Slave Lawsuit / On-hold

Slave Lawsuit - Inventory Number: DOC 394 / On-hold

Samuel C. Major Plaintiff

Against

Andrew J. McGruder Defendant

And the said defendant comes now and for answer to this petition of plaintiff says that he admits that plaintiff is the administrator of Mary Basket, deceased. But this defendant denies that at the time of the death of the said Mary Baskett she and the defendant were tenants in common in the ownership of the man slave Harry mentioned in the petition of plaintiff. Or that the plaintiff, as her administrator, is now entitled to any interest in said slave and he therefore resists the sale of said slave, and states that he said Mary Basket, deceased, was the owner of one undivided half of said slave in her lifetime and prior to the 14th day of October A.D. 1856 that she then being advanced in years and infirm and not in the enjoyment of good health, proposed to sell her interest to this defendant instead slave preparatory to making a distribution of her property and effects amongst her children and this defendant having married the youngest daughter of the said Mary.

She then sold and conveyed to this defendant her interest in the slave Harry for the sum of $200, which has been paid and then executed to this defendant the deed of sale here too attached marked exhibit A and now prayed to be taken as part of this answer so that this defendant now owner of said slave Harry in his own right absolutely.

This defendant also states that prior to the said 14th day of October AD 1856 he had the possession and use of said slave for two or three years the time he cannot now recollect but prior to the death of the said Mary Basket he settled with and paid her all of the hire of said slave to which she was entitled except the sum of $30 which he still owes and is ready to pay to her administrator defendant states that said slave Harry is not worth 5800, neither were his use and labor worth $200 per year while he had him before the death of the said Mary and before the sale to him by her.

Davis, attorney for defendant.

I, Andrew J McGruder, the defendant in the above and foregoing answer make oath and say that the matter and statements set forth in said answer I believe to be true as therein stated.

Andrew J McGruder

Subscribed and Sworn to before me on this 3rd day of December 1858

Andrew Cooper clerk

Comes housed in 12 x 16 riker display case with blue velvet and descriptive card.

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Inventory Number: DOC 394