Charles Lee states that he hired out his slave John to his son-in-law Felix G. Hawkins for $85 in 1852; Hawkins also hired John for the years 1853 and 1854. In January of 1855, Lee demanded that Hawkins return John, but Hawkins refused. Lee explains that John is a "family negro" and he intends "never to part with said negro during the term of your orators natural life." Charging that Hawkins encouraged the slave to run away "so as to defeat your orator in his just claim and possession of said slave," Lee seeks an injunction to prohibit Hawkins from moving John and to command that the sheriff "seize said negro and him safely to keep." He also requests that John be returned to him, with the hire owed from the previous years.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Monroe County Courthouse, Aberdeen, Mississippi
