Brown v. Forbes
Brown v. Forbes
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
Forbes instituted an action of trover against Brown, founded upon the conversion of a female slave, named Aggy. Under a plea of not guilty, a jury found for the plaintiff below, one hundred and seventy-three dollars and fifty cents damages. Upon a motion for a new trial, the plaintiff below remitted of the damages all but eighty dollars, and the motion was overruled.
By the evidence, it is shown that Forbes bid off the slave at a sheriff’s sale, borrowed the purchase-money of one Towns, at a store, which Stumph & Forbes kept in copartnership, and allowed the slave to remain there. Afterwards, Stumph sold to Forbes all his interest in the store, in which he included an interest in the slave, but the slave continued in the possession of Stumph. The slave was subsequently levied upon, by virtue
This case presents one of those questions of right, which is peculiarly a matter for the consideration and determination of a jury; and, while the facts possibly raise some doubt of the propriety of the finding in this instance, they do not show that strong preponderance of evidence against the finding, which would warrant this court in setting aside the verdict.
Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.