John Kerr represents that his wife Mary "was the late widow of Benjamin Boisseau deceased" and that she "has received her dower & thirds in the estate" of the said Boisseau. Kerr informs the court that "among her thirds so received is a negro slave woman named Martha." The petitioner asserts that the said Martha, who "is now between 30 & 35 years of age," has "very intemperate" habits and that "she has taken to hard drink and is rapidly depreciating in value." Noting that her habits preclude her hiring out and that the "said slave is not child bearing," Kerr "believes it is to the interest of all parties interested that the said slave should be sold." He therefore prays "that your Worships will decree a sale of said Martha absolutely by some fit and proper person ... & decree an investment of the nett proceeds of sale & payment of the interest thereof to your complainant during the life of his wife Mary A. & the principal to the parties entitled to said slave in remainder upon the death of said Mary A. Kerr."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Circuit Court Clerk's Office, Petersburg, Virginia
