In 1824, Thomas Johnston, represented by Ambrose H. Sevier, filed suit against James Ball, John Williams and William Blalock in the Superior Court. Johnston alleged that they had given him a note promising to pay $230.62 1/2 worth of peltry, beef hides and beaver furs by April 1823. At the time of the note, peltry was worth twenty cents per hide, beef ten cents per hide and beaver furs $2 each. Johnston claimed that he had never received any payment.

Deputy Court Clerk Thomas Newton, acting for Clerk David McKinney, issued a subpoena to the sheriff of Clark County commanding him to summon Ball, Williams and Blalock to the next term of the Superior Court. On the return, Deputy Sheriff John Caruthers noted that he had served Williams and Blalock in Warm Spring Township, but could not find James Ball.

The case was called during the October Term of the Superior Court but was continued to the April Term. On April 14, 1825, the parties appeared before Judges Andrew Scott, Benjamin Johnson and William Trimble and the "defendant" (the record book does not state which defendants were present) acknowledged his indebtedness. The Court ordered costs to be paid as well, although it declared a credit of $187.25, without stating any reasons.

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