Nathaniel Norment seeks to recover a male slave, whom he loaned to his son-in-law, John Elgin, in 1827. Norment declares that he loaned said Elgin "a negro boy of the name of Robin then about 17 years of age" and that "it was distinctly ... understood that your Orator would not give any negro to Mr. Elgin." The petitioner submits that said Robin "was seised by the Sheriff of Rutherford under some pretended execution against the said Elgin & sold to the highest bidder." He avows that Robin "was a faithful family servant of a most excellent family of negroes" and that "he had raised him & was attached to him & was not willing to part with him even at greatly more than his value." Norment represents that Robin was in General Samuel Smith's possession from 1828 until Smith's death in 1835, and he notes that Smith's executor "has had him in possession ever since receiving his hire or services." He therefore prays that said executor be compelled to answer his charges; that Robin be returned "without delay into the State;" and that "your Honor to decree the said boy to be delivered up to your Orator & direct an account of his annual hire."
Result: Granted; appealed; affirmed.
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
