John Wormeley, plt. against Benjamin Hicks, Deft. In Detinue. Discontinued for want of Prosecution.

Benjamin Hicks at the Suit of John Wormeley, In Detinue.

The Deposition of Benjamin Williams. Greensville County State of Virginia 24th of August 1782, Benjamin Williams of Amelia County being first duly sworn by John Lucas a Justice for said County on the holy Evangelists deposeth and saith That as well as he can remember in May 1772 he was at Northumberland Courthouse attending on a Horse of Peter Stoner's which he rode against a Horse of John Wormeley's and in the course of the Week, Robert Poythress, and John Wormley entered into Card playing and the said Robert Poythress won of John Wormley a large quantity of Tobacco to the amount of Twenty or Twenty two thousand weight but believes it was twenty two thousand and in a few days after in my presence, John Wormley offered his negroe man Dick for sale to Robert Poythress in discharge of the said tobacco, which said Wormley had lost with said Poythress on condition that Robert Poythress would let the fellow stay with his Horse untill the race was Run as he said he could not do well without him. Soon after that at Muse's Store about four hundred yards from the Courthouse the said Poythress asked the said negroe Dick whether he would be willing to serve him, as his master had offered him for Sale, Dick agreed to go if he was to be sold; After that Robert Poythress applied to John Wormley to buy the fellow that he had offered and in my presence John Wormley made answer, you shall have the fellow as I proposed Pointing towards the Negroe Dick, and said there he is, he is yours, which Poythress agreeed to; but I must have the fellow said Wormley until after my race is run as I first observed. Robert Poythress's answer was if he would be of a any service to you until then you are welcome to him until then; but what the price was that Robert Poythress was to give I do not remember but from what I could understand from them, the Negroe was to pay the Debt won of Wormley, and whatsoever was done after I never heard whether Wormley delivered the Negroe or not; untill he was called on by Benjamin Hicks as a Witness, And further this deponent saith not. "John Lucas" This Deposition ordered to be recorded on the motion of the said Benjamin Hicks. Court for September 26, 1782.

Order Book 1, page 43, Greensville County, Virginia