When Priscilla Potts married Jonathan Potts in 1845, she brought several slaves to the marriage. Since the marriage the slaves have increased in number. A prenuptial contract was worked out whereby the slaves would remain the exclusive property of Priscilla Potts. The petitioner "never permitted herself to doubt" that Jonathan Potts would abide by the contract. In 1846, she wrote a will "according to her then pleasure, the said Potts then declaring in substance that he gave her up the property to dispose of as she pleased." Afterwards, her husband approached her and convinced her to have the will rewritten in order to "fix it up better." In 1851, Jonathan Potts had the second will revoked without the knowledge of the petitioner and immediately sold all the petitioner's slaves to William Merritt. Priscilla now charges that her husband has ordered her out of their house and refuses to supply her with food or clothing. The petitioner asks that the bill of sale between her husband and Merritt be set aside, that the original prenuptial agreement be honored, and that she be allowed to sue in forma pauperis.
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Kentucky Division of Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky
