Williamson v. Fels, Superior Court, Caswell County, NC, March 31, 1870

 Williamson v. Fels, Superior Court, Caswell County, NC, March 31, 1870

It appears George Williamson and W. E. Williamson (as guardians of some person) sued Lazarus Fels in Caswell County Superior Court in 1870. A summons was issued, but was ineffective because Fels was outside the jurisdiction. Thus, the court through Clerk of Court H. F. Brandon pursued notice through publication, which would legally suffice to place on notice a person outside the jurisdiction of the court.

The dispute was over the nonpayment of $300 "due the plaintiff for the hire of slaves." Thus, according to the complaint, Fels had hired enslaved people owned by the Williamsons (or the person for whom the Williamsons were appearing as guardians) and did not pay for the use of such enslaved people. Fels apparently still owned property in Caswell County, and through this legal proceeding the Williamsons would be able to attach the property and use it to satisfy the claim, presumably by having the court sell the property.

How the matter was resolved in not known. Also not known is the person (or persons) the Williamsons represented as guardians.

The Greensboro Patriot (Greensboro, NC), 31 March 1870.

_____

The plaintiffs may be brothers George Williamson, Jr. (1824-1893) and Weldon Edwards Williamson (1832-1901). The defendant is Lazarus Fels (1815-1894). H. F. Brandon is Henry Field Brandon (1831-1900).