Lana J. Hancock seeks the recovery of a group of slaves. Hancock, who was "seized and possessed of a considerable estate," admits that he was "largely in debt." Seeking help from John H. Gilliam, the petitioner drew up a promissory note in 1845 for Gilliam and executed a mortgage. "Believing that the mortgage he gave to the said John H. Gilliam ... would be inadequate to protect him against loss as surety," Hancock executed a second mortgage for land and twenty slaves. These slaves were to be held by Gilliam until Hancock paid said debt; after payment, Gilliam would "be bound ... to deliver up the said slaves." Hancock charges, however, that Gilliam sold thirteen of said slaves, many of whom are now in the possession of Bennet Hancock. The petitioner reports that he has resolved his pecuniary situation with the help of John Coate. He also states that he has "frequently and in a friendly manner applied to the said John H. Gilliam and requested him to come to an account and settlement" for the slaves; Gilliam has repeatedly promised "he would deliver" the slaves but has failed to do so. The petitioner seeks the court's assistance in recovering said slaves.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
