State vs Stephen, a Slave, Regarding Theft of Property 37A Packet 17

Drawer 37-A packet 0017 State vs Stephen a slave

stole material from Ben Owen

The State of Alabama Shelby County ss To any legal Constable of said County Greeting

You are hereby commanded to Summons Jo. Smith to be & appear before me at montevallo on Thursday the twentyseventh of this Ins. then & there the truth to testify speak in a certain matter of controversy before me depending wharein the State is plaintiff & a certain negro man Stephen is defendant a witness for Stephen & this he shall in no wise omit under the penalty of the law

Given under my hand & seal this 26th day of July 1826

James Estill [seal] Justice of the peace

the State vs Stephen

Subpoena J Smith

Ext^d J D Shelley const

The State of alabama Shelby County Personally appeared before me James Estill a justice of the peace within and for said County. Benjamin Owens who being duly Sworn deposeth and says that time in the Month of Feby last on or about the Day of s^dMonth in the night the storehouse of him the said Benjamin Owens at the County aforesaid in the Town of Montevallo was feloniously and Burglariously Broken open and four yards of broadcloth of the value of twenty dollars 1 Robe dress of the value of seven dollars and two vest pattens of the value of three dollars of the goods and Chattles of him the said Benjamin Owens feloniously and Burglaiously Stolen taken and Carried away from thence and that he hath Just cause to Suspect and Doth suspect that a certain negro man named Stephen the property of One Minor w Haris of the County aforesaid the said felony and Burglary did Commit Sworn and Subscribed before me this twentyeth day of July 1826 Benjamin his mark Owens James Estill Justice of the peace

Benjamin Owens affidavit