Petition #20184905

Abstract

In January 1848, the sheriff of Lowndes County, seized and sold a slave named Mourning from Michael O'Connor for nonpayment of debts. O'Connor was in possession of the slave by virtue of his marriage to Sarah Youngblood. He charges that Sheriff James K. Whitman confederated with James K. Whitman, a creditor, and Thomas B. Youngblood, Sarah's son from a former marriage, to defraud him. O'Connor writes that after taking Mourning into his possession, the sheriff put her up for bid, announcing that she was the property of his wife, Sarah O'Connor, with a lifetime title restriction. As a result, at the auction Mourning fetched a sale price of only $101, one-fourth of her value. While Thomas Youngblood was bidding for the slave, James Whitman remained silent. In this way, O'Connor explains, the creditor received the small amount due him, and the buyer got a bargain on the slave. O'Connor claims that he was the true owner of the slave. He seeks to have her returned to him along with the value of her yearly hire from the time of the sale to the present.

Result: Granted.

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Citation information

Repository: Lowndes County Courthouse, Hayneville, Alabama

Subjects