John J. Browning, the trustee of Elizabeth C. Christian, seeks to recover two slaves, who belong to the trust estate of the said Elizabeth. He represents that, on 3 March 1858, Peter Christian, "in consideration of natural love and affection to his wife Elizabeth, did bargain, sell and deliver to your orator as Trustee aforesaid, two negro slaves" named March and Caty, who were to be held "for the sole and separate use of the said Elizabeth, for and during the term of her natural life." Browning charges that, at some point after the trust's establishment, "Peter Christian without the knowledge or consent of your orator, took possession of the said slaves and either concealed them, or sold them to some person unknown." The petitioner has approached the said Christian several times, but he has refused "either to produce the said slaves or to inform your orator where they are concealed, or to account for their values." John Browning therefore prays that Peter Christian be compelled to reveal the whereabouts of Caty and March or to reimburse the trust for their sale.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
