George Lavender, suing by his next friend, Samuel Lee, requests that a bill of sale for twelve slaves "be set aside and declared null and void" and that an injunction issue restraining Isaac Wilson, Johnson Jordan, and John Bolerjack from selling and/or removing the said slaves. Lavender declares that on 4 August 1853 he conveyed to the defendants, "partners in buying and selling negroes," twelve "likely healthy and valuable" slaves for the sum of $5500. The petitioner now regrets the sale and cites circumstances that should render the transaction void. He claims that "previous to the sale of said negroes from constitutional and other causes his mind became disordered and deranged rendering him totally incapable in law of managing and controlling his property or selling or disposing of the same." In addition, he notes that his wife "suddenly abandoned his house ... involving your orator in unspeakable misery and distress and adding much to the disorder and bewilderment of his mind." Lavender accuses the defendants of taking advantage of his diminished capacity and seeks the recovery of the slaves not yet sold, "for whom he had much feeling and towards whom he had that attachment existing between dutiful and obedient servants and a humane and kind master." He also asks that he be compensated for the slaves sold by the defendants.
Result: Dismissed.
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Repository: Williamson County Courthouse, Franklin, Tennessee
