The petitioners seek to settle a dispute about ownership of a slave named Melinda, mortgaged in 1807 or 1808 by Hugh Montgomery to John Hatfield for three hundred dollars, with the proviso that Montgomery could redeem or repurchase her at any time by repaying the mortgage with interest, plus three bushels of salt valued at $5 a bushel. In 1830, Hugh Montgomery assigned the mortgage on the slave to his son, Benjamin, who assigned a half-interest to Wiley Belcher. Benjamin and Wiley now claim "that they would have redeemed said negro long since, but for the fraudulent and evasive conduct of said defendant," charging that Hatfield moved "to the most obscure part of Jackson County aforesaid taking with him said negro woman and all her increase," which now number "six or eight children." The petitioners seek an injunction to prevent the defendant from leaving the area with the slaves, to name Hugh Montgomery as a defendant, to cancel the bill of sale, and to attach said slaves until the court renders a decision.
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama
