Mary Barton states that her late father devised a slave named Arianna to her in his will. In 1841, Arianna delivered a child named Caroline Ross and the young slave was brought up in the house of the petitioner "as one of her own family." Barton, who has no children of her own, reared Ross herself and claims that "respect & friendship" exists between them akin to that "between a mother and her daughter." Several years ago, Barton loaned Ross to her niece, Henrietta, because John Rineman, the niece's husband, was unable to provide his wife with servants. When Rineman and his wife separated, Ross returned to the petitioner's house. Shortly thereafter, Rineman applied for and received a writ of replevin against Barton compelling her to return Ross to him. Fearful that Rineman and his sureties are conspiring to sell Ross "for the Southern and distant Market," the petitioner asks the court to enjoin the sheriff from carrying out the writ of replevin and also to enjoin Rineman from selling Ross. In his Answer, Rineman claims that Ross has lived in his home since she was fourteen months old and denies that Barton has "given any personal exertions to the care and proper culture of the said slave Caroline."
Result: Partially granted; dismissed.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
