Priscilla Turner seeks the return of a slave named Ancel. Turner claims that the slave was born into her possession and that, while he was still an infant, she married Terry Turner. Turner died some few years after the marriage, and Priscilla continued in possession of Ancel. In June 1846, her stepson, Sumpter Turner, informed her that Ancel had actually been made part of his father's estate. Sumpter told her that he had purchased Ancel but that he would allow the slave to continue in her possession for the remainder of her life, provided that she promise never to sell the slave or otherwise defeat Sumpter in his ownership, to which she agreed. Turner avers that she received nothing from her late husband's estate, he having died much in debt, and that Ancel's hire was her only means of support. However, Sumpter has now brought suit against her and has had Ancel removed from her possession. She fears that the slave will soon be removed to New Orleans and "would never be returned to her." She informs the court that she is much attached to Ancel and that she "nursed and raised" him "at much trouble and difficulty, to enable him to contribute to her support." She prays that Sumpter Turner be enjoined from prosecuting his suit and that Ancel be returned to her.
Result: Granted; appealed; dismissed.
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
