Hi All (including Chris Floersch):
Another summary of a Bully Pitt-related court case that Rebecca received from the Missouri State Archives. Thank you Rebecca!
The case seemed interesting because of the mention of a slave boy named Jack. Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t mentioned very much in court filings and his importance as an asset wasn’t as significant as the real estate. Neither Brady or Larkin were listed on the 1850 and 1860 Slave Census as owning Jack.
In summary, Bully Pitt sued Larkin Fleshman to stop Fleshman’s execution of a judgment against John C. Brady. Pitt felt that he’d purchased some real estate that had been mortgaged by Brady to Fleshman. Pitt sued to stop the Sheriff’s sale of Brady’s real estate, Jack, the wagon, and two horses. The file did not indicate the outcome of the lawsuit.
Read to the end because Fleshman, in his Will, evidently granted a large part of his estate to an old negro woman, “Aunt Violet,” who had been his housekeeper for many years. Fleshman died in Platte City July 10, 1893. The 1850 and 1860 Slave Census indicates Fleshman owned one (1) 15-year old female black slave in 1850 and one (1) 24-year old female mulatto slave in 1860 (marked as being a runaway slave).
Since the Slave Census’s were conducted 10 years apart, the 15-year old in 1850 could be the 24-year old in 1860.
By the time Fleshman died in 1893, the 24-year old would be 57-years old. Was she “Aunt Violet”?
*****
Platte County Circuit Court November Term 1860
John E. Pitt v. Larkin Fleshman: “Petition for Sale of Property – including land, male slave named Jack, a wagon and 2 horses”
November 26, 1860 – Pitt’s Petition
On July 16, 1853, John C. Brady became indebted to Wisdom(?) Snider/Smider for goods in the amount of $518.90.
On Feb. 20, 1854, Brady executed a mortgage to Larkin Fleshman conveying Lots 11 & 12, Block 31 and Lot 4, Block 29, Platte City, “also a negro boy named Jack, also a wagon and two horses.”
On March 22, 1854 Snider obtained judgment against Brady for the amount of $393.35.
On November 28, 1854, Fleshman obtained a court judgment to foreclose on the mortgage and sell the properties. Brady owed Fleshman $431.58.
(Brady died sometime in 1854).
On May 29, 1855, an execution was issued against Brady directing the Sheriff to sell Brady’s real estate (part of Lot 4, Block 29, in Platte City). Pitt bought the property and alleged “that in obtaining the judgment and purchasing the property, Pitt acted as the attorney of and agent for Snider.”
Pitt alleges that the value of property (Lot 11 & 12, Jack, wagon & horses), except the lot he bought, is $1800.00.
Per the 1854 Fleshman judgment & execution, the Sheriff advertised the sale of the property for Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1860.
Pitt petitions the Court to issue an order directing the Sheriff to sell Lots 11 & 12, Block 31 , and the “negro boy named Jack, also a wagon and two horses” but not Lot 4, Block 29, Platte City, unless the proceeds aren’t enough to pay off Fleshman’s judgment. Alternatively, Pitt wants the Court to substitute Pitt for Fleshman as the beneficiary of the Sheriff’s sale.
November 27, 1860 – Summons issued to Sheriff L. Sheppard to appear “forthwith.”
Summons served Nov. 27, 1860.
No further information in the file or the final outcome indicated.
Best,
Bill Nichols
(Please note & reply to my new email address – nichols48484@gmail.com)
John C. Brady. No slave holdings in 1850 and 1860 Slave Census.
Paxton p. 1068
…and there Mildred Raines married May 7, 1839, Capt. John C. Brady, born in Philadelphia July 31, 1806; died in 1854. They came to Platte City shortly after marriage, and here their lives were spent. Capt. Brady served in the Army of the West in the Mexican War. He was a genial, hearty, and companionable gentleman.
Larkin Fleshman. 1850 and 1860 Slave Census indicates Fleshman owned one (1) 15 year old female black slave in 1850 and one (1) 24 year old female mulatto slave in 1860 (marked as being a runaway slave).
Paxton p. 832
Was born in Greenbrier County, Va., December 9, 1816, and died in Platte City July 10, 1893. He received a good education in the “Old Field’’ schools of his native State. He came to Calloway County, Mo., entered a store as a clerk, and taught school. He married, December 14, 1843, Mirs. Mildrom J. Williams, nee Suggett. Her only child was by her first husband, and was the first wife of Dr. A. T. Guthrie (see), and mother of William Guth rie. (See.) Mrs. Fleshman died November 6, 1849.
During the remainder of his days Mr. Fleshman lived a secluded life, in the care of servants. He kept a small store, off and on, in Platte City, built the Fleshman Hotel, and at intervals kept it; was deaf, yet studied law, was licensed, but from infirmity of hearing did little business; made money, purchased several farms east of Platte City, and invested largely in Platte City property; had no intimate friends, but kept his own counsel; built a costly dwelling in Platte City, and there died, granting, by will, a large part of his estate to an old negro woman, “Aunt Violet,” who had been his housekeeper for many years, and leaving the remainder to his nephews and nieces, children of his brother Perry.