William Evans requests compensation for his slave, Tom, who was tried, convicted, and executed in Washington County in 1786 ("acting under the authority of the Government of Franklin") for poisoning John Fuller Lain, a white man. Evans avers that the "Court absolutely refused to hear Council" in Tom's behalf, which rendered said proceedings "not legal." Of the opinion that Tom was worth "one hundred pounds Virginia currency, in as much as he was a faithful, industrious, healthy slave, and in the prime of Life," the petitioner seeks "such relief in the premises, as may seem meet."
Result: Referred to committee: propositions and grievances.
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
