Francis W. Perkins, guardian of his two brothers-in-law, John C. and Elijah C. Simkins, asks that his various purchases of slaves be confirmed. Perkins represents that the two children are the legatees of their late sister, Emma F. Simkins, who died possessed, as her “own proper goods and chattels,” of a female slave named Nanny and Nanny's four children. Emma Simkins had inherited the four slaves, whom Perkins describes as "family negroes," as her portion of her father’s estate. The young John Simkins had been nursed by Nanny in his “early infancy” and, according to Perkins, Nanny was very much attached to the boy and “desirous to be owned by him.” John was similarly desirous to own Nanny and her family. Consequently, in 1842, Perkins purchased Nanny, her four children, and her husband, Edmund, on behalf of John. Moreover, he exchanged a slave named Cuff, belonging to John, for another slave named Ned owned by Arthur Simkins. He made said exchange because Ned, a valuable carpenter and blacksmith, is the husband of a slave named Peggy, the joint property of John and his brother Elijah. Francis Perkins avows that the purchases and the exchange were made in consultation with other members of the family and that they are considered as highly “judicious” and desirable by all. He prays for confirmation by the court.
Result: Referred.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
