Nehemiah Carrington, libellant and appellant, brought a case against the brig Ann C. Pratt and Leonard B. Pratt, claimant. The dispute was over wages owed to Carrington for his service as a seaman on board the vessel from October 1851 until February 1852 when he was discharged in New York City without pay or allowance of any kind. The District Court found that there were no sufficient grounds to support the claim of libel by Nehemiah Carrington; however, upon appeal to the Supreme Court it was determined that although there may have been some irregularities in payment due to an oversight or mistake by either party involved in this matter, Nehemiah Carrinton had still not received full compensation for his services rendered aboard the vessel during those months and thus should be paid accordingly according to maritime law at that time.

In Nehemiah Carrington v. The Brig Ann C. Pratt, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a libelant (Carrington) could recover damages from an owner of a vessel for injuries sustained by him while employed as a seaman on board that vessel. The majority opinion held that the libelant had no right to recover such damages because he did not have any contract with the claimant (Leonard B. Pratt). However, Justice Grier dissented and argued that under maritime law, seamen are entitled to compensation for their services regardless of whether they have entered into any agreement or contract with their employer prior to commencing work aboard ship. He further noted that this principle has been established in numerous cases and should be applied here as well; thus allowing Carrington's claim against Leonard B. Pratt for his injuries suffered at sea due to negligence on behalf of the latter party's vessel and crew members who were responsible for his safety during employment onboard said vessel