Davis v. . Brooks
Supreme Court of North Carolina
From Johnston. This was an action of detinue for the recovery of negro Nanny and her children, and negro George. On the part of the Plaintiff, it was proved that these slaves were once the property of Barnaby Bulls ; that his daughter intermarried with Willis Watson in the month of June, 1807", and that shortly after the marriage, Bulls told the negro Nanny that she must go to„Watson’s, and wait upon his daughter ; that he would not part her from her husband, but she must go…
Read the full summary
From Johnston. This was an action of detinue for the recovery of negro Nanny and her children, and negro George. On the part of the Plaintiff, it was proved that these slaves were once the property of Barnaby Bulls ; that his daughter intermarried with Willis Watson in the month of June, 1807", and that shortly after the marriage, Bulls told the negro Nanny that she must go to„Watson’s, and wait upon his daughter ; that he would not part her from her husband, but she must go and stay until he got another to send in her place. Another witness proved that a few days before Nanny went to…
1Opinion of the Court
Taylor, Ch’f- Justice,
delivered the opinion of the Court:
The act of 1806 was made to put an end to litigation, perjury, and the difficulty of investigating ancient transactions, of which parol gifts of slaves had been so peculiarly prolific. With this view, the sixth clause requires that such gifts shall be in writing, signed by the donor, attested by at least one credible witness, and proved or acknowledged, and registered within one year, in the county where the donee resides, provided he be in the actual possession, otherwise to be registered in the county where the donor resides. From…
2Cited by2 opinions
- Stallings v. . StallingsSupreme Court of North Carolina · 1829
- Stallings v. . StallingsSupreme Court of North Carolina · 1829