Meacham v. Williams
Supreme Court of Alabama
Appeal from the decree of the Court of Chancery for the 15th District. The case made by the bill maybe thus stated. The complainant, Leah Meacham, a feme covert, sueing by her prochein amie, asserts that she is entitled to the separate use, possession and control of certain slaves, to-wit: Sarah and her children Spencer and Young, under the terms of a deed of gift executed by her mother Nancy R'enwick, on the 4th of October, 1819, in the State of South-Carolina.
Read the full summary
Appeal from the decree of the Court of Chancery for the 15th District. The case made by the bill maybe thus stated. The complainant, Leah Meacham, a feme covert, sueing by her prochein amie, asserts that she is entitled to the separate use, possession and control of certain slaves, to-wit: Sarah and her children Spencer and Young, under the terms of a deed of gift executed by her mother Nancy R'enwick, on the 4th of October, 1819, in the State of South-Carolina. This deed is exhibited, and its habendum is in these words: which said three negroes, and the future increase of the said Sarah, I…
1Opinion of the CourtGoldthwaite, J.
In our judgment, this bill is multifarious. By a reference to the statement of the cause, it will be seen that the complaint is of three distinct and several wrongful acts, in regard to the slaves sought to be recovered. The defendants Williams and Mecham, the son, are charged as the active agents in the abduction of the slaves, Young, Dick and Ann, with which Wyatt is afterwards connected by receiving the possession of the slaves. They thus constitute the first class, of wrong doers. The second consists of Gooden, McKee, Meacham the son, Wheaton, and Brown, who in this connexion are charged…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Marriott v. GivensSupreme Court of Alabama · 1845
- Cummings v. McCulloughSupreme Court of Alabama · 1843
3Cited by5 opinions
- Donelson's Adm'rs v. PoseySupreme Court of Alabama · 1848
- Seals v. Pheiffer & Co.Supreme Court of Alabama · 1884
- Hardin v. SwoopeSupreme Court of Alabama · 1872
- Conner & Wife v. SmithSupreme Court of Alabama · 1883
- Slosson v. McNultySupreme Court of Alabama · 1899