William Hearsey, administrator of the late Hardy Perry's estate, seeks to recover slaves and land from a free woman of color named Caroline Perry. Hearsey represents that Caroline Perry was emancipated by Hardy Perry in 1839 or 1840, but continued to live with him as his "concubine" until his death in 1850. Hearsey claims that, during his lifetime, Hardy Perry repeatedly tried to make donations of “land, slaves, and personal property” to Caroline, which is “in violation or evasion of the law of the State of Louisiana.” Hearsey contends that, in 1848, Caroline purchased a slave named Handy with Hardy Perry’s money. He further contends that, in 1850, Hardy Perry gave Caroline a one-hundred-acre tract of land and five slaves; a transaction he disguised as a “private act of sale.” Since Hardy Perry’s death, Caroline has kept his property and collected the revenues from the hires of his slaves. Furthermore, according to Hearsey, she has been abetted in her fraudulent behavior by her neighbors, Anthony and Charlotte Doherty. Hearsey therefore prays that Caroline Perry, as well as Anthony and Charlotte Doherty, be cited to answer his petition. He seeks an order decreeing the acts of sale executed prior to Hardy Perry’s death null and void. He also prays that all the slaves be declared property of the estate and delivered to him, or that $12,000 be paid to him for their value. In the meantime, he asks that all the slaves be sequestered by the sheriff. Finally, he asks for payment of the slaves’ hires since Hardy Perry’s death and $200 per year for the fruits of the land.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: West Feliciana Parish Courthouse, St. Francisville, Louisiana
