20982801https://dlas.uncg.edu/petitions/petition/20982801MarylandMontgomeryCounty1828Equity104Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, MarylandIn February 1822, John L. Atwood became security for Benjamin Machall for the payment of $575 with interest to William Jarboe. Atwood alleges that Machall owned a number of slaves who could have satisfied the debt. He conjectures that once the claim of Jarboe against Machall fell to him as Machall's security, Machall's brother-in-law, Thomas Darby, conspired with Machall to keep the slaves hidden through a pretended title in Darby's name. The sheriff managed to capture and sell one of the slaves, Harry, for approximately $152. However, Atwood claims that "in consequence of the said Darby forbidding the sale in the presence of the bidders," Harry sold to a bidder for half of his actual value. Atwood also alleges that Machall and Darby have executed a pretended bill of sale of the slaves transferring ownership from Machall to Darby. John Atwood asks the court to subpoena Benjamin Machall and Thomas Darby to answer the charges.Concealing (enslaved)Title dispute (enslaved)AuctionsPurchase/Sale prices (enslaved)