James J. Canada presents that his grandfather Isaac Coles, during his lifetime, deeded land and a "parcel" of slaves to a woman named Anna Allen, who had borne him a "natural," i.e. illegitimate, daughter named Susannah. The deed specified that Allen would hold the property during her "natural" life; after her death, the said property would pass to daughter Susannah. The deed also provided that after the death of both women, the property should be "equally divided" among Susannah's children, who would hold it in "fee simple." Susannah, whose last name is Canada, has recently died leaving five children, sixty-three acres of land, and four slaves. James Canada charges that the slaves, now four in number, are currently in the possession of a certain Martin Canada, who refuses to release them and that the land is in the hands of one Benjamin Traynham. He therefore prays that Martin Canada and Benjamin Traynham, as well as his four siblings and their spouses, be made defendants in his suit. He also prays for a decree to partition the land and slaves "according to the rights of the parties."
Result: Dismissed.
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Repository: Halifax Circuit Court Building, Halifax, Virginia
