SOUTH CAROLINA, CHARLESTON DISTRICT. IN THE COURT OF ORDINARY. BY GEORGE BUIST ESQUIRE, ORDINARY. ON DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE PETITION OF PHILIP E. PORCHER QUALIFIED EXECUTOR OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF EDWIN STEELE LATE OF CHARLESTON PHYSICIAN DECEASED: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT HE HAVE LEAVE TO SELL AT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SALE THE FOLLOWING SLAVES VIZ ROSE THOMAS AND DENNIS BELONGING TO SAID ESTATE AND INCLUDED IN INVENTORY FILED AND RECORDED IN THIS COURT. THE SAID SLAVES HAVING BEEN SOLD IN 25 MARCH 1862 AT PUBLIC SALE AND THE EVIDENCE ESTABLISHING A BONA FIDE SALE AT A VAIR MARKET VULUE, THE SAID SALE IS HEREBY CONFIRMED AND THIS ORDER TO TAKE EFFECT NUNC PRO TUNC AS IF APPLIED FOR ANTERIOR TO SAID SALE. TERMS OF SALE CASH. . . GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE, AT CHARLESTON, THIS TWENTY SECOND DAY OF MARCH A. D., 1862 GEORGE BUIST ORDINARY CT.
Charleston: ORDINARY. - ORDER FOR SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. Printed and Sold by Evans & Cogswell, 1862. Oblong broadside, partly printed and completed in manuscript, 8-3/8" x 7-3/8." A few pinholes, with very minor effect on text. Docketed on verso in pencil, "Titles of Negro Slaves." Very Good.
The "Court of Ordinary" evolved into the Probate Court. Porcher required court approval in order to sell the slaves included in the estate of the late departed Steele. Judge Buist backdated his approval [nunc pro tunc] to precede the sale of Rose, Thomas, and Dennis.
Buist and Porcher were both part of Charleston's elite. Buist's family was prominent in clerical and legal circles. George was a Democratic politician and lawyer. The Porcher family dates from 17th century French Huguenot immigration. Over the years it accrued wealth, privilege, and prestige. Philip Porcher was a wealthy plantation owner. Item #41595
Price: $1,250.00