John Clark, the sheriff of Laurens District, seeks an injunction to prevent Jennett Prather from recovering an "unjust and iniquitous" judgment against him. Clark reminds the court that Jennett filed a bill in 1808 against her husband William and that she was awarded a "separate maintainance" of $100 a month from him, as well as custody of their child. He reports that the Prathers reconciled shortly thereafter and that William paid the court costs; however, William did not give "security to perform the Decree" and was confined to the "Common Gaol." The sheriff relates that Jennett appealed to him and the jailer with "tears and entreaties" to allow William "the liberty of the Gaol Walls." He further recalls that she assured them that her husband "would not make his escape, and that if he did do so, they should never be troubled or injured." Clark confirms that William did escape to East Florida and later to Tennessee, where he died, leaving a "considerable personal estate" that included "Five or Six Negroes." He avers that Jennett, "contrary to her express promise," sued him for damages and won $500. Clark alleges that Jennett knew of her husband's plan to escape and that she has taken possession of his estate. He therefore prays that she "may be compelled to enter satisfaction on the said Judgment, as iniquitous and unjust" or that she "deduct the amount thereof out of the Estate of the said William Prather." The 1808 bill is attached as a related petition.
Result: Denied.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
