Daniel Melson purchased five slaves from Andrew Gordon in 1818 for the sum of $3,000. He paid $1,000 cash and wrote a promissory note for the $2,000 remaining due. One of the slaves, Little Andy, however, had a disease "which attacked him every summer," and of which he eventually died. In addition, Melson felt the sixteen percent interest charged on the unpaid portion of sale was illegally usurious. Gordon instituted a suit against Melson to recover the remaining $2,000, plus interest, and a jury found in his favor for a little over $1,100. Melson appealed. During the course of litigation, Gordon died, and Melson is now trying to win his case by suing John Dumas, administrator of Gordon's estate. He is suing to recover his expenses and receive an injunction preventing Dumas from collection on the $1,100 verdict.
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Repository: Jones County Courthouse, Gray, Georgia
