I received this tid-bit from a cousin recently and I thought that it might be of interest to our fellow Inman family researchers and could possibly benefit someone who is tracing their African ancestry. Tracy ----- >Giles County Chancery Files #19 File Box E-4 Case 1632 1859: >Elias, a person of color (Free by next friend Quarles T. Mayfield vs >Joseph C. Inman > >Elias states that Joseph C. Inman and John C. Inman became the owner of >Elias under the last will and testament of Major Joseph Inman, deceased. > >On September 13, 1855 John C. and Joseph C. Inman gave Elias his >freedom. This instrument was registered in the Registrar's office. >Joseph C. Inman then tried to get Elias back in his possession. >John C. Inman died in 1858, leaving a will. It was ruled Elias be sent >back to the Western coast of Africa. Thomas M. Jones and Calvin Clack >were Elia's attorneys. The case was taken to the Tennessee Supreme >Court in Nashville. >