Petition #20483804

Abstract

John and Mary Mellon seek the settlement of an ownership dispute regarding a slave named James, who was delivered to Lewis Piles by George Mellon, deceased father of the petitioners, to secure a debt of $30. Piles, in violation of the agreement, has sold nineteen-year-old James to William H. Williams, a slave trader, as a slave for life. The petitioners claim that Piles had no right to sell James since the $30-debt has been paid and since they still have title to James until he reaches the age of twenty-eight after which time he is to be freed. The Mellons seek the return of their slave and an injunction preventing Piles and/or Williams from removing or selling James beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

Result: Dismissed.

11 people are documented within petition 20483804

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Citation information

Repository: National Archives, Washington, D. C.

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