Wilson v. Porter

This is a petitory action; petitioner alleges he is the owner of a negro boy named “ Jim,” having purchased him by authentic act from Mary Melinda Wilds, wife of Clark McDowell, that one Porter has the slave in his possession, and has had illegal possession of him for three years.

He prays to be decreed his owner, and asks also for the value of his hire for three years.

Poirier plead the general denial, and also averred that in 1843 he purchased the negro from the same vendor from whom plaintiff acquired his title, and has had him ever since in Ms possession.

Mary M. McDowell intervened,…