In 1815, Benjamin Hacket, a free person of color, purchased his wife Fanny Hacket and child Eleanor from Alexander Briscoe. The seller agreed to allow Hacket five years to pay the sum. To date, Hacket has paid $90 of the $230 total. Initially, Fanny and Eleanor were allowed to remain with Hacket, but Briscoe, fearing the insolvency laws of Maryland, transferred the slaves to his sister, Maria Raine. Soon after the transfer, Alexander Briscoe became insolvent and claimed that Hacket had given up all rights to his wife and child. Hacket asks the court to issue an injunction against Briscoe to prevent his wife and child from being sold. In her answer, Maria Raine also claims ownership of the slaves and states that she sold the slaves to her brother, James Briscoe.
Result: Partially granted; injunction dissolved.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
