John M. Goodwyn seeks to collect a debt. Goodwyn asserts that he acted as security for John B. Seay when Seay purchased "a piece of real estate on Halifax Street in this City" from William Hill and his wife Clara Ann, free people of color. Seay gave the Hills two notes due in six and twelve months with the understanding that the Hills would retain the deed to the land until the whole value was paid. Seay paid the first note but his delinquency forced Goodwyn to pay the second. In 1859, "Seay executed a Trust Deed to J. S. Clements conveying all his interest in this property for the benefit of ... Jane W. Goodwyn." Clements and Jane Goodwyn now hold the land yet neither they nor Seay have ever repaid the petitioner for paying part of the original value to the Hills. Goodwyn therefore prays that the land be seized and sold "& the proceeds thereof may be applied to the payment of the debt paid by your complainant as the security for Jno. B. Seay." A copy of the original deed shows that William Hill received the land by a devise in the will of his father, Cyrus Hill.
Result: Dismissed.
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Repository: Circuit Court Clerk's Office, Petersburg, Virginia
