In 1819, Benjamin Thornton conveyed considerable real and personal property by deed of trust to Wesley Adams as a means of satisfying a debt; upon the debt's discharge, any remaining property was to go to Thornton's wife, Mary Hull Thornton, free from control by her husband. Mary later moved from Virginia to Florida, taking the property and slaves with her, holding them up until her death in 1831. Shortly thereafter, John K. Campbell sought a judgment against the late Benjamin Thornton, whereupon the slave Judy was levied upon and put up for sale; Campbell purchased Judy at a nominal price. The heirs of Mary Thornton consider themselves the rightful owners of Judy, but the court dismissed an earlier suit instituted by them against the said Campbell. Judy now has a daughter Patsey, and together they are worth about $2000. The heirs are asking that Francis Eppes, executor of Campbell's estate, answer their charges.
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Repository: Florida State Archives, Tallahassee, Florida
