lieper respectfully represents that they have been forcibly ^ & unlawfully taken & deprived of their liberty and detained in custody by Felix Huston Esquire and are now so unlawfully detained by the said Felix Huston wherefore your petitioners pray that your Honour would direct the writ of Habeas Corpus to issue directed to the said Felix Huston commanding him forthwith to bring your petitioners before your Honour & to state the causes of their being by him the said Felix Huston so unlawfully detained and your petitioners further pray that they may by the judgment of your Honour be released from the custody of the said Felix Huston & restored to their liberty and your petitioners will ever pray & c

Geo Adams & Walker & Potts

Counsel of Petitioners

Robert Lieper being sworn saith that the facts set forth in the above petition are true.

Sworn & subscribed before me his

3 January 1832 Robert X Lieper

H. Tooley mark

Let a writ of Habeas Corpus issue according to the prayer of the foregoing Petition, returnable before me at the Court house in Adams County, at four OClock this afternoon

E. Turner Judge & c

To the Clerk of the Wednesday the 4 Jan.y

Court at Adams 1832

County

In Adams Circuit Court

Rob.t Leiper and others

vs Petition for H. Corpus

Felix Huston

Filed 4th. January 1832

Habeas Corpus issued at

The time of filing the Petition

H. H? Moss Clk

Habeas Corpus withdrawn

And Potts says he will pay

the costs

Geo. Adams

Atty Petitioners

Nicholas Meriwither

Deed of trust

John M Meriwither

[some kind of fee for $2.50]

Paid by Saml Worthington

Examined

James L. Whitaker

Shelby County Court

1. To all to whom these presents may come know ye that I Nicholas Merriwither of the County of Shelby and State of Kentucky do by these presents Constitute & appoint my Worthy friend & son in law Martin Daniel and my two Sons John Martin Merriwither & Reuben Merriwither Trustees to so much of my Estate as is herein after Given in their trust and Care for the purposes hereinafter directed Which is as forthwith vizt.

Be it known to all persons whom it may concern that I Nicholas Merriwither of the County and State aforesaid for the natural love and affection which I have unto my Sons John Martin Merriwither and Reuben Merriwither and my daughters Betsey Merriwither and Mildred Merriwither but more especial for the Sum of five punds to me in hand paid the receipt whereof I the said Nicholas Merriwither by these presents do hereby acknowledge have been granted and confirmed unto my above named Trustees Martin Daniel John Martin Merriwither and Reuben Merriwither for the use and Benefits herein after directed Subject to the direction and contracts of the said Nicholas

2nd Merriwither herein after expressed in these presents that is to say I Give in trust as aforesaid One Negro Woman named Rose and her child naimed [sic] Andrew and their future increase to my Sons John Martin Merriwither Reuben Merriwither and my daughters Betsey Merriwither and Mildred Merriwither to be Equally divided among them at my death But in case my death Should happen before the death of my Wife Mrs. Betsey Merriwither I so direct that there shall be no division until she marrys [sic] or dies then I Give to my two Sons John Martin Merriwither Reuben Merriwither and my two daughters Betsey Merriwither and Mildred Merriwither the before mentioned Rose and her child Andrew and their Increase to them & their heirs forever to be equally divided Amongst them and do direct that my trustees hire out the said negroes and pay the hire to me the Said Nicholas Merriwither so long as I may live and after my death to Mrs. Betsey Merriwither for the support of each of us and said children

3d for the Support of each of us and said children during their minority. I likewise give in Trust aforesaid to my Trustees namely Martin Daniel, John Martin Merriwither, and Reuben Merriwither for the use herein after Mentioned all the principal and Interest now due or which may hereafter become due on John Waggoners bond to me for the Sum of nineteen hundred and fifty pounds bearing date the thirteenth day of June one thousand seven and ninety five and to become due the thirteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and two Which bond together with a Mortgage made to me by the said Waggoner for Certain lands as Security for the payment of Said Bond which Mortgage bearing the same date of the said Bond will more fully make appear which Bond Mortgage I do hereby make Over and assign in Trust to my before mentioned Trustees for the use and purposes herein after directed and they are hereby directed to receive the Interest and

4th Principal as the same shall become due and to pay the yearly Interest to me so long as I may live and in Case my Wife Mrs. Betsey Merriwither should out live me then after my death my Trustees are directed to pay the yearly Interest arising to her which Interest arising from said Bond and paid as above shall be for the support of myself her and my Children [space] Above named during their Infancy, or until Marriage and no longer and shall only be paid to my Wife during her Widowhood or death then I Give all the Principal that is then due on said Bond to be Equally divided ^ between my two Sons and two daughters namely John Martin Merriwither Reuben Merriwither Betsey Merriwither and Mildred Merriwither to them and their heirs forever after my death and the death or Marriage of my Wife after my death I likewise Give in Trust as aforesaid to my Trustees Martin Daniel John Martin Merriwither and Reuben Merriwither for the purposes

herein after directed One Bond Given to me from Richard Stephens and Walter Beall for Payment of the Sum of Two hundred and fifty Pounds Bearing date the fifth day of April one thousand and seven hundred and ninety six and payable the fifth day of April Eighteen hundred then to Carry interest from the date One other Bond given by the said Richard Stephens and Walter Beall to me for the Sum of two hundred and fifty pounds bearing date the fifth day of April One thousand Seven hundred and ninety Six and payable the fifth day of April Eighteen hundred & one to carry Interest from the date one other bond Given by the said Richard Stephens and Walter Beall for the Sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds bearing date the fifth day of April one thousand Seven hundred and ninety Six and payable the fifth day of April Eighteen hundred to Carry Interest from the date. One other Bond Given by the Said Richard

6. Stephen and Walter Beall for the Sum of One hundred and fifty pounds bearing dates the fifth day of April one thousand Seven hundred and ninety six and payable the fifth day of April One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine to Carry Interest from the date which several Bonds as above I do hereby assign Own in Trust to my Trustees as above Named for the use and purposes herein after directed and they are hereby directed to receive the yearly Interest and Principal as the same shall become due and to pay the yearly Interest to me so long as I may live and In Case my Wife Mrs Betsey Bitsey Merriwither should Outlive me then my Trustees after my death shall pay the yearly Interest arrising [sic] to Her which Interest arrising [sic] from said Binds and paid as above shall be for the Support of myself She and my Children as above named during there [sic] Infancy or until marriage and no longer and shall be only paid to my Wife during her Widowhood or death Then I Give all the Principal

7. and Interest that may after become due on all the aforesaid Bonds to be Equally divided amongst my two sons John Martin Merriwither Reuben Merriwither and ,y two daughters Betsey Merriwither and Mildred Merriwither to them and their heirs forever I Likewise Give in trust as aforesaid to my Trustees Martin Daniel John Martin Merriwither & Reuben Merriwither for the purpose of discharging my Just debts one other Bond Given by Richard Stephens and Walter Beall to me for the Sum of three hundred pounds or so much thereof as shall be at this time unpaid as Will appear from the Bond and Receipt on the said Bond for thirty Eight pounds. Eight shillings which Bond Becoming date the fifth day of April One thousand seven hundred and ninety six and will become due the fifth day of April one thousand seven hundred & ninety Eight and for no other purpose whatsoever and I do hereby assign Over the Bond aforesaid in Trust for the Purpose aforesaid to my Trustees Martin Daniel John Martin Merriwither

8. and Reuben Merriwether and I do further authorise [sic] & direct that Martin Daniel shall act above as Trustee to this Deed of Trust untill [sic] my son or sons shall Come of Lawful age to Act and perform the duties herein required Jointly with him and I do ^ hereby direct that my Trustees herein before named shall Keep all moneys herein before mentioned that shall be the principal of Such Bonds as I have directed the Interest to be paid to me &c (at Interest for and during the Term and for the purpose herin [sic] before directed and pay the yearly Interest yearly & and every year as herein before directed and that my Trustees settle and in way with and render account in that manner they have Complyed [sic] with their Trust Given under my hand and seal this tenth day of December One thousand Seven hundred and ninety Six.

Nicholas Merriwither [Seal]

Shelby county ?

January County Court 1797 this Deed of Trust was acknowledged by the within named Nicholas

Merriwither to be his act and Deed & Ordered to be Recorded

Tste James Craig c c.

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Shelby County Gct.

I James S. Whitaker clerk of the County Court in the Commonwealth aforesaid do Certify that the foregoing deed is truly Copied from the Records in my Office

In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand and Caused the seal of said County to be hereto aforesaid at Shelbyville this 9th day of Oct. 1830 and 39th Year of the Commonwealth Att James S. Whitaker Shelby County Court.

State of Kentucky

Shelby County Pet?

I Sam W. White Senior and presiding Justice of the Shelby County Court in the State aforesaid do certify that the foregoing certificate and attestation of James S. Whitaker who is Clerk of the Shelby County Court in the state aforesaid is in due form of law but that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such

Given under my hand as aforesaid this 9th day of October 1820

Sam W. White P,J,S,C,C

Rose Leiper, Charlotte Haztill, Laura Haztill & Lorenzo Haztill infants under the age of 21 years by their father & next friend Wm Haztill, Robert Leiper & Matilda leiper [sic]

Vs petition for freedom Adams County

F. Huston Circuit Court May term 1832

F. Huston, deft in the above case answers & says that he took possession of the slaves above named as the agent & attorney of Tho. M. Merriweather & others who claim them under a recorded instrument of writing made by Nicholas Merriweather in 1796Said Huston charges & alleges that said negroes are not free but are slaves and of this he puts himself upon the country

Issue by consent? F. Huston

R Walker

F. Huston

State of Mississippi

Adams County

Know all men by these presents that We James G. Wilkins & Noah Barlow are held and firmly bound to Felix Huston in the sum of five thousand dollars, to be paid to the said Huston for which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this 7th day of Jany A.D. 1832,

Now the condition of this obligation is such, that whereas said Huston, has possession of certain, persons, as agent^ and attorney [illegible]for John Merriweather and others and holds possession of said persons, as slaves for life, said persons being Rose Leiper, Charlotte Hazzard, Laura Hazzard and Lorenzo Hazzard, Robert Leiper, and Matilda Leiper, people of colour, and whereas said persons have petitioned the circuit court of Adams county for their freedom and whereas said Huston has agreed that he will not retain said people of colour in

his possession, on their giving bond to him, & c and whereas at the time of entering into this bond said Huston discharges said negroes out of his possession and permits them to go at large, now if the said petition for freedom is decided against said negroesor dismissed or otherwise disposed of against said negroesand if said Wilkins and Barlow shall in any such event or events, deliver said negroes into the possession of said Huston, and pay him the costs of the said petition for freedom, and a reasonable price for the hire of said negroes from this date till they are delivered to him on the termination of the suit for freedom ^ by trial judgment or otherwise against said negroes--, then this obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtueand said Wilkins and Barlow hereby acknowledge the right of said Huston to take this bond and to receive all advantages from a forfeiture thereofand they waive all technical objections thereto, it being intended as a private contract and not as a statutory bond, the petition for freedom above referred to is the one presented to the Honorable Edw.d Turner and on which

his trial was made by the consent of the sd. Huston & of the counsel for sd negroes

J.G. Wilkins (seal)

John Taylor Noah Barlow

I Elisha Lindsay late Deputy Sheriff for William Johnson Sheriff of Shelby County State of Kentucky hereby certify that whilst acting in the Sheriff’s Office as afforesaid [sic], there came into my hands sundry Executions, together with fee bills Taxes etc against Colonel Charles C Lynch of the County and State aforesaid, and that he being from home at that time (perhaps in New Orleans), I levied the aforesaid Claims on a family of Negroe [sic] Slaves (towit) a large yellow complected [sic] Man nam’d Bob, his Wife Rhoda, Andrew, Peter, Charlott, and Bob, then a sucking child Children of the above named Bob & Rhoda, those Negroes Proposed? to Sale, to the highest bidder, in the fore part of the year 1805 and to the best of my recollection in the month of March, and that a certain Christopher Adamson was the highest bidder and became the Purchaser of the aforesaid Negroes for the benefit and use of Charles Lynch Jr of South Carolina to whom they then did belong

belong in conveyance of the aforesaid Purchase, and that the Money to the Amount of the Sale aforesaid was paid to me in behalf of said Charles Lynch Jn.r. and which Property was always after the sale as above mentioned considered by me as Deputy Sheriff as the Property of said Charles Lynch Jn.r as I received in his behalf the real Value of the Negroes as above I then acting as Sheriff.Some time after my time being expired as Deputy Sheriff of the County and State as above mentioned the same Negroes were taken by in Execution against the said Lynch, which was put into the hands of my Successor, and as Christopher Adams the former purchaser for Charles Lynch Jn.r had previous to this transaction left Kentucky and decended [sic] the River to Orleans, I attended at the Day of Sale, and inhibited the Claim and Title of Charles Lynch Jn.r upon which the then acting Sheriff summoned a Jury to try the Title of the

of the aforesaid Negroes and on their investigating the Titles, they determined it to be in Charles Lynch Jn.r favor upon which the Sheriff declined selling and returned the aforesaid Negroes from whence he had taken them.

Given from under my Hand at St. Helen? This 19th day of July Anno 1809.

E Lindsay

Merriwither & al In Dist court of the U States

vs for the State of Mississippi

Charles Lynch

Rose Leper & al petition for freedom in

vs Adams Circuit court

Felix Hueston [sic] State of Mississippi

In the above cases it is admitted that Nicholas Merriwither executed the instrument recorded in Shelby County Kentucky dated Dec. 12. 1796. & acknowledged & recorded as stated in the copy now in the possession? of Felix Hueston [sic] copied ? by Samuel N. White & James S Whitaker as truly copied from the records of Shelby county Kentucky. It is also admitted that Nicholas Meriwither these above plaintiffs claim executed a bill of sale for all the negroes in question to Said Charles Lynch dated 24 of Dec. 1803 witnessed by Wm. Hazelett and Robert Ralston as per the original in the possession of R Walker & that since said 24 Dec. 1803 all said slaves have been in the possession of said Charles Lynch untill [sic] about the year 1826. Those who have? sued for their freedom were duly emancipated by said Lynch & have enjoyed their freedom from that time to the [illegible] of this suit for freedom in which it is agreed that the right of all said negroes for freedom may be may be triedthe dates of the emancipation may be notified by their documents if there be any mistake as to the date May 1. 1832.

R. Walker

It is further agreed that the negroes sued for against Charles Lynch are in his possession & were when suit was brought, and that they are the [illegible first part of a word continued on the next page]

Merriweathers & c United States District Court

vs for the District of Mississippi

Charles Lynch 1832

Rose Leper et al

vs Petition for freedom--

Felix Huston Adams Circuit Court 1832

Deposition of Thomas T. Tunstale taken by consent of parties before Cyrus Griffin on the first day of May eighteen hundred and thirty twoto be read on the hearing of either and both the above causes

Thomas T. Tunstale being duly sworn deposes and says he is acquainted with the parties to the above suits with the exception of Charles Lynch and a part of the children of Rose Leiper

Questions by F. Huston

1. Were you or not acquainted with Nicholas Merriweather of Shelby County Kentucky?

Ans. Deponent answers in the affirmativeand that he knew him for thirty odd yearsthat said Merriweather died about three or four years since

2. Were you acquainted with the children of said Merriweather John MReubenBetsey--& Mildred

Ans. Deponent was acquainted with them allDeponent further says that one of the daughters married John D-Hartanother married Isaac Ward

3. Did you or not hear any of the plaintiffs to the first above stated suit say they had employed Felix Huston to obtain the Leper family of negroes for them

Ans Deponent heard John M Merriweather and John D’Hart say that they had so employed said Huston

4. Were you or not acquainted, as early as the year 1796 with Rose Leiper the wife the wife of Bob Leper and was she or not then in the possession of Nicholas Meriweather, and claimed by him as his slave?

Ans. Deponent remembers Rose Leper among the earliest of his recollectionshe is now about forty years of ageShe was in possession of Merriweather for a number of years,--claimed as his property, and generally so understood to be

5 Have you or not seen the said Rose Leper in Natchez and recognized her within a short time past?

Ans. Deponent has seen the said Rose and her husband Bob Leperand recognized them within the space of two months past in this place

6. Was or not Nicholas Merriweather a man of property

Ans. Deponent says he wasand generally considered a wealthy man in his place of residence

7. Do you or not reside in the Territory of Arkansasand do you or not intend to leave Natchez for that place immediately

Ans Deponent says that he resides in Arkansas and intends to proceed thither as soon as he can get a boat

Cross Interrogatories by Walker & Pots

1. Do you or not recollect the precise time when you saw these negroes in controversy in the possession of Nicholas Merriweather

Ans. Deponent says it is difficult to recollect the precise time & says he resided in the neighborhood of Merriweather from the time he was two years oldand says he can remember Rose Leper as long as he can remember anything

2. Do you know whether Nicholas Merriweather has ever been embarrassed in his pecuniary circumstances, and if so at what time?

Ans Deponent says Merriweather was always considered a man of wealth until after he came to this countrySince that time he has heard that Merriweather had run through with his propertyDeponent does not know the precise times

When Merriweather came to this countrysays it was long after the year 1803

3. Do you or not know at what time the negroes in controversy went out of the possession of Merriweather?

Ans. Deponent does not know

4 Do you or not know of the purchase of these negroes by Lynch from Merriweather

Ans. Deponent says he does not

5. Do you or not know whether Nicholas Merriweather left any property other than these slaves at the time of his death?

Ans Deponent answers in the negative

6. Are you or not acquainted with William Haslitt and Robert Ralestine?where did they resideand are they still living?

Ans. Deponent knew Haslitt welland knew a man in Shelby County in Kentucky (thinks it must be the man referred to) by the name of RalestineHaslitt also resided near Shelbyville in Shelby County State of Kentucky

Further Questions by F. Huston

1. Was or not Nicholas Merriweather a very aged man when you first knew him

Ans Deponent says he was

Further Questions by Walker & Potts

1. Was or not the negroes in controversy ever in the possession of the children of Nicholas Merriweather?

Ans Not to deponents Knowledge

2 Do you or not know the ages of the children of Merriweather?

Deponent says that John M Merriweather is [illegible]

Upwards of forty five years of ageDeponent does not know the ages of the othersbut Mildred he thinks is the oldestThey are all over the age of twenty one years

Deponent knows nothing further material in this case

Sworn to and subscribed Thos T Tunstale

before me this 1st day of May

1832 Cyrus Griffin J.P.

We agree that the foregoing deposition may be read in the trial of the foregoing named cases, removing objections as to competency

May 1st 1832 F Huston

R Walker

Rose Leiper et al-- Merriweathers

Vs and U.S. Dist Ct

F. Huston-- Lynch

Thomas T. Tunstale states that Mrs Merriweather wife of old Nicholas has been dead for many yearssays that he understood at the time in the family that Rose, came to Mrs Merriweathers father, and was given under condition that she should be secured to her & his children--& has always understood that to be the case since from those acquainted with the subject

Sworn & subscribed Thos T Tunstale

before me this 11th April

1833

W B Melvin J.P

[A bit not transcribed but it is Huston and Walker agreeing that his testimony can be read in court]

[HNF note: Plaintiff, a slave belonging to Felix Huston, claims to have been free and taken into slavery unlawfully. Seeks freedom for herself and family. Extensive depositions included. Jury finds the plaintiff and her family to be free and not slaves. Manumission habeas corpus]

Charles Lynch to Bob Leiper and others, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book T

Pgs. 387-8

Charles Lynch to Bob Leiper and others

To the Honorable Robert Ogden Esquire Parish Judge in and for the parish of Concordia in the State of Louisiana

The petition of Charles Lynch respectfully represents that he is desirous of manumitting in due form of law his slaves named Bobb Leiper about fifty eight years of age, his wife Rhoda about fifty one years of age and their daughter Charlotte about thirty years of age Your petitioner further represents that in the last four years as well as during all their lives the said Bobb Rhoda and Charlotte have been honest faithful and diligent without having runaway and without having committed any robbery or being guilty of any criminal misdemeanor to the knowledge of your petitioner and that said Bobb Rhoda and Charlotte are in every respect entitled to the provisions of the act concerning Emancipation passed March 9^th 1807 Your petitioner prays that your honor will issue the order of notification required by law at the termination of which your petitioner will execute such act? Of emancipation as is directed by law and in every respect comply with the provisions of the Statue in such case made and provided ? your petitioner will ever pray & c. Concordia 25^th May 1826

Charles Lynch

[Elsewhere in the other details of the document, Charlotte is referred to as “Charlotte Leiper Hassett.” Recorded in Natchez on 11^th July 1832]

Robert Leiper to Robert, manumission, 1831

Deed Book T

P. 34

Robert Leiper to P.L. Mitchell Powr. Atty.

Know all men by these presents that I Robert Leiper of the City of Natchez and State of Mississippi, do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friend Mr. P.L. Mitchell of the City and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney for me and in my desire to emancipate and set free according to the laws of the State of Ohio, my negro man slave called and known by the name of Robert in as full and ample a manner to all intents and purposes as if I myself was personally present, consenting to the same and for that purpose do sign, execute, and acknowledge all such acts or deeds or instruments of writing as by the laws of Ohio aforesaid may deem necessary, hereby giving to my said attorney in the premises full and ample power to carry into effect the full interest and meaning of the Instrument

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at the City of Natchez this 22^nd day of June A.D. 1831

his

Robert x Leiper

Mark

[More details, not transcribed]

[Footnote from Johnson Diary: Dembo had been freed by direction of the will of Samuel Gibson, illiterate free man of color, who had been a Natchez property owner as early as 1823 and died in 1832. Samuel Gibson had left his estate “consisting in a house and lot where I now reside and a vacant lot near the theatre” to “the issue of my body begotten on free woman of color named Esther,” whom he had already freed. He had also left his “personal estate consisting of drays horses, mules, cattle, working utensils, &c &c and money in Bank” to be used for the education and support of his children. Dembo worked for the estate until 1835 when he was emancipated in Ohio; he was still in Natchez in 1843. Mary Ann Gibson was perhaps one of Samuel Gibson’s children. The Liepers were a large free Negro family in Natchez. All of them probably stemmed from Robert Lieper, Sr., who in 1826 was emancipated, along with his wife and daughter, by Charles Lynch, governor of MS, 1836-38. Lynch subsequently sold to Robert Lieper, Sr., his son Robert, Jr., and a Natchez lot. Robert Lieper, Sr., then emancipated Robert, Jr., another daughter, and a granddaughter (whom he had purchased), and in 1838 sailed for Liberia, accompanied by his daughter-in-law and her two children. According to the above entry in Johnson’s diary, former Governor Lynch must have been still selling Lieper children to the free Liepers remaining in Natchez. See Deed books P, Q, R, S, T, AA & Sydnor, p. 345]

Mary Leeper Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 8

March Term 1832

Mary Leeper, a free woman of dark complexion about thirty years of age five feet two inches high having satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Mary Leeper be and she is hereby authorized and licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled “an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Matilda Leeper Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 11

March Term 1832

Matilda Leeper, a free mulatto Girl of a light copper Colour about 17 years old 5 feet 6 inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Matilda Leeper be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Andy Leeper Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 7

March Term 1832

Andy Leeper, a free mulatto man about thirty eight years old five feet six inches high right leg off at the knee having satisfied the court of his good character and honest deportment

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Leiper be and he is hereby authorized and licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Andrew Leiper Police Board Records, September 1841

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 320

Special September Term 1841

The following applications for license to remain in this State, by free Negroes, and Mulattoes, were Ordered to be rejected To wit

The applications of Robert D.A. Smith

Priscilla Harriet Stern

Joe Cornish Armstead Carter

Nathl. Stearns Easter Stearns

Andrew Leiper Albert Tolbot?

Winney Washington Stearns

Abagail Charlotte

Robert Leeper Police Board Records, 1832

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 11

March Term 1832

Robert Leeper, a free man of collour twenty three years old five feet eight inches high having satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.

It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Robert Leeper be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20^th December AD 1831.

Robert Leiper, Police Board Records, September 1841

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board Records

P. 319

Special September Term 1841

Robert Leiper, a free Negro of light Complexion about thirty years of age, and five feet six inches in heighth, having Satisfied the Board that he was of good character and honest deportment; It was thereupon Ordered by the Board, that he be and he is hereby licensed to remain in this State pursuant to the Statute in this behalf

9 Sep., 1841 (Johnson Diary)"Poor Andrew Leeper was, I understand, ordered off to day…I saw an article to day that Mary Leeper has a Bill of Sale for Andrew Leeper and it is nothing moore than an Article of agreement between Mr Lynch and Herself, which Binds her to pay him $200 on [or] before the first of March next and the date not put on itIt then went on in the form of a receipt, one for the sum of $85 and the other for One hundred and fourteen Dollars and 50 cts, the whole being 50 cts Less than the Amount she was to pay for himand in another part He, Lynch, promises to Emancipate said Andrew at the Expense of Mary LeeperI see very plainly that Lynch Can do as he pleases in the affairOh what a Country we Live in.”

Catherine

“Aug. 11, 1839 (Johnson Diary) Catharine Lieper Died to Day or this afternoon. Aug. 12Catharine Lieper was buried to Day. They had a Very Large Procession Indeed.”

Robert Leper to Ann Gibson Power of Attorney, 1830

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book S

P. 62

Robert Leper To Ann Gibson Power of Attorney, 27 April, 1830“Know, all men by there presents that I Robt Leper of the City of Natchez in the State of Mississippi free man of coleur do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Mary Ann Gibson of the County of Adams and State aforesaidmy true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to emancipate and set free according to the laws of the State of Ohio my daughter Matilda who is my slave according to the laws of the State…” [Signed with his mark].

[Footnote: “Fullman was probably unlicensed Thomas Fullman, husband of Matilda Lieper, free woman of color who had a license to remain in the state. See Adams County Deed Records, X, 473,” (Johnson Diary, 342)].

Purchase of Ellen, Mulatto Girl by Bob Leiper

Dolph Briscoe Center

Natchez Trace Collection

Legal Records

Warren County, MS

Court of Common Pleas, 1799-1802

Box 2E773

I do hereby certify that during my residence in Natchez some number of years hence a small yellow Girl by the name of Ellen was sold under Execution by L. Forsyth, Sheriff, as the Property of Wilson B. Harper (Hooper?) and purchased by Bob Leiper (so called through Christopher H Kyle, to whome he Bob Leeper applied to so bid for him, and to whom the money was furnished by Bob Leeiper. That said Bob was at that timelong before and afterward the slave of Charles Lynch for whome I acted as agentand being a slave could not receive or hold a Bill of Sale in his own name, so Bob was placed in Natchez with his family to labour with his team-carts-dray & c. for the benefit of his Master and to hand over to me, as his agent all over and above their support for a considerable time and a considerable amount and accounted for [unreadable] my books will shew

I was living in Natchez during these transactions and well acquainted with all the parties, and every minutiae here.

[next page]

State (if any) that does not come under My own Personal KnowledgeI had a good opportunity of judging & believe of them to be facts

Given under my hand this 31^st March 1837 in Warren County Ms

M. Terrell

Case of Ellen, Mulatto Girl

Possessed by Charles Lynch

Dolph Briscoe Center

Natchez Trace Collection

Legal Records

Adams County, MS

Court of Common Pleas, 1799-1802

Box 2E773

State of Mississippi

Hinds County Set

Personally appeared before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid. Anselm Lynch, who being duly sworn and questioned as to the possession of a certain girl slave, deposed that in the year 1827 or 1828 to the best of his recollection, he saw a certain little yellow girl named Ellen at Monticello and in the possession of Charles Lynch. I also saw this said little yellow girl with a family of slaves which Charles Lynch had at Natchez, which family of slaves was at that time & had been for many years under the control of Jeremiah Terrell then acting as the agent of Charles Lynch

Anselm Lynch

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9^th day of June 1838

J P ??

Sophia Leiper, Police Board Records, 1843

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board of Minutes, 1832-45

Feb., 1843“Sophia Leiper, a free woman of Color of dark mulatto complexion, aged about twenty seven years and five feet two inches in height, having satisfied the Board that she was of good character and honest deportment, she was thereupon licensed to remain in the State pursuant to the act of the Legislature in this behalf.”

Sophia Leiper, Police Board Records, 1843

Adams County Chancery Court

Police Board of Minutes, 1832-45

Nov., 1843“Sophia Leiper, a free woman of color having produced to the Board satisfactory proof of her good moral character and that it is the desire of the majority of the Citizens of Natchez that said Sophia reside in said City, it is thereupon ordered by the Board that said Sophia Leiper be licensed to reside in said City, under the provisions of an act of the Legislature entitled ‘an act for the relief of Henry Lee and others, and for other purposes’ approved July 25, 1843.”

Oct. 20, 1836 (Johnson Diary)"Mrs Lieper has her Litle Daugter this morning.”

Mar. 21, 1837 (Johnson Diary)Mr. Thom Evans Came up to my shop to tell French William that he must not Let him find Him coming about his primices again. French had bee peeping through his fence at one of His Girls on Sunday Last. Big Madison West [a free black] & a Black Fellow by the name of Lewis Wyley (free black) gave a party at Robt Liepers [free black]. French was invited and I would not Let him Go.

Aug. 3, 1845 (Johnson Diary)Margaret Lieper goes up to Rodney this morning on the Paul Jones. I got a letter from Mrs. Miller; she had her old Billy sold on a years credit for $500.

Sep. 20, 1850 (Johnson Diary)Willam, Margarett, Jener [Eugenia?] and Antony came up to[o] this evening late. Wm drove up Bob in the little buggy and brot up my little Geener and Margarett Lieper. She had been down on a visit

Robert Leiper and wife to George W. Koontz, 1859

Adams County Chancery Court

Deed Book MM

Pgs. 356-7

[Not transcribing details at all except to say it was a land conveyance from Robert and Sophia, for $650 of a lot that he had since 1834. Recorded 8/11/59].

Leiper, Fanny

The State of Mississippi Southern District Chancery Court

Fanny Leiper

Malvina Huffman, O.S. Bemis, Joseph Winscott & James Walsh.

Pleas before the Honourable James M. Smiley, Vice Chancellor of the State of Mississippi for the Southern District at a Southern District Chancery Court begun and held at the Court Room, in the City of Natchez Adams County, on the Fourth Monday of June A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Fifty one.

Be it Remembered, that heretofore to wit: on the 2^nd day of December A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Forty Seven, the Complainant Fanny Leiper, by her Solicitors filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Southern District Chancery Court, of the State of Mississippi, her certain Bill of Complaint against the Defendants Malvina Huffman; Oliver L. Bemis; Joseph Winscott & James Walsh, which reads in the words and figures following to wit:

To the Honourable James M. Smiley, Vice Chancellor of the State of Mississippi for the Southern District, holding Sessions of the Southern District Chancery Court of the State aforesaid, at Natchez

Respectfully complaining showeth unto Your Honor, Your Oratrix Fanny Leiper, a Free Woman of Colour residing at Cincinnatti in the State of Ohio, that about the year 1834 she resided in the City of Natchez, and having some little money of her own, she desired to invest it in real property in the said City of Natchez to carry out which she then contracted with one John R. Wells, at that time residing at Natchez but since at St. Louis, for the purchase of the following Lot of Ground, to wit: all that piece or parcel of Land situate, lying, and being on the Bluff, near the lighthouse in the City of Natchez, designated in the map projected and certified by Levin Wailes, Surveyor of said City, and recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Count Court of Adams County; by the number twenty three, bounded and limited on the Southwest by Lot No 24; on the Southeast by the Northwest boundary of the Common or promenade ground, reserved in the compromise between the Corporation of the City of Natchez and Jefferson College; and on the northwest by the brow of the Bluff; which seperates this lot of lot No 16; which lot has a front on the said line of the common, of One Hundred and fifty feet and estimated on the South West and Northeast by parallel lines estimated from the said common to the Bluff, in the direction North 60 degrees West, as indicated by the Magnetic Needle, without allowance for variation, which is 8 degrees 4 [too many technical details…skip some..] about twenty feet it being the said lot of land conveyed prior to that time, by Catherine Minor Executrix and John Minor Executor of the last Will and testament of Stephen Minor deceased to Simon Rice, and said Rice since Conveyed to said John R. Wells, for which your Oratrix paid down the sum of One Hundred Dollars and gave note to the said John R. Wells for the residue, which she paid to said Wells about the nineteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight-Hundred and Thirty six, at which time the John R. Wells requested your Oratrix to have a Deed drawn up, and he would execute and deliver the same to Your Oratrix. She further shows that being a single woman and a colored one, although having more than three fourths part of white blood, she concluded to advise with her attorney about the drawing the deed, and did so; who advised Your Oratrix to have the Deed made jointly to herself and some white person, as there was a great spirit at that time to remove from the State all free persons of Color, so that in the event, that your Oratrix should be forced to remove that such white person could manage and dispose of said Lot for her benefit, as a trustee for her And your Oratrix then having great confidence in the friendship and fidelity of the Joseph Winscott then residing in New Orleans for her, directed her said Counsel to draw the Deed for said Lot to him, said Winscott & your Oratrix Jointly, which was done, and the same was on the day and year last aforesaid, signed sealed and acknowledged by the said John R. Wells and by him delivered to your Oratrix alone, and who caused the same to be duly recorded. All of which will more fully and at large appear by reference to the aforesaid Deed, which is herewith filed, marked Exhibit “A” and which is prayed to be made part of this Bill in which the name of said Winscott has been attempted since to be erased

Your Oratrix charges that the said Joseph Winscott, was not at that time, nor indeed ever a resident of Natchez and in point-of-fact never did accept said deed, or agree to execute the intended trusts, and never did have or take possession of said Lot, and never during the residence of Your Oratrix in Mississippi so far as she knows or believes nor at any other time whatsoever through or by her receive information at the making of said Deed, or know it was made to him and herself jointly

Your Oratrix also files herewith the reciept of said John R. Wells for the first payment on said purchase bearing date the 14 April 1834, which shows that by the original terms the purchase was at the price of $175 but in consequence of delay in the last payment, it was made the sum of two Hundred dollars as aforesaid, which reciept for greater certainty is herewith filed marked Exhibit B and is made part of this Bill: Your Oratrix further shows that immediately after said purchase, she commenced improving said lot and ultimately finished a dwelling house, with six rooms, a kitchen, out House and enclosures which cost her in money besides the purchase money of said Lot, the sum of fifteen hundred and sixty two dollars, besides other small sums for a variety of minute expenses, such as transplanting and setting out fruit and ornamental trees &c &c which cost your Oratrix the further sum at least One Hundred Dollars. Your Oratrix further shows that from the time of her said purchase, up to her leaving the City of Natchez in the Year 1845, she occupied and held said lot and improvements as her own exclusive and separate property, had it assessed for taxation and paid all the County, City and State taxes on the same as her separate property up to the time of her said removal, as will appear by the collectors reciepts herewith filed, marked Exhibits C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, & T, all of which are prayed to be made part of this Bill.

She further shows that in the month of May 1845, when she removed from Natchez, she appointed Samuel R. Hammit? Of said City her agent to collect the rents off of said premises and to lease the same whenever vacant; to pay taxes on the same &c.

But so it is that one Malvina J. Huffman commonly called Malvina Mitchell (having knowledge that the said Deed from John R. Wells, was made to said Joseph Winscott & Your Oratrix), procured one Oliver L. Bemis to confederate with her, and between them, as your Oratrix is informed and believed, they did falsely and fraudulently represent to the said Joseph Winscott, that the legal title in said Lot & premises was in him alone, that your Oratrix was a slave, could not hold it, that your Oratrix had run off from the city, and said property was going to ruin and was of little or no value, that your Oratrix had given it to him, and he had right to sell the same, all which representations were made for the purpose of cheating and defrauding your Oratrix; by means of which they procured the said Joseph Winscott to convey the said Lot and premises to her the said Malvina Huffman who is and then was the paramour of said Oliver L. Bemis for the nominal consideration of One Hundred Dollars, by deed bearing date the 2^nd day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Forty five and afterwards admitted to Record in the Office of the Probate Court of Adams County, a duly certified copy of which is herewith filed marked Exhibit “U”and which is prayed to made part of this BillWhen in truth and in fact said property cost your Oratrix greatly more, and than $1700, and would have sold for one Thousand Dollars, or near that sum at that time.

Your Oratrix further shows that she as well as her agent the said Samuel R. Hammett were wholly ignorant of the pretended sale and conveyance, when about the 20^th day of October 1845, one Maria Ann Cooper, who had been the tenant of your Oratrix, of said Lot and improvements at the rate of eight dollars per month, moved out of the same, and returned the keys of the house of said Lot to her said Agent Hammett, whereupon the said Malvina J. Huffman, either personally or by her said Confederate Oliver L. Bemis sent word to said Hammett to sent to her the keys of said house, that she had purchased the said House and Lot from your Oratrix, and the said Hammett supposing said representations true, sent the keys to her to wit; on or about the 20^th day of October 1845, whereupon by the said fraudulent and unjust means, the said Malvina J. Huffman obtained the possession of said Lot and premises, and by herself and agentone James Walsh, residing in the City of Natchez, has retained the possession ever since. She further shows that since the occupation of said property by the said Malvina Huffman, and those holding under her, the same has been greatly abused and put out of repairs, by destroying her shade & fruit trees, fences, windows &c&c thereon, and has been damaged thereby to the amount of at least three hundred Dollarsthat since the time of obtaining the possession of the same in the fraudulent manner aforesaid, the said property has been worth the amount rent of One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars: That the said Malvina Huffman and her said Agent have refused to restore Your Oratrix to the possession of the same and pretended to claim and does claim to said Lot and premises as her own property

Your Oratrix expressly charges that said Winscott never before the making of said false and fraudulent representations, by either the said Oliver L. Bemis or the said Malvina, claimed or pretended to claim any interest in said property, or in fact knew that it had been conveyed to him for any purpose. That said Malvina was fully informed of the purchase made by your Oratrix, of the improvements put upon the same by Your Oratrix, long after any acquaintance which once existed between said Winscott and herself had ceased. That said Malvina and your Oratrix lived on adjoining lots during a large portion of the time that said improvements were being made, and were upon terms of intimacyThat said Winscott had in fact no interest in said property other than as trustee for your Oratrix, and his attempt to convey the same was a fraud upon your Oratrix and her rights; attempted to carried out By the instrumentality and agency of said Malvina and the said Bemiss

All which actings and doings on the part of the said Malvina Huffman and others so confederated with her, and the conveyance aforesaid of the said Joseph Winscott which confers upon the said Malvina some evidence of title when in fact she is not the rightful owner of said Lot nor any part thereof, but which has formed a cloud and suspicion on the title and claim of your Oratrix, who is the real owner of said LotAnd all which conduct on their part is against equity and good conscience and tends to the apprehension and hardship of your Oratrix, who being remediless by the strict rules of the Animen? Law and only relievable in a court of equity, where matters of fraud trusts incumbrances and clouds upon titles, and discovery are Orgnizable?: To the end therefore that she may have relief in the premises. Your Oratrix prays that the said Malvina Huffman, Oliver S. Bemiss, Joseph Winscott who reside in New Orleans, Louisiana, and James Walsh, residing in the City of Natchez may be made defendants to this BillAnd that the Defendant Walsh be enjoined and restrained from paying over any of the rents and issues of said Lot and premises now in his hands, or which may come into his hands until the matters hereof may be heard in equity

That the said defendants be compelled to answer the same as fully and amply, as if repeated in the form of special interrogatories, agreeably to the best of their respective knowledge information and belief. And that the said Joseph Winscott be compelled to make discovery and show, when and by whom he was applied to for the purpose of making the said conveyance to the said Malvina Huffman, for what inducement and consideration he made the same, if for a money consideration for what sum and by whom paid; and that he be compelled to answer and make discovery of the matters set forth in the following interrogations upon his Corporal oath.

1^stWhen did you first become informed of the fact that the said Lot in this Bill mentioned was conveyed to you and the Complainant Fanny Leiper by the said John R. Wells?

2Did you ever have delivered to you the original Deed from John R. Wells to yourself and Fanny Lieper for said Lot? If yea when and where and what did you do with it?

3Did you pay to the said John R. Wells any portion of the purchase money of said Lot? If yea, how much and when

4Did you pay any part or portion of the money for the improvements made on the same since the Year 1834. If yea, how muchand to whom, and when.

5.Have you ever resided at Natchez since the making of the said purchase by Fanny Lieper or were you at Natchez at the time, and when did you first learn that your name was in said Deed from Wells and who informed you thereof.

And our final hearing may it please Your Honor to Decree that the said conveyance from the said Joseph Winscott to the said Malvina Huffman be cancelled and the clouds removed from the title of your complainant to said LotThat said Winscott be compelled to release and convey to your Oratrix, all the legal and trust title which may remain in him after such cancellation to your OratrixAnd that there be an account taken of the rents and issues of said Lot and premises since the same was taken possession of by the said Malvina Huffman as also for the damages done said property by her and her tenants, and that she be decreed to pay the amount thereof to your Oratrix and to surrender the same to her. And grant to your Oratrix such other and further relief general and special as to equity belongs and the nature of her case required

Your Oratrix prays the States Writ of Subpoena against the defendants to be directed &c and made returnable &c commanding said Defendants to answer this Bill by a day to be fixed by your Honor, under such penalty as is prescribed by Law, and for publication against such of said absent defendants, as may not be reached by the service of subpoena and your Oratrix will ever pray &c

Two names, Solicitors for ?

State of Mississippi

Adams County

This day the above named Fanny Leiper personally appeared before the undersigned clerk of the Vice Chancery Court, and made oath that the Statements contained in the foregoing Bill do far as made of her own Knowledge are true, as so far as made from the information of others she believes to be true

Sworn to and ??

Before me this 2^nd day of

December A.D. 1847

E.S. Russell

And at the same time of filing the foregoing Bill of Complaint to wit in the 2^nd day of December 1847, was also filed the following Exhibits, inclusive from “A” to “U”one of which viz Exhibit “B” the word “Recd” is nearly obliterated, the ink having paled

Exhibit “A”

This indenture made in the nineteenth day of April in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight-hundred and thirty six, Between John R. Wells, of the City of Natchez, of the one part, and Fanny Leiper of the other part: Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part for and in consideration of Five Hundred Dollars to him in hand paid, by the said party of the second part, at or before the sealing and delivery of these Presents, the reciept whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the said party of the second part, their heirs, Executors and Administrators, forever released and discharged therefrom by these presents, has Granted, Bargained, Sold, Conveyed and Confirmed, and by these presents do, Grant, Bargain, Sell, Convey and Confirm, unto the said party of the second part their Heirs and Assigns Forever, all that Lot, piece or parcel of Land, situate lying and being on the Bluff, near the Light House, in the City of Natchezdesignated in the Map, projected and certified by Levin Wailes Surveyor of said City, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County Court of Adams County, by the number twenty three [No 23]. Bounded and limited on the South West by Lot No 24, on the south east by the North west boundary by the Common or Promenade ground reserved in the compromise between the Corporation of the city of Natchez and Jefferson College, and on the North west by the Brow of the Bluff, which seperates this lot of lot No 16; which lot hereby sold has a front on the said line of the Common of One Hundred and Fifty feet and estimated on the south west and north east, by parallel lines estimated from the said Common to the Bluff, in the direction North Sixty degrees West, as indicated by the magnetic needle, without allowance for variation, which is eight degrees, forty seven minutes and thirty seconds, East of NorthThe lower or southwestermost boundary being about one Hundred and forty five feet in lengthThe upper or northeastermost about twenty feet, it being the same Lot of Land heretofore conveyed by Katherine Minor Executrix and John Minor Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Stephen Minor, deceased, to Simon Rice, by Deed bearing date the 28^th of February 1829, and since conveyed by Simon Rice to said John R. Wells, by Deed bearing date the [blank] day of [blank] 1833.

Together with all and singular the Appurtenances, Hereditaments Privileges and Advantages whatsoever unto the above described Premises, belonging, or in any wise Appertaining And Also, all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest and Property and Claim whatsoever, either at Law or in equity, of him the said party of the first part, of in and to the same: To Have And to Hold, the above Granted, Bargained and Described premises with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the Second part their Heirs, and Assigns Forever:

[some text not transcribed]

Exhibits B-T are documents proving that Fanny Leiper paid fully for this land and paid the taxes on the lot for the years from 1836 to 1844.

Then, Exhibit U is the sale of property from Winscott to Huffman in 1845. In this document, it says that “and since conveyed by Simon Rice to John R. Wells by Deed bearing date the day of A.D. 1833, and since conveyed by John R. Wells to Joseph Winscott and Nancy Leiper by Deed bearing date the 19^th day of April A.D. 1836.”

Then, in 1847, Fanny Lieper brought complaint against Malvina et al and they were subpoenaed to appear in court to answer to

“The foregoing subpoena bears the following endorsements, to wit

‘The object of this suit is to cancell a deed made by the defendant Joseph Winscott to Malvina Huffman, bearing date the 27^th day of September 1845 for a Lot of ground situated in the Bluff at Natchez, formerly conveyed by John R. Wells to said Winscott and Fanny Leiper by Deed bearing date the 19^th day of April 1836 and to compel said Winscott to release and convey to said Fanny Leiper all interest he may have in the same, and for a decree against said Malvina Huffman for the rents and proffits of said Lot and premises since in her posession and to pay for damages done in destroying fruit & ornamental trees fences &c on said Lot and for general relief.’

Sanders & Haggen for complainant

And at this day to wit: on the 21 day of Dec 1847 the following Answer of Defendant James Walsh was filed in this cause, to wit

State of Mississippi

Southern District Chancery Court Of December Term 1847

The separate answer of James Walsh, to the Bill of Complaint filed against him & others by one Fanny Leiper, in the court aforesaid

This Respondent saving and reserving &c for answer to so much of said Bill of Complaint as he is advised it is material for him to answer, says, that he does not know that said Complainant is a free person of colour, or that with her own money, or with the funds of any other person she purchased the property contained in Exhibit A. Does not know for what reason if for any said Deed, to wit: Exhibit A, was made as alleged and appears. Does not know whether Joseph Winscott ever was or not a resident of Natchez, or whether he ever was informed of the execution of said Deed, before mentioned Does not know whether Complainant paid to Wells the money as contained in Receipt Exhibit B or whether it was paid by some one else, and the acquittance merely taken in her name. Does not know whether Complainant made the improvements or any of them as alleged, on said property, or that the same if made cost the sum set forth and arered Respondent is informed and believes that Complainant did occupy said property for many years, perhaps from 1834 to 1845, as is alleged, but does not know whether so occupied it as her own or that of some other person; nor does he know whether she had the same assessed as her, or paid taxes thereupon, or whether the tax receipts filed as Exhibits and marked C, D, and so on alphabetically, are for taxes paid on said property. Does not know but has been informed and supposes it true that said Samuel R. Hammett was appointed agent for said property by Complainant, but is not advised and does not admit that she had any right or authority to make such appointment

Does not know whether said Malvina Huffman was or was not aware of the existence in fact of said Deed, Exhibit A, to Complainant and Winscott, nor does he know whether said Huffman as is alleged or said Oliver S. Bemiss by fraudulent representations as set forth or by any other of like kind procured the conveyances as contained in Exhibit U. from said Winscott to said Huffman. As to the value of said property, both at present time and at the date of said conveyance from Winscott to said Huffman. Respondent is informed and believes that the same was not, nor is it worth intrinsically more than the sum of two or three Hundred Dollars: and that relatively from its situation and neighborhood, it was not nor is it worth, nor could it command in market more than the sum paid to wit: One Hundred Dollars And that in all probability said Huffman was the only person who would purchase it at any, the lowest price. Does not know whether said Complainant or said Hammett was or not ignorant of said conveyance from Winscott to Huffman as is alleged, nor does he know in what manner said Huffman obtained possession of said property.

Does not know, but supposes it to be true, that said Huffman has had possession of said property from October 1845 or thereabouts up to present period.

Denies that he, Respondent, as agent of said Huffman or otherwise has had such premises for said period, but ?? and charges the truth to be, that said Huffman sometime in the fall, to wit in the month of October or November 1846, departed from Natchez to New Orleans to reside in the latter City, and upon the eve of her departure appointed Respondent her agent for said property, to rent the same and pay taxes thereupon and that Respondent at that time and not anterior took possession as said agent of said property and has continued to manage it to present period

Does not know but on the contrary believes it to be untrue and therefore denies it, that said property or any portion of it has since the occupation thereof by said Huffman, been abused or put out of repair or in any way, or to any amount damaged or destroyed, the usual and natural wear & tear excepted, and avers that since the possession of said property by respondent as agent aforesaid the same has been cared for prudently and judiciously

Denies that said property has been with the annual rent of one Hundred Dollars, or that the same has been received for it. Avers on the contrary that it has rented only for the sum of four dollars per Month, which was a reasonable rent, and that of such rent Respondent as agent aforesaid has collected only the sum of twenty or twenty four dollars, although he used all due dilligence thereinall which he has paid over to said Huffman by paying taxes as ordered and instructed on said property and on other property belonging to Huffman in this State. Does not know what interest if any said Winscott owned or claimed in said Property or whether said Huffman was or not aware that said Winscott was erased or attempted to be erased from said Exhibit A, to wit the Deed as contained therein but is advised and believes that if said erasure and alteration have been made by said Complainant or by any other person for her the said Deed now possess a doubtful legal or Equitable existence and the Estate therein conveyed, even a ?? of the same is doubtfully in said Complainant

Respondent insists upon strict and full proof of all and every the allegations and allegation in said Bill of Complaint, so far as the same affect your respondent:

And having fully answered Respondent prays to be hence dismissed with his reasonable Costs in this behalf expended &c

Davis & Cox ?? for J. Walsh

….

Afterwards to wit: on the 28^th day of October 1848, the following Interrogatories to be propounded to S.R. Hammett were filed in this cause to wit:

Southern District Chancery Court of the

State of Mississippi holden at Natchez

Fanny Leiper Complainant

Malvina Huffman, Oliver S. Bemiss Interrogatories to be propounded to

Joseph Winscott & James Walsh Defendants Samuel R. Hammett a

Witness of the Complainant, re-

Siding in the City of New

Orleans State of Louisiana whose deposition when taken to be read as evidence on the trial and hearing of the above entitled suit: on the part and behalf of the said Complainant Fanny Leiper

Interrogatory 1^st

Are you acquainted with the parties to the above entitled SuitIf yea, state how long you have been acquainted with them respectively

Interrogatory 2^nd

Where does the complainant reside and how long has she resided at her present place of residence

Interrogatory 3^rd

Are you acquainted with the lot and property in controversy in this suit if so when did you become acquainted with it, in whose possession was it then in, and how has it been held since, and what has been the reasonable value of the use and occupation of said premises per annum since

Interrogatory 4^th

Please state how the defendant Malvina Huffman, or her agent James Walsh procured the possession of said property, and when, state all the circumstances fully.

Interrogatory 5^th

Do you know any fact or circumstances by which the Defendant Malvina Huffman, was acquainted with the title of said Complainant and to said Lot? If so state them fully

Interrogatory 5^th[numbering error of court]

Is the Complainant White, Black or a Mulatto? State her appearance and the degrees of her Blood, and whether she is bond or free and all you know on that subject

Interrogatory 6^th

Was or was not the Defendant James Walsh acquainted with the complainant, did he or not know whether she was bond or free, and did he or not know that the property in controversy was hers, please state all you know upon these subjects

Show the following:

Adjust appearance:

Notes

John1 M to 26, 2 M 45+, 2 F to 14, 1 F 45+ (1820 Adams Co. Census)

K

Kelly

Kemp

Daniel1 male 45+, 1 female 45+ (1820 Natchez Census)

L

Lancaster

The State of Mississippi Southern District Chancery Court

Exhibit “A”

Interrogatory 1^st

Interrogatory 2^nd

Interrogatory 3^rd

Interrogatory 4^th

Interrogatory 5^th

Interrogatory 5^th[numbering error of court]

Interrogatory 6^th

Annotate

John1 M to 26, 2 M 45+, 2 F to 14, 1 F 45+ (1820 Adams Co. Census)

K

Kelly

Kemp

Daniel1 male 45+, 1 female 45+ (1820 Natchez Census)

L

Lancaster

The State of Mississippi Southern District Chancery Court

Exhibit “A”

Interrogatory 1st

Interrogatory 2nd

Interrogatory 3rd

Interrogatory 4th

Interrogatory 5th

Interrogatory 5th [numbering error of court]

Interrogatory 6th

Interrogatory 1^st

Interrogatory 2^nd

Interrogatory 3^rd

Interrogatory 4^th

Interrogatory 5^th

Interrogatory 5^th[numbering error of court]

Interrogatory 6^th