Gabriel Martin gave his daughter Margaret a female slave named Phebe and a tract of land in Louisiana valued at $1000 as a dowry for her marriage to James Brown in 1802. The couple resides in Brazoria County. In 1808 James sold the land and kept the money for his own use. In addition, James now owns Phebe's 6 children and 13 grandchildren, who have been borne during the 42-year-marriage. He also received two large sums of money through Margaret's inheritance from her parents, both of whom had died by 1820. Citing laws "in force" in Louisiana at the time of her marriage, Brown represents that she is entitled to "restitution of her dowry" as well as replacement of "her dotal effects ... which were alienated by her husband" since their marriage. She asks that her husband be summoned and that the slaves, land, and money she received as her dowry and from her parents' estates be declared her "sole separate property." She further asks that she be paid interest at five percent on the value of the money.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas
