When Elizabeth Harrison married James Harrison in 1837 she possessed in her own right a number of slaves--Phil, Phil's wife Yarico, Bob, Caleb, Eady, Little Bob, Little Phil, and Milley--inherited from her deceased father. Although they had signed a prenuptial agreement about her separate property, the couple signed a deed in 1838 showing that they were for her separate use. Unfortunately, she asserts, no trustee was appointed and, as she discovered years later, Milley had been omitted in the text of the deed of trust. In 1841, a New York firm obtained a judgment against her husband, and in 1842 James Harrison declared bankruptcy. Now, Elizabeth asks the court to decree the slaves "named in said deed, together with their increase & future increase to be the sole and separate property of Oratrix, and also the girl Milley and her increase & future increase, free from the control & management of her said Husband."
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: Lowndes County Courthouse, Hayneville, Alabama
