The grandchildren of William Ezell Sr. seek a distribution of slave property. In his will, Ezell bequeathed to Robertson Ezell "one negro man William and Fanny & her present and future increase" as a trust estate. After Robertson's death, the slaves were to be "equally divided among all his children to them & their heirs forever." The petitioners complain that in 1835 William Ezell Jr., the executor of the trust, sold Kissey and her child Fanny for $425, although he had "no authority under the will of his testator" to do so. Furthermore, William Ezell never applied the proceeds of the sale for the benefit of Robertson and his family, but, as he alleges, gave it up to Robertson who was a prodigal and dissipated man and a gambler. The petitioners ask the court for compensation for the loss of their inheritance. They pray that William Ezell Jr. will be asked to return Kissey with her increase for distribution.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
