Martha, Here is the first of some abstracts of Harper documents at the NC Archives.I will send them in separate e-mails as I get them typed. Brenda Supreme Court No. 07 4 NC Pitt County 1857 File: CR 079.508.31 Harper, Alexander Henry Wingate vs Susan Harper, John Cox, and W.S. Hanrahan In equity. Bill of Henry Wingate in his own right vs John Cox, Susan Harper, Oliver Harper, and Francis Harper 1. Henry Wingate acting in his own right and as Administrator for Blaney Harper, Nancy Harper, and John Harper. 2. Alexander Harper died in Pitt Co. and had last will and testament proved in Pitt County Court. Blaney Harper duly qualified as one of the executors. 3. Negro woman Mary and child Eveline left to Alexander Harper's wife Susan for her life with remainder to his children. 4. Children of said testator at his death: Oliver Harper, Francis G. Harper, Blaney Harper, Nancy Harper wife of Henry Wingate, and John Harper. 5.The children last named Blaney Harper, Nancy Harper Wingate, and John Harper died afterwards intestate. Pitt County Court administrations on the several estates werre granted in full to your orator Henry Wingate. 6.Afterward, writings of Oliver and Francis Harper assigned all their estates in saif slaves to your orator Henry Wingate. 7. Slaves were put in possession of Susan Harper. She sold and delivered said above and increase to John Cox to the intent that they be carried out of state and disposed of beyond jurisdiction of this court. Cox in performance of such purpose sold said slaves to Walter Hanrahan who knew the premises. 8. Said Cox knew at time of purchase the interest of oratorand that Susan held slaves for her life only. Very small price paid to Susan, little exceeding value of her life estate. 9. Susan quite old. Cox took slaves out of state, sold them to W.S. Hanrahan and they combining together now keep them concealed, intending to defraud your orator of his estate in them. 10. To the end that Susan Harper, John Cox, and W.S. Hanrahan may appear next court term to answer orator's inquiry, and rights of orator may be declared,and slaves may be secured to the orator on the falling in of the life estate, that the deft Cox be enjoined from removing of slaves from this state or disposing of them. Orator asks for subpoena commanding Susan Harper, John Cox, and W.S Hanrahan to appear and answer to court, to submit and abide by directions, decrees, and injunctions. Wm. B. Rodman >