Phebe Martin

Mississippi Territory County of Adams [unknown symbol]

To Lewis Evans Esq. Sheriff of said County

Whereas Phebe a Black Woman and native of Georgia supposed to be free; and lately Advertised by William Wells as a runaway Slave and brought before me by John Kean, declareth [sic] that her Parents were free, and that she was bound by her Mother to a Certain Champ Terry, until she was of Age, her time by him Transferr'd [sic] to Thomas Whitehead of Burk County in the State of Georgia & by him Transferr'd [sic] to John/John Wells and William Wells, or to One of them, who forcibly brought her to this Territory from the said State of Georgia. And Whereas the said Phebe informs Me that Stephen Blount, Luke Blount, John House, John Bickham, Thomas Bickham & John Wells Sen. Can verify the Truth of her declaration as aforesaid. These are therefore in the name of the United States to enjoin You to cause the said.

Lewis Evans Esq.... Sheriff of the County of Adams

Some days ago was informed by Mr. Justice Clark that the Wench Phebe placed by the Court of Common Pleas in your care during the Suite therein depending on her accounts....hath been taken by Violence from this territory...to the Appalusa and an attempt there made to sell her as a Slave...by a certain John Wells..the proof whereof is contained in a Letter from the Commandant of that place to Mr Justice Clark and by him transmited [sic]to Mr Duncan [ ] in the cause of Phoebe pending in our Court as afores'd--

Mr. Justice Dunbar says he is well acquainted with the handwriting of the Commd. of the Appalusa and can swear to it.... I have met with no conclusive oppinion [sic] on this busin ess... but I have made up mine [sic] ... which is that it clearly rests with you to prosecute; for it is from you, that the Ct. of comm'n pleas has to demand the Woman... It is recomm ended to one by Mr. Justice Clark to forward the prosecution of Wells to effect... and request