Petition #21585102

Abstract

Isaac Chance informs the court that on 21 February 1850 he hired out his slave Bill for $128 per year to the "firm and Style of Sims & Smith" to be employed exclusively as an axe hand for cutting timber. Chance clarifies that Bill was not to be used "as a hand to attend upon, conduct, and manage the machinery of the Steam Mill." He recounts, however, "contrary to the wishes of your petitioner," the defendants used Bill a month later on the steam mill's machinery whereby he was subsequently crushed when he fell into the fly wheel. Chance attests that the Sims and Smith "well knew the great danger" Bill was in, yet they "negligently failed and omitted to provide any safe guards about the machinery." Chance seeks damages in the amount of one thousand dollars, the value of the slave.

Result: Granted; appealed; affirmed.

5 people are documented within petition 21585102

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Citation information

Repository: Texas State Library-Archives Division, Austin, Texas

Subjects