Petty v. Taylor

Judge Marshall

delivered the Opinion of the Court.

This decree is for greatly too large a sum, unless Petty should be held accountable for a slave, Hannah, alleged to have been given by him to his daughter Susanna Taylor, on whose estate he administered, and who was the mother of the complainant. Whether he should be held thus accountable, depends upon the effect which should be given to his answer, and to the testimony for and against its denial.

The denial in the answer is express and positive ; and the matter being certainly within the knowledge of the defendant, it is entitled to as much…