John Brown, a free man of color, seeks to settle his partnership account with Thomas Hodge, also a free man of color. The former slaves formed a partnership "as barbers and hair dressers" in 1837 in Columbia, Tennessee, which they eventually "dissolved by mutual consent" in 1853. Brown informs the court that the men used his capital to purchase "small stocks of merchandize such as combs hair brushes, walking canes, cravats gloves, and other fancy articles," which they sold and applied the proceeds to the business. According to Brown, Hodge owned no property at the outset of the venture and "was in fact a slave," who purchased his freedom for $920.20 out of assets belonging to the firm. The firm did "a large and profitable business," which enabled both men to acquire "small parcels of real estate." Neither man, however, had the "skill and experience" to keep books "with great regularity and accuracy." Brown now alleges that Hodge falsified his records and appropriated partnership funds "to his individual use." He also charges Hodge with absconding with "all of the money belonging to said partnership that he could collect" upon the firm's dissolution. Deeming it "unsafe" for Hodge to have the management and control of the material effects of the partnership, he insists that it is "absolutely necessary to protect his rights that some suitable person should be appointed receiver to take charge of the assets of said firm." He prays for an account to be taken by the clerk and master, asserting that Hodge "will be found to be ... largely indebted to said partnership."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Maury County Historical Society Loose Records Project, Columbia, Tennessee
