Court Action (John McQueen and Sapelo Island)

In 1787, attorneys for John McQueen, against whom a judgement for 400 pounds had been obtained in Chatham County Inferior Court, cited a Georgia statute that allowed McQueen to choose the property to be seized by the Sheriff to satisfy the judgment. The attorneys directed that Sapelo Island could not be seized, and that instead the following enslaved people would be seized:  Rosannah, a girl or woman in the possession of Benjamin Lloyd Esquire; and Bacchus, Fanny, Nancey [alt: Nancy], Jack, Middlesex, Penda, Elsey [alt: Elsy], Lucey’s daughter and Lucey [Lucy] in the possession of Nathaniel Pendleton. If that was not enough, they directed that the Point plantation on the Ogeechee River, in the possession of William Price, be seized along with “certain other Negroes” owned by John McQueen. 

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State of Georgia, Chatham County} Grizzle Stuart vs. John McQueen Esq’r [Esquire]. 

In the Inferior Court. 

Verdict for the plaintiff for 400 [pounds] with Interest from 28th June 1787

To all and Singular the Sheriffs, in and Throughout the said State. 

We Alexander McQueen and Samuel Stirk of Savannah in the State aforesaid Esquire Attornies [sic] for the above mentioned Defendants send greetings. 

Whereas in and by the 50th Section of the Judiciary act of this State, it is provided as follows “promised always, that it shall be at the option of the defendant or Defendants, to point out to the Sheriffs, and he is hereby obliged to Levy on the property such Defendants Choose to be levied on, if the same be sufficient” and whereas an Execution in the above mentioned case being as we are informed issued and placed in the hands of some or one of the Sheriffs of this State, we think it expedient in behalf of our Constituents to excise the right and claim the indulgence for him, which the above proviso gives, therefore know ye that we have forbidden and hereby do expressly forbid that the Island of Sapelo or any appendages be levied on for satisfaction of the above mentioned, or any other Judgment against the said John McQueen. But as the Judgment now in question was obtained in the County of Chatham, we think it most regular that the execution on the same should be confirmed in the first Instance to that county and therefore we do hereby point out to you, to be levied on under the said Execution a negroe Girl or Wench named Rosannah in the possession of Benjamin Lloyd Esqr also Bacchus, Fanny, Nancey [alt: Nancy], Jack, Middlesex, Penda, Elsey [alt: Elsy], Lucey’s daughter and Lucey [Lucy] in the possession of the Honorable Nathaniel Pendleton Esquire, and if not found sufficient to satisfy the same, then a Plantation on Ogechee [alt: Ogeechee] River called Point plantation formerly belonging to the Estate of Sir James Wright, and at present in the possession of William Price Esquire, with certain other Negroes, the property of the said John McQueen long after the Judgment aforesaid was obtained against him, of which you the said Sheriffs will hereby be pleased to take notice, at your peril, witness our hand at Savannah the 24th Day of June 1791. 

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Witnessed by Charles Harris. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on June 27, 1791.