In a related case from 1848, Alexander H. Davis asked the court to divide the slaves from Hezekiah Davis's estate between himself and the other heir, James C. Davis. The court agreed and gave Alexander Davis two women: sixteen-year-old Mary and fifty-year-old Matilda. In this case, Gideon B. Black petitions the court as guardian of Alexander Davis, "who is an idiot or of imbecile mind." Black says that the two female slaves are Davis's only property. Citing that "one of said slaves being an old woman and the other a girl they are of but little value" to Davis, Black asks the court to let him sell the slaves, "the proceeds of the sale to be applied to his [Davis's] maintenance."
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
