In 1830, to consolidate his debts, including one to Asheville merchant James Patton, Samuel Wilson borrowed five hundred dollars from James W. Patton, the merchant's son, by mortgaging a slave named Jim. James W. Patton, however, drew up a bill of sale rather than a mortgage, but promised to return Jim once the loan was repaid. In 1836, when Wilson attempted to repay the loan, Patton refused to accept the money, or to return Jim. The petitioner informs the court that Jim is a "very likely and valuable mulatto fellow," a first rate wagon driver, first rate house servant, and a "pretty good shoe maker & can do tolerably good work in the shop as a blacksmith." He is "active" and "sensible" and would now sell, at age thirty-two, for fifteen hundred dollars. The petitioner asks that the Pattons answer the charges, return Jim, and account for his labor. James Patton's related answer reveals that Jim lived as a free man and had a free wife. He also informs the court that Jim is indolent and addicted to intoxication.
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Repository: North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina
