A House Divided

On March 2, 1885 David Dickson's will was submitted for probate to the Ordinary (now called Probate Judge) of Hancock County, R.H. Lewis (my great-grandfather). I believe he was referred to in the film as Judge Stevens. On July 6, 1885, despite the objections of David Dickson's white relatives, R.H. Lewis ruled in favor of the will. Consequently, the attorneys for the white relatives "appealed" to the Superior Court of Hancock County for consideration 'de novo' (latin for 'over again') as to probate of the will. This resulted in the court proceedings that began in November 1885 before a jury with Superior Court Judge Samuel Lumpkin (referred to as Judge Cottner in the film) presiding. No doubt due to time constraints, the film does not very effectively differentiate the proceedings in Superior Court before a jury from the earlier proceedings before the Ordinary (Probate Judge) without a jury.

References Pinky (1949)