In January 1782, Job Garretson purchased from George Helm a slave named Guy, guaranteed "to be perfectly Sound and void and clear of every vice fault Disorder or inability of both mind and Body whatsoever the fondness for Liquors only excepted." In return, Garretson was to pay Helm "one Hundred and Five Cords of wood not being Hickory," with twenty-five cords due at the time of the purchase and the remainder due in the fall of the same year. Garretson claims that he soon discovered that Guy is "not only excessively fond of Liquors but a notorious outlying Runaway pilfering and thieving negro and also much disordered in his Body with the Veneral Disease and other Disorders." Garretson approached Helm, who refused to receive him and instead brought a suit against him for the remaining cords of wood. The men agreed to "refer the Matter in dispute to their neighbours for their final Ending ... agreeable to the Laws and practice of this state." The panel chose to arbitrate and they decided, in Garretson's absence, that he should pay £140 to Helm. Garretson now asks for an injunction to prevent anyone from trying to collect the £140.
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
