| Summary: | George Williams conveyed some slaves to his son Henry Williams, who conveyed them to his brother, Garrison Williams, for five years, because Henry was about to join the army, with the idea that they would be used to support their father. Two executions were made by the sheriff of Rowan against George Williams and these were levied against two slaves, Sylvia and her child Hannah. The complainants applied to John Howard for assistance asking him to advance the money due on the executions. They proposed to him that if the money advanced was not paid back to him by 25 December 1806, he should receive the use of the slave Sylvia for work until the debt had been paid off. John Howard did not agree to this proposal, but instead said he would purchase the two slaves and then restore them to the complainants as per the initial proposition. Garrison Williams went to Howard's house to pay him the money owing on 18 December 1806, but as Howard was not at home he informed Howard's wife of the nature of his business. Howard took possession of the slaves away on 19 November and Garrison Williams tendered the money to Howard on 21 December and asked for the slaves to be returned. Howard refused to take the money and would not return the slaves, claiming them as his absolute property. The complainants filed a bill in protest early in 1807. Howard refused to recognise the agreement they had made.
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