Mary Amelia Wilson, widow of Joseph W. Tisdale, seeks a writ of sequestration for a woman of color named Louisa and for Louisa’s seven-year-old daughter named Lydia. Mary Amelia Tisdale represents that Louisa was given to her by her father as dowry and is therefore her property. Mrs. Tisdale charges that, about seven years ago, her late husband took Louisa from her and led her to believe that the slave had been removed to Texas and sold. Louisa’s mulatto mother, whom Mary Amelia also claims as her slave, is in fact still in Texas, held by one Albert C. Horton. As for Louisa, however, Mrs. Tisdale has just discovered that she is not in Texas, but in New Orleans where she was living as Joseph Tisdale’s concubine and passing for a white free person. Mary Amelia Wilson Tisdale therefore seeks a writ of sequestration for Louisa and Lydia, and asks the court to declare them her property. She also seeks to gain ownership of Louisa’s personal belongings, which include some furniture.
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
