John Garrett, a resident of Tipper County, Mississippi, petitions for the return of a slave named Wilson, now in the possession of David R. Mitchell. On 1 January 1847, "one Mrs. Mitchell" sold a slave named Wilson to Dr. W. W. Cavenaugh. Shortly thereafter, Cavenaugh "swapped or exchanged the said boy, Wilson," with Garrett "for and in consideration of a negro woman." In December of 1847, Garrett sold Wilson to A. C. Blair; shortly after the transaction, Blair returned the slave, "on account of disease and unsoundness." Garrett cancelled the transaction, but before Wilson came back into his possession, the slave absconded and was later found in David Mitchell's possession in Marshall County Tennessee. Mitchell claims Wilson as his property, and Garrett fears that he will try to sell him before the dispute is settled. Garrett asks that Mitchell be enjoined from doing so, that his title to Wilson be confirmed, and that Wilson be returned to him. In his various answers, Mitchell asserts that he holds Wilson's title by virtue of a bill of sale from his mother, Isabella Mitchell, to him in 1838.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
