John Lyons seeks the settlement of a slave title dispute with Zedekiah Lovejoy, Robert Kirby and William W. Clagett concerning Tom, a male slave. In 1820, Lovejoy mortgaged his slave Tom to the petitioner as collateral for a $400-note. When Lovejoy failed to repay the note, "the said Deed of Morgage became & was forfeited & the said negro Tom liable to be sold for the indemnification of your orator." However, Lovejoy, being in debt to Kirby and Clagett, "did by Deed of Indenture convey the same negro man Tom . . . in trust to pay them the said Debt & delivered the said negro Tom, in to the possession of the said Kirby & Clagett who hold the said negro & refuse to deliver him up to your Orator." Lyons requests that the "Defendants may be decreed to pay your orator the amount of the said note" as well as be enjoined from removing Tom from the District of Columbia until a ruling is reached.
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: National Archives, Washington, D. C.
