# Lancaster County, SC - Court of Common Pleas - Judgment Roll 3880

| | |
|---|---|
| **Case** | Alexander Wright, infant son of Levi Wright and wife Elizabeth Wright, by his next friend William Owens, v. James A. Blackman (Blackmon) (trespass - assault and battery) |
| **Dates** | 1854-1855 |
| **Roll** | Roll 3880 |
| **Pages in source images** | 82 |

## Source

Lancaster County (formerly Lancaster District), South Carolina, Court of Common Pleas, Judgment Roll 3880. Original records held by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, SC. Transcribed from photographs of the original judgment roll (image files: folder [3880](3880/), 82 photographs).

## Disclaimer

This transcription was made using AI (Claude, by Anthropic) from photographs of the original court papers. It is an attempted transcription, not a certified copy. Faded ink, difficult handwriting, torn folds and damaged pages make some readings uncertain, and errors are possible. Check the original images before relying on any reading.

## Transcription conventions

- Original spelling, capitalization and abbreviations are kept as written.
- `[?]` = uncertain reading; `[illegible]` = could not be read; `[blank]` = a space left empty on the original.
- `[struck: ...]` = printed or written text that is lined through on the original.
- `[...]` and *[italic bracketed notes]* = editorial explanations added by the transcriber; `[letters]` inside a word = letters supplied to expand an abbreviation.
- On printed forms, handwritten fill-ins are shown in ***bold italics*** where it helps to tell them apart from the printed text.
- "Img." numbers refer to the photographs in the roll's image folder, in file-name order, which is not always the order the papers were written in.

**Notes on these images:**

- Many sheets were photographed sideways or upside down and were rotated for reading.
- Imgs. 78 and 79 are two photographs of the same execution, with a slip of paper listing the witnesses' fees laid over it (Img. 78) and folded back (Img. 79).
- Imgs. 4-75 are printed subpoena writs (with their sheriff's returns) and subpoena tickets (with the clerk's notes of the days each witness attended), for the Spring (March) and July terms of 1855. They are summarized in tables giving only the handwritten details; the witnesses' fees are listed in full from the slip on Img. 78. The returns on the writs were read from overview photographs and some names and dates in them are uncertain.
- "Per Pro Ami" is the clerk's abbreviation for *per prochein ami*, "by his next friend."
- The weapon in the declaration is written "Hain String," that is, a hame string (a leather strap from a horse's harness).

## Transcription

**Img. 1 - Docket cover of the declaration, with pleadings and verdict**

> [Right panel:]
> Roll 3880 (36 Eng [?])
> Lancaster
>
> Alexander Wright
> Per Pro Ami
>    vs } Decl in Trespass
> James A. Blackman
>
> J. Williams
> Pltff Atty
>
> Filed 16 Febry 1855
> Rule Posted same day
>     J. A. Stewman
>     Clk
>
> Order for Judgment 16^th March 1855
>     J. A. Stewman
>     Clk
>
> Deft pleads Gen^l issue Justification, & licence from the Mother of A. Wright &c.
>     Clinton & Secrest
>     Defts attys
>
> Replication
> Similiter to Gen^l Issue &c
> & The Mother of A. Wright did not justify nor license the Defendant -
>     J. Williams
>     Pltff Atty
>
> Clinton & Secrest
>
> [Left panel:]
> We finde for the plantif Two Hundred and twenty five dollars damage.
>     Allen Morrow Fo[reman]
>
> atty - $30
> Clk - 12.75
> Shff - 26.65
> Witnesses - 81.00
>          150.40
>
> Fi. Fa. 2^d Aug^t 1855
>     J. A. Stewman
>     Clk
>
> Recorded in Book N
> page 422

*["justify nor" is written above the line in the replication. The defendant's plea of "licence from the Mother" claims that Elizabeth Wright had permitted the punishment.]*

---

**Img. 2 - Declaration**

> State of South Carolina } To Wit In the Common Pleas -
> Lancaster District }
>
> James A. Blackman the Defendant was attached to answer to Alexander Wright an Infant Son of Levi Wright & Wife Elizabeth Wright under twenty one years of age who sues by next Friend William Owens the Plaintiff of a plea of Trespass, and thereupon the said Plaintiff by J. Williams his Attorney complains against the said James A. Blackman the Defendant, for that the said Defendant on or about the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, with force and arms made an assault on him the said Alexander Wright [struck: Infant] then and still being the Infant Son of the said Levi Wright and Elizabeth Wright, to Wit, at Lancaster Court House in the District and State aforesaid and within the jurisdiction of this Court, and then and there beat, bruised, wounded and ill-treated the said Alexander Wright, and also with a certain large Hain String gave and struck him the said Alexander Wright Infant as aforesaid a great many violent blows and strokes on and about his head, face, breast, back, arms, legs, and divers other parts of his body, insomuch that by means thereof, the said Alexander Wright then and there became, and was sick, sore, lame, and disordered, and so remained and continued for a long space of time, to wit from thence hitherto, during all which time he the said Alexander Wright thereby suffered and underwent great pain, and was hindered and prevented from performing and transacting his necessary affairs and business by him during that time to be performed [struck: and transacted - and also, that the said James A. Blackman] and transacted, and other wrongs to the said Alexander Wright Infant then and there did to the great damage of the said Alexander Wright and against the Peace and dignity of this State wherefore the said Alexander Wright saith that he is injured, and hath sustained damage to the amount of five thousand Dollars and therefore he brings suit &c -
>
>     J. Williams
>     Pltff Atty

---

**Img. 81 - Original writ (printed form: "Copy Writ in Case - 'Ledger' Print")**

> State of South Carolina.
> TO ALL AND SINGULAR THE SHERIFFS OF THE SAID STATE, GREETING:
>
> YOU, and each of you, are hereby commanded without delay, to attach the bod***y of James A. Blackman*** the Defendant wheresoever found within your and each of your respective Districts, so that you compel said Defendant to be and appear before the Associate Judges of the said State, at the Court of Common Pleas, to be holden at Lancaster Court House, in and for the District of Lancaster, on the ***third*** Monday in ***October*** next, to answer to ***Alexander Wright an Infant Son of Levi Wright & Wife Elizabeth, under twenty one years of age, who sues by next Friend William Owens, the Plaintiff of a plea, wherefore with force and arms, at Lancaster Court House, in the District and State aforesaid, he the said James A. Blackman, an assault on him the said Alexander Wright Infant did make, and him the said Alexander Wright Infant did beat, bruise, wound, and ill treat, & other wrongs & Enormities then & there did, against the Peace and dignity of this State, to the damage of the said Plaintiff five thousand dollars -*** [struck: the Plaintiff of a plea of Trespass on the Case, &c., and also for certain promises and assumptions by the said Defendant to the said Plaintiff made and not performed, to the damage of the said Plaintiff ... Dollars.]
>
> And have you there this writ, before the Clerk of the said Court, fifteen days next before the sitting of the said Court.
>
> WITNESS, ***J. A. Stewman*** Esquire, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the District of ***Lancaster*** at ***Lancaster Court House*** the ***twenty ninth*** day of ***September*** in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ***fifty four*** and in the ***Seventy ninth*** year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
>
>     ***J. Williams*** Plaintiff's Attorney.
>
> [Left margin:] J. A. Stewman
>     Clk

**Img. 82 - Back of the writ (service)**

> [Left panel:]
> Enter^d 29^th Sept. 1854.
>     J. D. Haile
>     S.L.D.
>
> I have by G. M. Caskey left a copy of this writ at Defts house 30 Sept. 1854.
>     J. D. Haile
>     S.L.D.
>
> Ent - 25
> Serv - 1.00
> 12 m[ile]s - 60
>          1.85
>
> [Center panel:]
> Lancaster     133
> Alexander Wright
> Per Pro Ami,
>    vs } Writ in Trespass $5.000
> James A. Blackman
>
> J. Williams
> Pltff Atty
>
> Original
>
> Service proven before me 4^th Oct 1854
>     J. A. Stewman
>     Clk

---

**Img. 77 - Judgment (printed form: "Postea Judgment on Issue Tried and Verdict for Plaintiff - Morgan's Print, Columbia, S.C.")**

> [Docket, upper left:] Alex Wright Per Pro Ami vs Jas A. Blackman } Decl in Trespass
>
> And Now, at this Day, to wit: The ***Third*** Monday in ***July*** to which day the issue aforesaid was continued in the Court of Common Pleas, at ***Lancaster*** Court House, come the parties aforesaid, and the Sheriff of ***Lancaster*** District, as he has heretofore been commanded, returns that he has summoned forty-eight good and lawful men, to be drawn by ballot, according to the directions of the Acts of the General Assembly of the said State, in such case made and provided, to be and appear before the Justices of the said State, at the Court aforesaid, to be holden at the place aforesaid, on the ***third monday*** [struck: day] aforesaid, by whom, and so forth: and who neither, and so forth; to recognize, and so forth; because as well, and so forth. And afterwards, that is to say, on the day, and at the place aforesaid, before the Justices aforesaid, come as well the said ***Alex Wright Per Pro Ami the Plaintiff*** by ***his*** Attorney aforesaid ***J. Williams***, as the said ***James A. Blackman*** the Defendant by ***his*** Attorney aforesaid ***Clinton & Secrest***: and the Jurors aforesaid, being demanded, some of them, to wit: ***by Allen Morrow their Foreman***
>
> come, and being drawn by ballot, according to the directions of the said Acts of the General Assembly aforesaid, and [struck: sworn of the Jury aforesaid, to say the truth of the within contained,] do, on their oath say, that ***We find for the Plaintiff two hundred & twenty five Dollars Damages. Allen Morrow For.***
>
> as the said Plaintiff above, in ***his*** Declaration, ha***s*** alleged against ***him*** and they assess the damages of the said Plaintiff by reason of ***his Damages so found as aforesaid*** over and above ***his*** costs and charges, by ***him*** about ***his*** suit in this behalf, expended, to ***Two hundred & twenty five Dollars***
>
> Therefore, it is considered, that the said Plaintiff do recover against the said Defendant ***his*** damages so found by the Jurors aforesaid; and also ***One Hundred fifty 40/100 Dollars*** for ***his*** costs and charges aforesaid, to the said Plaintiff by the said Court now here, with ***his*** assent adjudged, and be the said Defendant in mercy, and so forth.
>
>     ***J. Williams Pltff Atty***
>
> [Left margin, written vertically:] Judgment Entered up & signed 2^nd August 1855
>     J. A. Stewman
>     Clk

**Img. 76 - Back of the judgment**

> Lancaster
>
> Alex Wright
> Per Pro Ami
>    vs } Judgm^t Trespass
> Jas A. Blackman
>
> J. Williams
> Pltff Atty
>
> Verdict - $225.00
> Atty - 30.00
> Clk - 12.75
> Shff - 26.65
> Witnesses - 81.00
>
> Satisfied 2 Aug^t 1855
>     J. A. Stewman
>     Clk

---

**Imgs. 78 and 79 - Writ of fieri facias (printed form: "Fi Fa in Debt - Ledger Office")**

> STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
> TO ALL AND SINGULAR THE SHERIFFS OF THE SAID STATE: Greeting.
>
> YOU, and each of you are hereby commanded without delay that of the Goods and Chattels, Houses, Lands, and other hereditaments and real estates of ***James A. Blackman*** you cause to be levied, [struck: as well a certain debt of] ***the sum of two hundred & twenty five Dollars*** [struck: as also the interest on the sum, from the ... day of ... in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ... until satisfaction shall be made of this Execution]; and also, ***One Hundred fifty*** dollars and ***40*** cents ***for costs*** which ***Alex Wright Per Pro Ami the Plaintiff*** in the Court of Common Pleas, before the Judges of the said State, at ***Lancaster*** Court House, lately recovered against the said ***Defendant*** for damages which ***he*** sustained as well by reason of ***an assault committed on his Person*** [struck: the detention of the debt aforesaid], as for ***his*** costs and charges, by ***him*** expended in and about prosecuting ***his*** suit in that behalf, whereof the said ***Defendant is*** convicted as appears on record. And that you have this Writ, and the said monies, "according to law," [struck: before the Judges, at the Court of Common Pleas, to be holden at ... Court House,] to render to the said ***Plaintiff for his*** [struck: debt and] damages ***& costs*** aforesaid.
>
> WITNESS, ***J. A. Stewman*** Esquire, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the District aforesaid, at the place aforesaid, the ***twenty fifth*** day of ***July*** in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ***fifty five*** in the ***Eightieth*** year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
>
>     ***J. Williams*** Plaintiff's Attorney
>
> [Left margin:] J. A. Stewman
>     Clk
>
> [Bill of costs, left margin:]
> atty - W & D 8 / 13 S. Writs 13 / argument 5 / J & Ex 3 / Jury 1     $30
> Clk - W & D .87 / 2 Dockets .25 / 13 S Writs 6.50 / Posting R[ule] .25 / ord for Judg .13 / 2 Entries Issue .50 / Verdict .25 / attend[ance] .50 / Entry orders .50 / J & Ex 1.25 / Record 1.50 / Satisf[action] .25     $12.75
> Shffs - Entry .25 / Serv 1.00 / 12 m[ile]s .60 / Entries S. W[rits] 3.25 / 13 Serv 6.50 / 301 m[ile]s 15.05     $26.65

**Slip pinned to the fi. fa. (Img. 78) - witnesses' fees**

> Jas Baskin Returned $1 over charg^d
> Daniel Hinson - $8 - P^d
> James Gardner - $8 - Paid
> Elizabeth Wright - $8 - Paid
> Benj Williams - $8 - Paid
> Britton Kennington - $8 - P^d
> Columbus Hinson - $8 - Paid
> Sam^l Kennington - $8 - Paid
> John T. Copeland - $6 - Paid
> C. F. Hinson - $8 - P^d
> James Baskin - $8 - P^d
> R. Hammond - 3 P^d     $81 -

**Img. 80 - Back of the fi. fa. (payment)**

> [Left panel:]
> Enter^d 2 Aug. 1855
>     J. D. Haile
>     S.L.D.
>
> [Center panel:]
> Roll 3880
> Lancaster     1170
> Alex Wright
> Per Pro Ami
>    vs } Fi. Fa. in Trespass
> Jas. A. Blackman
>
> J. Williams Pltff Atty
>
> Verdict - $225.00
> Atty - 30.00
> Clk - 12.75
> Shff - 26.65
> Witnesses - 81.00
> Shff fi fa - 8.25
>
> [Figures:] 26.65 / 8.25 / $34.90; 12.75 / 1.50 / 14.25
>
> [Written diagonally across the panel:] Satisfied 2 Aug 1855 [?]
>
> The Shff will collect $1.50 Clks Defts costs
>     J. A. S[tewman]
>
> Shff will retain 1/2 of verdict for Atty's fee -
>     J. Williams
>
> [Right panel:]
> Received of James A. Blackmon 2 August 1855 Three hundred Eighty Three 65/100 Dollars in full of Verdict & all costs in this case.
>     J. D. Haile
>     S.L.D.

*[$225 verdict + $150.40 costs + $8.25 sheriff's fees on the fi. fa. = $383.65, the sum paid.]*

---

**Img. 3 - Affidavit of Samuel L. Kennington about a lost subpoena, 28 July 1855**

> Alex Wright
>    vs } Trespass
> J. A. Blackman
>
> State of South Carolina }
> Lancaster District }
>
> Personally came before me Samuel L. Kennington & on oath says that he attended on the Spring term of Court on the part of the Pltff five days, and he the said Kennington says that he has lost the subpena or miss laid it so that he can not find it - sworn this the 28^th of July 1855
> Before me
>     J. W. R. Connell [?]          S. L. Kennington
>     Magt

*["on the part of the Pltff" is written above the line. The magistrate's name is uncertain.]*

**Subpoena writs (printed form: "Subpoena Writ - 'Ledger' Print") and their returns**

*[All for the plaintiff, signed J. Williams Pltff Atty, and witnessed by J. A. Stewman, Clerk. The returns on the backs (Imgs. 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38) are by Sheriff J. D. Haile and his deputies, with entry, service and mileage fees.]*

| Img. | Witnesses named | Court | Dated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Mrs Elizabeth Wright, Britton Kennington & C. F. Hinson Esq | third Monday in March inst. | 17 March 1855 |
| 17 | Daniel Hinson | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 |
| 19 | Columbus Hinson, Capt James Gardner | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 |
| 23 | James Baskin, John T. Copeland | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 |
| 25 | Mrs Elizabeth Wright, Benjamin Williams, [struck: Daniel Hinson] | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 |
| 37 | Britton Blackman, Samuel Kennington (Britton's son) | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 |
| 39 | Britton Kennington, C. F. Hinson Esq | third Monday in March inst. | 17 March 1855 |
| 21 | James Baskin, John T. Copeland, Daniel Hinson | third Monday in July next | 12 July 1855 |
| 27 | Mrs Elizabeth Wright, Benjamin Williams, Columbus Hinson | third Monday in July next | 12 July 1855 |
| 29 | Samuel Kennington (Britton's son), Capt James Gardner | third Monday in July next | 12 July 1855 |
| 31 | Owen Sims, Leonard Hemming [?] | third Monday in July next | 12 July 1855 |
| 33 | [illegible; faded] | third Monday in July next | 12 July 1855 |
| 35 | C. F. Hinson, Britton Kennington, Raleigh Hammond | third Monday in July next | 12 July 1855 |

**Subpoena tickets (printed form: "Subpoena Ticket - 'Ledger' Print") and the clerk's notes of attendance on their backs**

| Img. (back) | Witness | Court | Dated | Signed | Note on back |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (6) | Mrs Elizabeth Wright | third Monday in March | 17 [?] March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | - |
| 7 (-) | Benj. F. Williams [?] | third Monday in March inst. | 14 March 1855 | Clinton & Secrest Deft | for the defendant |
| 8 (9) | C. F. Hinson | third Monday in March | 14 March 1855 | Clinton & Secrest Deft | "C. F. Hinson three days proven before J. Williams" [?] |
| 10 (11) | Daniel Hinson | third Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Daniel Hinson three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 12 (13) | Capt James Gardner | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Capt Jas Gardner proven three days before me J. F. Walsh [?] Magt" |
| 41 (40) | Daniel Hinson | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Daniel Hinson three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 43 (42) | Capt James Gardner | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Capt James Gardner three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 45 (44, 46) | Benjamin Williams | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Benjamin Williams three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 47 | Benjamin Williams | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | - |
| 49 (48) | Mrs Elizabeth Wright | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Mrs Elizabeth Wright three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 51 (50) | Britton Kennington | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Britton Kennington three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 53 (52) | Britton Kennington | third Monday in March inst. | 17 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Britton Kennington three days proven before me J. Williams [?] Clk" |
| 55 (54) | Columbus Hinson | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | - | "Columbus Hinson three days proven on this ticket before me 18^th July 1855 John Bryant [?] Magt" |
| 57 (56) | Columbus Hinson | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Columbus Hinson proves three days before me J. F. Walsh [?] Magt" |
| 59 (58) | Samuel Kennington (Britton's son) | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Saml Kennington (Brittons Son) three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 61 (60, 62) | John T. Copeland | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "John T. Copeland three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 63 | John T. Copeland | third Monday in March inst. | 12 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | - |
| 65 (64, 66) | C. F. Hinson Esq | third Monday in March inst. | 17 March 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "C. F. Hinson Esq proves four days on this ticket before me 18^th July 1855 John Bryant [?] Magt" |
| 67 | C. F. Hinson Esq | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | - |
| 69 (68) | James Baskin | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "James Baskin three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 71 (70) | James Baskin | third Monday in July inst. | 11 July 1855 | Clinton & Secrest Deft | "Jas Blackman [?] three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 73 (72) | Raleigh Hammond | 3^d Monday in July inst. | 12 July 1855 | J. Williams Pltff | "Raleigh Hammond proven three days before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |
| 75 (74) | Benj. F. Williams [?] | third Monday in July inst. | 14 July 1855 | Clinton & Secrest Deft | "Benj F. Williams three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk" |

*[Img. 4 is the back of a ticket marked "Mrs Elizabeth Wright three days proven before me J. A. Stewman Clk." The magistrates' names on Imgs. 13, 55, 56 and 65 are uncertain. Img. 33 is too faded to read.]*