Retained copy of a court summons, dated 14 March 1860 for the recovery of ''property'', directed to the sheriff of Copiah County, Mississippi. Handwritten document reads in part, ''You are hereby commanded to summon Joel R. Davis to be and personally appear before the Circuit Court of Copiah County to be held at the Courthouse...to answer into the complaint of Richard B. Harper and Mary M. Harper his wife this day filed in said Court against him for the recovery of four certain negro Slaves as the property and separate estate of said Plaintiff...a woman named Patty of dark complexion about thirty years old age and of the value of fifteen hundred dollars and her three children to wit a girl named Frances of dark complexion about eleven years old of the value of twelve hundred dollars, a boy named Bill of dark complexion and about ten years old of the value of one thousand dollars and a girl named Alice of dark complexion and about eight years old of the value of eight hundred dollars''. Both Joel R. Davis and Richard B. Harper are both listed as slave owners in the Copiah Co. 1850 census, with Davis owning 13 slaves and Harper 3 slaves. With docketing on verso, document measures 7.75'' x 11''. Light chipping at edges and small holes at intersecting folds. Overall very good condition.