In December 1855, Owen Cecil bought the unexpired term of William Hayden from Dr. W. G. Deale. Cecil explains that Hayden's term is set to expire in January 1860, but that Hayden has been "a turbulent and bad negro." In 1857, Hayden resisted Cecil's son, struck him, and ran away. Particularly aggrieved that Hayden "was absent during harvest and at the busiest time of the season," Cecil asks that Hayden's term of service be extended to compensate him for his losses. He confesses that he did not know it was required of him to make a complaint at the time of the incident, explaining that he thought it "best that the negro be kept ignorant of his intentions." Although the court granted the extension, J. W. Hunter dissented from the opinion, stating that "the petition ought to have been filed sooner, and not 3 or 4 days before the negro boy is absolutely free."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
