Edward Simon petitions, as administrator of Dr. Frederick Zerban's estate, to recover five slaves. In 1804 Zerban's sister, Eleonore, and Zerban's slave, named Polly, resided with the family of Paul Darcantel. Simon claims that Polly had been sent to the Darcantel family to take care of Eleonore. The latter died at the home of her brother, Philip, around 1808. Polly returned to the Darcantel home with the understanding that she could be recalled by Dr. Zerban or his brother at any time. Dr. Zerban later went to Mexico where in died in 1814 or 1815, and the original administrators of his will did not know that Polly was his property. While in the possession of Darcantel, Polly gave birth to four children. After Darcantel's death in 1821, his widow, Basilie Leduc, continued to retain Polly and her children "perfectly aware that the said slave belonged" to the Zerban estate. Basilie "has refused and still refuses to give them up" to the estate without providing "any reasons for this unjust refusal." Simon now requests, on behalf of the Zerban estate, the return of Polly and her children and asks for the payment of a monthly rent until the slaves are returned.
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
