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.

Mississippi Territory, County of Adams, (unknown symbol) United States to Elias Blunt, Stephen Blunt, John Wells Sen. & John House We command you, and each of you, that all business and excuses being laid aside, you, and each of you [large space] be and appear at the next Court of Common Pleas to be holden in the town of Natchez for the said county on the Wednesday next after the first Monday in February February 1801next ensuing the date hereof to testify all and singular whatsoever who has come to your knowlegde [sic] in a certain cause now depending, and then and there to be tried, wherein Phebe Martin is Plaintiff [large scribble] and John Wells Junior. Defendant. And hereof fail not under the penalty of one hundred dollars. (large space) Witness John Ellis Esquire presiding Justice of the said Court this fifth day of January, 1801 January 5, 1801. Issued at the instance of the Plaintiff

Peter Walker Prothy [signature]