O'Neal v. Oates

This is an action instituted by Peter O'Heal, as administrator of the succession of Haney Oates, to recover from the defendant a negro woman and child, which he avers to be the property of the estate, and hire for their detention. The defendant pleads that she holds possession of these slaves as tutrix of her minor son, William Thomas Oates, issue of her marriage with Henry Oates, who was the son of Haney. That the said Haney had in her life time divided her negroes amongst her children, and that to her son Henry she gave the slaves in controversy by way of advancement. She specially denies…