Martin B. Wood avers that his father John died "possessed of a considerable estate both real and personal," which was partitioned among the surviving heirs. The widow Nancy was allotted a life estate of four slaves and sundry other goods. The widow has recently died, and her executors have taken possession of her estate, of which they have sold the property and hired out the slaves, who now number ten. He contends that one of the heirs, Jonathan H. Wood, "some years ago took off to west Tennessee a negro girl called Sally which was one of the decendants of the negroes divided to said Nancy Wood ... which negro he sold for the sum of $800." The life estate should be distributed among the remaining heirs, the petitioner contends, "but in making the distribution the said Jonathan H Wood will be required to account for the $800 and interest." Martin Wood prays that Nancy Wood's executors as well as the other heirs of the estate be made party to this suit. Wood further prays that the court will order an assessment of the estate, including the $800, and that a division of the property be rendered. In a cross bill, Jonathan H. Wood states that his mother "gave him the negro girl Sally."
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
