At his death in 1843, Lloyd Ford, Sr. freed his five enslaved children, John, Peg, Edward, Larkin and Rhoda, and left them land and a home near this location. Ford’s son, Lloyd Ford, Jr., contested the will. To fight for their inheritance and freedom, the children asked Phoebe Stuart to file suit as “Next Friend” as they had no legal rights. Tried in Washington County, the court ruled in favor of the children. Appeals in Ford v. Ford recognized the children’s legal rights. Ultimately, the children gained freedom and won ownership of the property.