John K. Henson wishes to secure his title to two slaves. Upon his marriage to Huldah M. Kinard in 1842, her father, Martin Kinard, gave the couple "two slaves named Harriet and Sarah ... by way of advancement to his daughter." Huldah died in 1844, leaving an infant son. Huldah's mother wished to raise her grandson and, in compliance, Henson delivered the infant and the slave Sarah "for a nurse" to his parents-in-law. In January "last," Henson "discovered" a deed purporting "to convey the said slaves to H. H. Kinard in trust for the sole and separate use of the said Huldah M. during her natural life, and after her death for the use of her child." Henson questions the validity of this deed, as it was not executed until a full year after his marriage and because Martin Kinard signed it "at his own house in Laurens district many months after the same was drawn." Upon discovery of the deed, Henson demanded that Kinard return Sarah to him but Kinard refused. Noting that this supposed deed "throws a cloud over your Orator's title to the said slaves," Henson is "anxious to have his said title cleared up especially as both of the said slaves are females." The petitioner therefore prays that the deed be declared null and void and that Kinard be compelled to deliver Sarah to him.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
