Elsey Lee, a free woman of color, seeks to enjoin the sale of a slave named Diana and her child. In 1839 or 1840, Hester Toomer agreed to act as Lee’s “friend and guardian” in collecting and paying debts as well as managing her slaves. Previously, one James Nicholson, now deceased, held a slave named Kitty in trust for Lee. By the time Toomer took over guardianship, Kitty had died, leaving three children named John, Ben, and Diana. Toomer hired out John until he became disabled from disease and sold Ben to Lee’s great “disappointment.” Recently, Toomer contracted with an auctioneer named J. S. Riggs to sell Diana and her child. Lee prays that the sale of her slaves be enjoined and asks that Toomer be required to provide an account of her guardianship.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
