Stephen Ford Smith, of Mississippi, represents that he is the “true and lawful owner” of a twenty-two-year-old male slave named Toney, also known as Charles, who was “feloniously” taken from him in 1836 by two men named William Rummels and Abraham Jones. Smith alleges that Rummels and Jones “clandestinely conveyed” Toney to Louisiana, where he was sold to a Mrs. Elizabeth Mc Waters. Smith claims that, at the time of the sale, Elizabeth McWaters had full knowledge of the means by which Rummels and Jones had acquired Toney, and she therefore immediately proceeded to change his name to Charles. Elizabeth McWaters has since died and Toney, also known as Charles, is now in the possession of one of her sons, Aaron Mc Waters. Smith prays that judgment be rendered against Aaron Mc Waters for the restoration of his slave and the value of the slave's hire, which runs to $200 per year, with “legal interest.”
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: West Feliciana Parish Courthouse, St. Francisville, Louisiana
