Hendricks, TN, 1787-1804 - Court Records

Film # 024630 - Court Minutes 1803-1809, Davidson Co., Tennessee (Nashville), Page 12
Eliljah Hendrick exec. vs. Obediah Hendrick, Jeremiah and Joseph Hendrick.
1797

Orator Elijah Hendrick being indebted in the sum of 40 lbs Virginia money, [there] being an execution out against your orator [and his] being afraid that his property would be sold for a trifle so to satisfy said debt and being about to move to Cumberland Co. in Tennessee and gain a little time to make up [this] money without being distressed by the Sheriff for said debt. Your orator intend[ed] an agreement with certain Obediah Hendrick and certain Jeremiah Hendrick (whom prator prays may be made defendants to this bill [and] with optional words, charge them) to following effect; to wit that said Obediah and Jeremiah would take into their custody at Halifax aforesaid two Negro boys, property of your orator, carry them to Cumberland and feed and clothe them for use of their labor for 1 year. He states also that in 1789 Jeremiah went to Halifax, Virginia after being in Cumberland Co., Tennessee. Then he loaned the two Negroes to Joseph Hendricks. Obediah, Jeremiah and Joseph Hendricks are sued by Elijah Hendricks for the two Negro slaves.

Signed Andrew Jackson
Wit:  Amos Hendricks
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Pages 12 - through 19 are records of the court battle of these Hendricks.

It states on the last pages that of Elijah Hendricks:

     "This defendant admits that it to be true that the said Jeremiah, his brother, left the said two Negroes mentioned in his possession when going from this county to Virginia."

Also, his brother Obediah had him, the said Elijah, arrested by a Justice of the Peace in Sumner Co., Tennessee.  This family battle goes through part of all of 1804 and through page 25.  It also states that Joseph Hendricks is a brother.

October, 1804 - Elijah Hendricks against Jeremiah Hendrick, Wilson Co., Tennessee Appeal Court, issues a pickup of Jeremiah if in Wilson Co. to appear in Court.  Jeremiah promised 100 barrels of corn in 1799 for the use of the two Negroes.  The jury agrees that Jeremiah has broken his oath and he is fined $200 and court costs.

Signed Andrew Jackson

(Notes:  Yes, it does appear that the person signing these documents is the future president Andrew Jackson.  He was known to be in Nashville, TN practicing law at this time.  The words in brackets are mine (D. L. Hendrix). I wonder if this squabble caused a lasting family rift).

Contributed by:  Mrs. Flo Gunn, Ocala, Florida
By way of: dhendrix@ix.netcom.com)  Mesa, Arizona