Thomas Wills, "being unfortunate, and in point of intellect, an absolute idiot," went to live with his brother, Miles C. Wills, in 1822. Thomas brought with him four slaves, a woman and her three children, who were "good and efficient hands for all ordinary plantation purposes." In subsequent years, the slaves "constantly labored" on the brother's farm, as did Thomas, "with that fidelity & perseverance, which always characterise those in the same unfortunate situation." Thomas's four siblings and two brothers-in-law assert that Thomas and his slaves "were the principal, and indeed almost the only reliance of the said Miles C for enabling him to carry on his farming operations." When Thomas Wills died in the fall of 1830, Miles became administrator of Thomas's estate valued at $825. The siblings argue that the estate was neither credited for Thomas's labor, nor that of his slaves, during the eight years Thomas resided with Miles. They ask the court to appoint commissioners to reopen the account, to assess the hire of the slaves who have "continued in the service and employ" of Miles since Thomas's death, and to "settle the same according to the justice & equity of the case."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
