Ker, John (fl. 1828) [Petition of Antonio Vela]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02887 Author/Creator: Ker, John (fl. 1828) Place Written: Adams County, Mississippi Type: Document signed Date: circa 1828 Pagination: 1 p. ; 33.5 x 20.8 cm Order a Copy
Legal document by attorney John Ker who served as petitioner for Antonio Vela, a citizen of Louisiana, in the County Court of Adams County, Mississippi. The petition was showing the court "That on or about the first day of April 1828 he [Vela] was possessed of a certain negro man called Peter. That the said negro ran away about the time above mentioned." Says Peter was captured and jailed under the assumed name Harrison in Adams County. Claims that the Sheriff Horace Gridley sold Peter to Gabriel Winter for $380 to cover the cost of jail fees and other expenses after the time allowed by law. Ker also claims that Vela did not know Peter was in jail at that time. Vela knows he has been divested of his ownership interest in Peter because he was not claimed in the time period allowed by law, but he is putting forth "a claim to the balance of said sale (after deducting the prison fees & expenses)." Clipped newspaper advertisement for a runaway enslaved person also in the file. Advertisement says "Ranaway from the plantation of Mrs. Lopez in this parish, an American negro man named BOB, speaks English and French, 6 feet high. A reward of 20 dollars will be paid to whoever will deliever said negro to the undersigined. Jan 3 Rosalie Lopez." The two items do not appear to be related. A small news clipping (appears unrelated) is included witht the letter.
[excerpt]
To the honorable the county court, of Adams county, state of Mississippi
The petition of Antonio Vela a citizen of the State of Louisiana, [inserted: by John Ker his Attorney in fact] humbly complaining showeth unto your honors -
That on or about the first day of April 1828 he was possesed [sic] of a certain negro man called Peter. That the said negro ran away about the time above-mentioned. And your petitioner would state ... that his said negro Peter was taken up & committed as a run-a-way under the assumed name of Harrison to jaol of Adams County ... the Sheriff of Adams County [advertised said negro] for the term required by law ... sold the said negro to Gabriel Winter for 380$ to cover the jaol fees & other expenses ...
Your petitioner would further state ... that he did not know that the said negro had been confined in the said jaol ...
Your petitioner would further state ... that he is advised by his counsel, that he is divested of his property in said negro by reason of ... not claiming him within the time specified by law. And further, the only right [inserted: that now remains to him] is a claim to the balance of said [struck: sail] sale ...
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