Betsy maintains that Lewis Latham is illegally detaining her and her three children as slaves. Betsy states that she is "a Cherokee Indian by birth and legally entitled to her freedom." She prays that Latham be ordered to free her and her children, and that he be condemned to pay her $1,000 in damages. In addition, Betsy fears "that She may suffer some personal injury pending this Suit." In consideration of this, she prays that the court appoint a guardian for her and her children until this suit is settled. Related depositions reveal that Betsy and her children have been held as slaves since at least 1810, that they are believed to have always been slaves, and that Latham purchased them from Robert Crawford, who had purchased them from William Crawford [Petition damaged].
Result: Dismissed.
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Repository: Natchitoches Parish Courthouse, Natchitoches, Louisiana
