Petition #20381401

Abstract

Shortly before Samuel Jackson Bailey's death, his son Samuel Bailey prevailed upon him to "execute a Certain Instrument of writing" giving him nine slaves. After his death, James Badley, in behalf of his minor son Samuel Badley, and Roger Phillips, in behalf of his minor son Samuel Phillips, grandchildren of the deceased, charge that Samuel Bailey obtained the slaves by fraud. The slave owner was ninety years old, they assert, "and for a long time before and at that time under great debility of both Body and Mind, addicted to the intemperate use of Strong drink and almost blind & from such Causes rendered incapable of knowing his own Children, of attending to his business and unable to write his own name." In fact, they claim, Samuel J. Bailey bequeathed them two of the slaves, James and Betty. They ask the court to subpoena Samuel Bailey and Thomas Bailey, another son of the deceased, to answer their complaint.

Result: Dismissed; appealed.

21 people are documented within petition 20381401

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Citation information

Repository: Delaware State Archives, Dover, Delaware

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