In 1827, Bennett Wood Sr. conveyed six slaves in trust to Bennett Wood Jr. for use by Anna Thompson (daughter of Bennett Wood Sr.) and her children during her lifetime. Wood specified "at the death of said Anna said negroes and their increase should be taken by said Trustee and be equally divided between the female Children of said Anna." In addition, he forbade the trustee to sell any of the slaves or their offspring. Joseph Trotter and Samuel Baker, merchants, assert that they sold Thompson over nine hundred dollars in merchandise on credit, believing that the hire of the slaves would be sufficient to make the required payments. They charge, here, that Wood failed to keep an accurate account of the hire of the slaves and refused to pay the debt. The petitioners further state that Thompson died two years ago and that the slaves were divided among her heirs. Trotter and Baker seek an account of the estate and payment of the debt.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Lawrence County Historical Commission Archives, Moulton, Alabama
