Nelley Ruff and William Rutherford, the widow and brother-in-law of George Ruff Jr., allege that George's brother, John Henry Ruff, tricked George and Nelley out of property that was rightfully theirs. The petitioners explain that George Ruff could not manage his affairs due to "frequent severe attack of fits, and allmost continual intoxication." George's father, "in his last moments," asked Rutherford and John Henry to try to prevent George from wasting his entire inheritance. In 1806 and 1808, John Henry convinced his brother to convey the real and personal estate (including several slaves) to him, promising to act as trustee for George and Nelley. After George died intestate, however, John Henry told Nelley that he owned everything and that she was "entirely at his mercy." Claiming that he pitied her situation, he paid her $100 to sign over her interest in George's estate. John Henry took control of all the property and has received all of the profits generated ever since. The petitioners ask the court to compel John Henry Ruff to answer their allegations and to account for all of George's property in his possession, including any profits.
Result: Granted; appealed; affirmed.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
