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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
Executed this
the,
color
vs
imprisonment
We command you to summon
and appear before the Judge of our
at the
of July next then and there
to
unto
to the damage of said
plaintiff of five hundred
dollars. And have you
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
1. The petition of
Colour
Circuit by
your
petitioner further
in the
state of
for between
was taken by
says thats he said
Courts where your petitioner had
sued for his
to
upon him said
him
kidnapped your petitioner
your petitioner further says that he
the
freedom is unknown
your petitioner prays thats he may be permitted to
sue
as a
may be made
as his personal safety requires
that he
sworn to before me this
1830
It is here by ordered that
poor person to establish his
freedom
is
that said
the
County nor be subjected to any severity because of
his
application for freedom
this
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
this day
permitted to
are residents of the state of
that it is the intention of said
James
to
shall not be
Circuit is in danger of being
before named
enter
into a recognizance with security
dition that the petitioner
not be removed
the circuit Court
of St louis County
But in case said James
refuse to enter into such
then it is further
orderd that the
sheriff of St Louis
County take
of said
land in the sum of five hundred
dollars with security
as the law directs.
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
on this
before me
says he has lived at
Territory
years
his slave that this
who
said I belonged to him) for his freedom that
said
if I
take me to
me as his slave I have offered him $
100 for
my freedom
refuses to take I am in fear that
as
On behalf of the
witness named
I ask that
may be compelled
to give security to
Especally in
said Ralph
Ralph vs.
Coleman
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command you, that you
cause to come
before you such person, or persons, as shall be named to you by
ing> their knowledge of any thing that may relate
to a certain matter of controversy, now pending in our
for the county of
depositions so taken by you as aforesaid, into
writing, you are required to send the same, together with this
commission,
enclosed under your seal, to our said
On application of the attorney for the defendants it is Ruled
that a
Dedimius
state of
on the
vs
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
Take notice, that in pursuance of a writ of
in
twenty seventh and twenty Eight
days of July
hours of six in the forenoon
and six in the afternoon of the
said days respectively, then and there
to take deposition of
witnesses to be read in Evidence on the trial of
the above Cause
within this
June
1830
Ralph a man of Color
vs
and
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
and the said
their attorney,
come & defend the force
wherefore
Complained against them
and for as further plea in this behalf
the said Coleman & James
say that the said
them, because they say that at the time of the
of the said supposed
was,
in by his
of this they put
vs.
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
the deposition of
House of John
1830
Agreeably to the notice here
unto annexed to be
Read as
A suit now pending in the
in the
wherein
defendants -
the deposition of
above case this
deponent being of
age and
Question by
deft
did or did you not start to
the property of
Answer. I did
did or did not
the boat get slow before you
got very far
Answer it did
Question by same
did or did not you and
the boat and
Answer I did
Question by same
did or did not
above named
Coloured man
to Fever River
Answer he did
did or did you not hear
that he had hired the
above named Coloured
man
Of
Answer I did
And further this deponent
The deposition of
same time and in the same
case this
deponent Being of lawfull age and first
Question by deft
was or was you not present in the spring of
and
hire unto
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
Coloured man
Answer I did
Question By Same was or was you not in
Company with the said
heard
Settle up for the
hire of the Coloured man
years Work - Answer I did
Question by same did or ded you not hear
to Deliver him his
negro man
Answer I did
Question by same have you or have you not
lived with
of
Answer I
you not know that
Agreeable to Contract - Answer he
never
did - Question by same was or was
not
Answer
and further this Deponent
the deposition of
Case
and at the same time and place this deponent
Being of lawfull age and
first Duly
and
did or did not
Coloured man with him named
of
Answer it did - Question By Same
did or did not the
Boat and take the Coloured man
him -
Answer he did / Question by same
did you not or did you Ever hear me
give
the said
Coloured man
Answer I never did
and further this deponent
the Deposition of
the
same Case this deponent being of lawful
age and
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
page 5th
did or did you not hear
your
presence of me
state of
did hire of me a coloured man
named
of a
Boat which was Bound to orleans Belonging
to
Answer Said,
did
not said
hired this coloured man named
at the Expiration of one
year / Answer he did
Question By same. did or did not said
state of
Hire of the above named coloured man
named
was Bound to
Answer I did
three or four times hear him Repeat
the same words,
did not
leave or
accordingly to take the above named coloured
man
Answer, he did of
different times
and further this deponant sayeth
not
The deposition of Edward Ridly taken in the same
case this deponant
being of lawful age and first
Duly Sworn deposith and sayeth
Question By Defendant. did or did you not hear
state that he hired the
above named coloured man
Answer I did,
you not also hear
had
the one year services
of the above named
did or did you not
hear
He was Bound by contract to Return the said coloured
man
year and was to as soon as he was able to
attend
to his
was or was not this shortly Before the death of the
said
Question By same do or do you not
that the Said
Answer. I think he was. Question
by
same did or did you not hear
state some
He atlth that I never gave him any leave or
author-
ity
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and further this deponent
the foregoing Depositions
of
and Edward Ridly was this day
and the foregoing
days
the Said Deponents Before the
a
freedom of the peace for
Stated in
the
Hand this
ss.
I
aforesaid do hereby certify that
before whom the foregoing
depositions of
and others appear to have been
taken and whose
name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is
and was at the time of subscribing the same
an acting Justice of the
peace in & for said
County
due and ought to be
given to all his acts
whom acting in his
in court of Justice as
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
I Joseph F
County of White and
whole truth of
his knowledge touching the matter in Controversy between
the parties
aforesaid, that his
by him subscribed in my presence on the day between the
hours and at
the place in that behalf
ss.
I James Ratcliff Clerk of the
Joseph F.Morchane Esq. who made the above
certificate
and before whom the foregoing depostition was taken
now is and was at the date of certifying an acting
Justice of the Peace
within and for said County
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The Deposition of
and for the County of White and
in the year of our Lord
eighteen Hundred and thirty one
hours of eight
o'clock in the forenoon & six o'clock in the afternoon of
said
day at the office of the clerk of the
and notice to be read in
evidence in a certain action
are
defendants.
on the part of the plaintiff, deposith and sayeth as follows.
-
Question is the body of the note
Answer Yes, I belive it is.
Que- Did you sue said
to
said
Ans- The note was written at the
seen it signed and delivered
Question How long did said
o said note?
Answer I believe about one month- perhaps a day or two over or
under
that time.-
Question Was said
a
free man & of a slave whose was he reputed to be ?
Answer He was reputed to be a Slave, and to belong to a
Question How long did
as the salt
works in
Answer I do not know of
hired out his own time.
Question What is the age, colour, size & Description of said negro
man
Answer I have but an
him.
Ralph a man of color
vs
Deposition
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You are hereby commanded to summon
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
and
part of the
Served on
of March
1831
vs
John Steel
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he
be and appear in proper person before the Judge
of our
then and
ther to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our
said Court, wherein
and have you then there this
writ,
Executed this writ on
the
to him in the city of
vs
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and
delay, they be and appear in proper person before the Judge
of our
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain
matter of controversy now pending in our
said Court, wherein
and have you then there
this writ,
Executed this writ on
and
vs
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in
proper person before the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
and
part of the
Executed this writ on John Steel
on
it to them
&
want of time
vs
Coleman &
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
of our
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain
matter of controversy now pending in our
said Court, wherein
and have you then there this writ,
Executed this writ on
and
by Reading
the
vs
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all
manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in proper person before
the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
and
part of the
Executed this writ on John Cornelius
&
it to them
vs
for
forthwith for
16
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and
delay, she be and appear in proper person before the Judge
of our
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain
matter of controversy now pending in our
said Court, wherein
and have you
then there this writ,
vs
Executed this writ by Reading it to
her on the
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside
all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge
of our
then and there to testify and the truth to
say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our
said Court,
wherein
and have you then there this writ,
Executed this writ on
to
him in the
vs
C & J Duncan
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And said plaintiff also complains
of said
1829
the said
did make upon the said plaintiff & him
the said plaintiff did then &
there beat
said plaintiff in
false imprisonment there for a
aforesaid
untill the time of the commencement of this suit And the said plaintiff
that
the said
a free person & the said Defendant held &
Slavery By means of which
plaintiff has
been
ordinary
plaintiff could
large sum of money to
five hundred dollars had not the Defendant
presented
him by the means aforesaid wherefore
the said plaintiff says he is
greatly injured & hath
therefore he sues
vs
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and
delay, she be and appear in proper person before the Judge
of our
then and
there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our
said Court, wherein
and have you then there this writ,
Executed this writ on
county on the
it to her
vs
for defendant
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be
and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
and
part of the
Executed this writ on
July
in
the St Louis County by reading it to them
vs
for plaintiff
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You are hereby commanded to summon
Joseph V.Garnier &
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in
proper person before the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
and
part of the
Executed this writ on
July
the county of
them
found
in my county
vs
for plaintiff
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command you, that you
cause to come
before you such person, or persons, as shall be named to you by
their
their
knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain of controversy, now
pending in our circuit Court,
for the county of
is defendant, on the
part of the said
depositions so taken by you as aforesaid, into
writing, you are required to send the same, together with this
commission,
enclosed under your seal, to our said circuit court, with
all convenient speed.
On the application of the attorney for the plaintiff it is Ruled
that a
on the trial of this cause on the part of the
plaintiff
To the above named defendant
&
he take notice that on the
of June
between the hours of eight O clock in the forenoon
&
6 O clock in the afternoon of each of said days
I shall
prove to take the Depositions of witnesses
to be read in evidence on
the trial of the above
cause
Depositions of witnesses produced sworn &
the / here
shall be
& thirty one
forenoon & six O clock
in the afternoon of said day
/ar of each of said days as the case may
be at the Court
house on the town of
and
Justice of the peace
in a certain cause
Court of the
between
on the part of the Plaintiff
E.B.of lawful age
being produced
the
part of the plaintiff Deposith & saith / here
statement
of the witnesses)
(note) each deposition must be
the office must annex at the fact therof the following
certificate.
At the end of all the Depositions should be a certificate
in the
following form
I A.B a Justice of the peace within & for the
named
Deponents /N.O.P.
me
truth of their knowledge touching
the matter in controversy
aforesaid
that they were examined & their
to writing & by these respectively subscribed in my /
on the day between the hours & at the place on that behalf
first
aforesaid
The clerk of the Court where the
recorded must certify under the seal of the court
to the official
character of the Justice who takes
the deposition. The Depositions must
be
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
Depositions of witnesses produced sworn & examined
on the
8 Oclock in the forenoon and 6 O clock in the afternoon
at the Court
house in the town of
E.W.R.
for the county aforesaid in a certain cause now
depending in the Circuit Court of the
man of color plaintiff and
on the part of the plaintiff.
of lawful age
being produced sworn and examined
on the part of the plff. deposes
& says
Question by Plaintiff. Do you or do you not
know that
to
ans I think in the year
took
he was
in
Quest by same. Was
time he was taken off by your
brother the
property of
Ans. yes,
Quest by same Have you or not heard
or at labor at the mines in
year
ans. I do not recollect
him say
so or not
Quest. by same. Was or was not the said
the knowledge and
ans. I expect he was
Quest. by same. Have you or not heard
or understood that the said
in
ans yes I understood he was at the Fever
Quest by same From whom did you get that information
ans I understood so from Mr. Woodruff and
my brother
Quest. by same. Do you or not know
that
in the state of
ans. I do not
Quest by same Did you or not hear
to labor three in one or the other of three
years
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
to the lead mines in
consent;
him say anything particular about it
did I know that he
know that he was going to take
him to the
he
hired
as I
Quest by same
tell him any
and
also the
the same time and place to be read as evidence
in the same
age and first duly sworn
Quest by plaintiff was you or not
with
Quest by
same Do you or not know that
said
I cant recollect which
work at the
there at work
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
Quest by same-was
by and
with
and
but
cannot tell
by
that
any thing about it,
was going to the
was along with
him
at the time
knowledge that
to
those
in
Quest by
it to
where the said
place where
on the
was hired or not at the
hired And further this deponent saith not
Also the
the same time and place on the part of
by
leave of plaintiff all objections
being received to
the taking of the
in
the same cause this deponent being of
lawful age and first duly sworn
saline works in
he was there before the
settlement was enclosed
but I will not be positive;
can you or can you not state in what year this
was
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Ans. It was in the month of
in
the year 1819
within and for the county
of
of
named deposition of
aforesaid, that they were examined
and this examination
and by then respectively subscribed in
my presence on the
day between the hours
and at the place in the behalf first
aforesaid
I
aforesaid do certify that
subscribed to the above aforesaid certificate is now
& was at the
time of subscribing the same acting Justice of the
Peace in & for said
to all his acts as such
vs
Deposition
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
I
court of said county do
whose
acting
in and for said county
and that full faith and
(a man of colour Deposition)
vs
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
The Deposition of
A Justice of the
Peace within and for the county of
Sangamon and state of
the year of our Lord
Eighteen hundred and thirty one
at the office of Wm.
Carpenter in the Town of
and county aforesaid Between the
hour of eight oclock
in the forenoon and six oclock in the afternoon of
day to be read in evidence in a
certain action pending
in the
examined on the part of the
Plaintiff Deposith and saith
as follows (to writ)
Ques 1st Did you know the plaintiff
slave of
Answer I did
Quest 2nd Do you or not know that said Gordan
while he
hired said
the state of
to the
to state all the circumstance
within your knowledge
on
this subject
the years of 1818
frore several years afterwards
Qust. 3rd Did on did not said Defendant
Answer
that he had purchased said
Gordan
Qust 4th.
on by his
permission to labour at the
at any time, during
the years
you know or have
say
on this subject
Answer I never heard said
thing on the
subject
I Wm. Carpenter a Justice of the Peace within and for
the County of
Sangamon and state of
certify that
the above named Deponent
was by me duly sworn to testify the
whole truth of his
knowledge touching the matter in controversy between
the
parties aforesaid, that his examination was reduced to
writing
and by him subcribed in my presence on the
A.M. and six oclock PM at my office in the
town of
springfield. Witness my hand and seal
this
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command
you that you cause to come
before you such person or persons as shall be named to you by
(a man of color) or
or agent, and him or them examine upon his,
her or their corporeal oath (to be you administered) touching their
knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain matter of controversy,
now pending in
our
is plaintiff and
On the application of the attorney for the Plaintiff it is Ruled
that a
The
office of
spring
an the
the hours of 8 o clock AM
& 6 o clock pm
of said days.
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
of the
peace for the
County of
at the office of the Clerk of the
on the
of said
day, to be read in
a Certain matter of
Controversy
pending in the
and state of
a man of
the plaintiffs,
produced, sworn and examined on the
part of the
plaintiff Deposith and sayeth
as follows
Have you any Recollection of a note
purporting to be a note from
of
Answer
When the Deposition in this Cause was
which was in my hand
Question 2nd. Did said
Negro man said to belong to
work for
the
Ans.
Negros by the name of
work for me in
to belong to
Did these men when working for your in
Did they work for
you with or without the
consent of
master
Ans.
I Considered them slaves, but whether
they
consent I know
of
said
aforesaid, Claiming
them
Ans.
the
then
Did your know said
to John Gordan of
Ans.
I did not
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
I
of the
and state of
Certify that the above named
by me Duly sworn and
testified to
To the matters and
in
the
of eight o clock AM and six o
clock
at the Clerk office of the
of
and seal this
I James
Certify that
foregoing deposition was taken and by him certified
now
is and was at the date of Certifying an
acting Justice of the peace
within and for
said County
Clerk of the
County
vs
for
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You are hereby commanded to summon
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
and
part of
vs
for plff
Executed this writ on the
1831
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The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
The above named
and G. A. Bird
notice that in
from the office of the said
depositions of
the
at the
eight O clock
in the morning six O clock
in the afternoon of that day (and to be
continued from day to day between the
same hours, if need
named cause, or the part of the
defendant.
Executed the within notice by
A. Bird in
the city of
of October
1831
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We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command
you that you cause to come
before you such person or persons as shall be named to you by
or agent, and him or them examine upon his,
her or their corporeal oath (to be by you administered)
touching their
knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain matter of controversy,
now pending in
our
is plaintiff and
you are required
to end the same, together with this commission, enclosed under your seal, to
our said
On the application of the attorney for the plaintiff it is Ruled
that a
on the
This electronic document is published as part of the St Louis Circuit Court historical records project.
The original document is part of the Missouri State Archives St Louis Circuit Court collection.
vs
Woodson Clerk of the Court
for the County aforesaid (the
same being
a Court of record so
to
at Office this
November one thousand eight
hundred thirty
one
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Deposition of witness produced Sworn and examined
at the Court House in
the
of the peace in and for the County
and state aforesaid
in a certain cause now depending in the Circuit
Court
of the
is
Defendant,
and sworn and examined on
the part of the Defendant
and
Question by Defendant do your know the plaintiff
and how long have you
known him
Answer. I know him well he was
of
my father I have known him from my
infancy near twenty eight years.
question by same where did he
with whom during the
years
&
Answer. He resided the principal part of his time
at my Fathers in
some parts at the
question same do you know of your father
Taking him to Ill to hire
him
Answer: I do not believe he ever did at any time
and further
this Deponant
I
of the peace in and for
the county aforesaid
do hereby certify that Ambrose G. Gordon
was by me sworn to testify the whole
truth of his
knowledge touching the matter in
controversy in the cause aforesaid
that
was examined and his
examination
writing and
subscribed by said deponent in my
presence on the
year eighteen
hundred and thirty one
hours of eight in the
forenoon and six in the afternoon
at the court house in the
Given
and certified the
also the deposition of
at the same time and place
in the caption
mentioned being of lawfull age
sworn and examined
on the part of the
deft.
question by Deft
how long have you known
the plaintiff
live
Answer I
he was
born and that he lived in
shortly after
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my
did you on not live near your
brother John in the years
16 17 18 & 19 & did
hire
years to your knowledge
ans.
I lived in five miles a
John in
knew of his being hired by
Question by same if
had hired
would have known
ans. I believe if
John had
hired him there I
known it I heard
say in his lifetime the
&
own
& further this
deponent sayeth
not
I
and for the county and state
aforesaid, do
hereby
was by me sworn to testify the whole truth of
his
Knowledge touching the matter in
in the cause
aforesaid that deponent
was examined and his examination
to writing and subscribed by said deponent
in my presence on the
in the year eighteen hundred
and thirty one
between the hours of eight in the
forenoon
and six of the afternoon at the court house
in the county
of
given and
certified the
1831
also the Deposition
taken at the time
& place
to
of lawful age & first duly
& examined on the part
of deft
Question by
John
you in
long
did he live near
ans. he lived about one mile from
me when he left
I was
years
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Question by same
what was his general
character in
the
where he lived
character in the
as I believe
Question by same from his General
character in the neighbourhood
would place confidence in him
on Oath
in
him in any respect
Question by same who did he
marry
by same when did
Question by same did
his family with him
when he
left
at
there even since
wife a woman of good character
in the neighbourhood
&
further this deponant sayeth
not
.
I
peace in and for the county and
state aforesaid
do hereby certify that
by me sworn to testify the whole truth of his knowledge
touching the matter in controversy in the
that
deponent was examined and his examination
reduced to writing and
subscribed by said deponent
in my presence on the
year eighteen hundred
and thirty one
of eight in the forenoon
and ix in the afternoon at
the court houe in the county and state
aforesaid
also the Deposition of
the same time and place
in the caption mention-
ed being of lawful age sworn and examined
on
the part of the Defendant deposeth and sayeth
Question by dlft
how long have
been acquainted with
of
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of
he first came
to he county
Question by same did he or
not live with you same
time and
what was his general Moral
character in the
neighbourhood
he worked at the
carpenters
trade with me in the
racter was not good
in he neighbourhood
Question by same is or not
Oath in a Court of Justice from
your knowledge of
general character in the neighbourhood
whilest he lived in
Oath nor do I believe he is en
titled to
credit in a Court of Justice
& further this
not
I
in and for the county &
State aforesaid,
do hereby certify that
in the
was examined and his examination reduced
to writing and subscribed by said deponent
in my presence on the
in the year eighteen
hundred and thirty
one
and six in the afternoon at the Court
houe in the county
of
also the Deposition of
in the
the
purpose aforesaid being of
lawful age &
Question by
you know
& what was his
general moral
Character in the neighbourhood
in
character
was not good
by same from your knowledge
of
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in the neighbourhood was he entitled
to credit on Oath in a Court
of Justice
myself in
Question by
same did or not
counterfeit
money & further
this deponent sayeth not
I
and for the county and
state aforesaid
do hereby certify that
the
deponent was by me sworn to testify
the whole truth of
matter in controversy in the cause aforesaid
that
deponent was examined and examination
reduced to writing and subscribed
by said
deponent in my
day of November eighteen Hundred
and
thirty one
the
fore noon and six in the afternoon at
the court house in
aforesaid
I
within
before
me at the
Roberton & Joseph
Roberton who
me sworn and examined
&
them respectively
their said
It is hereby certified that
on this
thousand eight
hundred and thirty one
a Justice of the Peace within and
for the county
of
and acting as such and that full
credit are due to his acts as such
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that on the
office
of
shall proved to take the Deposition of
vs
nature of Depositions
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the
hundred and thirty one
O
of the
of color, who
plaintiff -
on
his oath saith that
he saw
was at the same time
setting with
of
he understood from the conversation of
said
for wages for the past services
of
amount of one or two years services
or part
of two years but of the particular
length of time or the amount of the
he can not be positive
that
this affiant taught school in the neighbourhood
of &
boarded with said
said
Gordan told this affiant that
said
had worked at the
of
that he said
to
up to the time this affiant saw
said
as above stated
Questions by Plaintiffs attorney
Question 1st what
answer. I am induced to believe
the fact that he exercised all the acts
of
ownership common for
that country
& the common reputation
of the Country was that he was the
master
of said
Question 2nd
ever
after the times above
to the
you ever know him to exercise any acts
of owner ship over
answer I understood from the Defendant
that
by some
of which
nor did I ever in
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the
with the
defendant relative to the plaintiff
having been hired to work in
state
answer some time in
& so in the winter following I had some
conversation with the
Defendant in
which he made some statement about
his hands working
at
but I can
not state any thing in particular
more than that
among them
but how they got there
I can not say with certainty but think
that
he said one of his
had taken them to
the Defendant whether
was taken to
his
consent.
answer there was nothing said about
consent. I was in a kind of
conversation about his & my own
generally & I
saw nothing that
his
in the course of his affairs & my
was that he
had sent
other the name of
which I do not
at the place and within the hour
vs
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You are hereby commanded, to summon
Duncan-Sally
that setting
aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person
before the Judge
of our
and there to testify and the truth to say, in a certain matter of
controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein
vs
Executed this writ on
or
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You are hereby commanded, to summon
that setting aside
all manner of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person before
the Judge
of our
and
there to testify and the truth to say, in a certain matter of controversy
now pending in our said Court,
wherein
vs
Executed this writ on
1831
Bobb
county
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You are hereby commanded, to summon
that setting aside
all manner of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person before
the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
plaintiff
and
on the
part of the
Executed on
on the
vs
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You are hereby commanded, to summon
that setting aside
all manner of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person before
the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
plaintiff,
and
on the
part of the
Executed this writ on
same to
vs
for
forthwith
for
Plf
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You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all
manner of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person before
the
Judge of our
pending in our said Court, wherein
plaintiff and
on the
vs
Served this writ on
on the
of
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We command you to attach
by
body before the Judge of our
the county of
then
and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of
controversy, now pending in our
said
Executed this writ
vs
for
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Plaintiff comes & moves for
a new suit & files the
following reasons -
1 The
2
3
4 The court
5 The plaintiff has discovered
before the trial as
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The above named
since the trial of this
has
discovered
Mr.
this plaintiff in this cause that said
while he was held as the
of one
hired by said
the
years & from
after said
affiant is fully
the above
is
informed &
he
But
this
nor did he know that
said
untill this
he
says he
time of the
there are
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few days before
the trial of said cause he
was informed by
the Plaintiff that
&
filed in said cause which
the credit of
this
said
in this neighbourhood who had been acquainted
with this
affiant in
would prove that this
character of a man of
says that
this affiant was
summoned as a witness
to
of said Defendant which
this
the trial of said cause had concluded his
testimony
in chief & after Defendant had
concluded his testimony said
& which
of this
no question &
in
& those where Depositions were read
to
This affiant says that on friday
& after said cause had been
the
with
said Hart in relation to said
was hired by his then
master
to
years that he Hart frequently saw said
& that he saw him this labouring
thinks as early as the year
further said that he was not
aware when
the
vs
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Be it remembered that
on the trial of the cause the following is
the
evidence & all of the
the
parties aforesaid. The Depositions &
the following are
on the
part of the plaintiff “here insert the
of
out the
The following the
Plaintiff testified as follows-
testified that his was acquanted with the
hand writing of the Defendant
had seen him
write & behind that the signature of
of
the
Defendant-
about
the defendant acted as the
agent of the
Defendant in causing the Plaintiff to be arrested
as
a runaway slave.
he brought a suit before
Justice of the peace
against the Defendant
on a note
cause the Defendant set up as a
Defense
said suit that said note was given
without consideration
&
that said
procure the
which said
him an account
of said Services to present
which
That on the trial of said cause he caused
said
as witnesses for the
plaintiff & they both
on being asked if they were not
oath that they were
in
not tell which & he seen the plaintiff
Laboring at the
plaintiff was taken there by
under the management &
control of
Defendant that he know said plaintiff
to be thus
laboring there
& when
he left said
at work
there.
John Steel testified that either in the fall of
was at the saline in the
Shawnee Town where he first saw the Plaintiff
& his then master
that said
a settlement for the hire of said Plaintiff
at said
that said
saline a year on a part of two years
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previous to that time & that this settlement
was for the hire of
said
time aforesaid he further tesified that
immediately after this settlement he went to
hood of said
the family of said
which he in the family of said Gardan
he heard said
been in the habit of hiring said
work at
said saline occasionally from
or
he
understood it was the practice of said
to said
after gathering to work at said
saline
untill about Christmas when said
was ordered back to
examination said
that he could not be certain as to the time when
said
settlement took place between said
& said
witness in this case on a former trial &
then
stated
he was then of the impression as he now is
that said
settlement took place in the
fall of
that took place in
a Justice of the peace which would show the
Steel
between said Steel & the
school he taught in
1819
& the Subscribers to his school on
he
had spoken of & he was now
that the settlement he
had spoken of between
said
articles of agreement.
of said
up in
witness
time with said
about
twenty one years old - that since his
slave of
in the
labor at the
that he recollects when he was about
years old of hearing said
said
said
said
he was hired there from the
statements
or John Gardon on the cross examination said
asked if the Plaintiff or any other person
had
testimony in this cause
the witness
no - The above
Depositions of
taken one of them in
the
the Deposition of
same
state
of
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taken in
The Depositions of which the following are
were then read in
the Defendant /here insert the Depositions
of
William Gordon
Captions &
certificates-/- the Depositions
on the part of the plaintiff were all
taken
in
of July 1830
&
day of November 1831
The following
acquainted with said witness
he
him a man of good character
that said
Steel when he know him
respectable people & he never heard any
thing
man of truth he further stated that
he
knew
&
against the character of
or
man of good character
in
acquanted with said & John Steel &
where
he knew said Lawson &
&
thing
of truth that he known but little about
the character of
Saw at horse races & his
character was not good but he could not say what his character
for
truth was
acquanted with said Steel for Several years
that said Steel soon after
his
with him was employed
by
in his
thing
Steel & so far as he
him his
character was fair
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The evidence being closed the Defendants
counsel asked the court to give
the Jury
the following instructions “ here copy
the
instructions ” while instructed were
given as asked for the
argument to
the say it was insisted by the plaintiff that
The Plaintiff then
moved the court to
of
regard the question of
was admitted into the union by the restric
tion of congress: which
referred to
give to which opinion is referring
said instruction the plaintiff
excepts
the courts charging the
declared the
of
govern from the time that the
said-
constitution was passed by the constitution
which formed it
for a new
trial for the reasons & affidavits
filed of which the following
are copies here copy reasons affidavits
the court overruled the motion for a new
trial of to the
decision of the court in
refusing to grant the new trial the
plaintiff
signed
sealed of made part of the Record
vs
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on his oath
says he has a prayed an appeal from
the Judgement of said Court in this
cause
to the
for said
appeal is not made for the
purpose of
this
is prayed
vs
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We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command you that you cause
to come
before you such person or persons a shall be named to you by
or by
his,
her or their corporal oath (to be by you administered) touching their
knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain matter
of
controversy, now pending in our
plaintiff and
defendant on the part of the
you as aforesaid
into writing, you are required to send the same, together with this
commission, enclosed under your seal, to our
said
Directions for taking Depositions
place mentioned in the notice. Notice is given
that
the plaintiff will take Depositions at the Court house
in
1833
6 o clock in the afternoon of that day
& that he
between the same hour of
each day at that place
untill he shall have completed taking said
Depositions
the Depositions must be reduced to
by
them & the magistrate must
Deposition on
at what place
must be
touching the matters in
aforesaid at the
reduced to
in
behalf
the
of the clerk of the
Court where the Justices
to record
of
taking the Depositions duly
such and that full
faith &
to
knowledge touching
the matter in
parties
should attach this
& on the
the
heading & certifying
by our
Depositions of
day herein after
mentioned at the
between the hours of eight O clock in the forenoon & six O clock
in the afternoon of
in the town of
the County
aforeaid in a certain cause
in the
plaintiff &
part
of the plaintiff
``subcribed
``day
``which first aforesaid
at the end of all the Deposition taken in the cause a certificate
should
in added in the following form.
I A B a Justice of the
``Kentucky do hereby certify that (N. O.
``
``touching the matters in controversy between the
``they
``
``between the hours & at
the place as
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Now at this day come again the parties aforesaid by their respective
attorneys and the court now here being sufficiently advised of and
concerning
the premises consider that the Judgment aforesaid in form
aforesaid by the said
ordered by the court, that this cause be
remanded to the said
further proceedings therein in
conformity with the opinion of this court delivered
in this case, and
it is further considered by the court that the said
recover against the said
by him about the prosecution of his appeal in this case
expended and that he
have thereof execution
and Judgment being given against him in that
court he comes here to reverse
that Judgment. On the trial of the cause
it was testified by John Steel that
he had heard
or 19
that he had been in the habit of hiring
the
aforesaid. Witnesses were called to impeach
Steeles character for veracity,
others were called to support it; and
of the defendant himself by his
testimony seemed to support that of
brother
brother
answered that he lived in five
miles of John in those years, he never knew
of his (
make the matter more
certain was asked, whether if
was ``I believe
if
`heard
``to the
to prohibit the
introduction of slaves into the Territory of which the present
a part, and the master who permits his slave to go
there to hire himself
offends against that law as much as one who take
his slave along with
himself to reside there; and if we are at liberty
to regard the moral effect of
the act it is much worse to permit the
slave to go there to hire himself to
labor, than for the master to take
him along with himself to reside there
under his own inspection or to
hire him out personally to some person who
will be bound to pay the
master the hire; yet even this last act has been
decided to be a
violation of the provision of the ordinance -
say that
had spent much time in Gordons
family, had no knowledge that
was employed at the
testimony was given to prove a
hiring of the plaintiff at the
at the Lead mines near
since the defendant
became the owner, but his assent was not expressly
proved. This
testimony and some other not very material to be noticed
being given,
the counsel for the defendant moved the court to give six
instructions
the sum and purpose of which is as follows -
1st that the constitution of
it
2nd that the execution of a note by the defendant to the plaintiff as given
in evidence
in this case does not operate a manumission of the
plaintiff.
3rd that in order to intitle the plaintiff to recover in this suit it must be
proved
that the defendant assented to his residence in
were given - The plaintiff prayed the court to instruct
the Jury that the
Constitution of
assented
to the admission of that state into the union and not before that
time
- this was refused the plaintiff then prayed a new trial which was refused
-
This court is of opinion that the instruction asked by the plaintiff should
have
been given, and that the first instruction asked by the defendant
should have been
refused - We have no doubt that for the purposes of
self government the Consti-
tution of
but for the purpose of the present
cause we incline to limit its effect to the time
when congress assented
to the admission of the State into the Union - It
cannot be said that
the 2nd and 3rd instructions asked by the defendant
improperly
given, But the evidence that the defendant gave his not to the
plaintiff
is certainly admisible to prove that the defendant treated
with him as with a
freeman. -
former claimant or of
in
inferred from
circumstances. - The motion for a new trial was in the opinion of
this
court improperly overruled. - Then for the reason that the first
instruction
asked by the defendant was in the opinion of this court
improperly given, and
that asked by the plaintiff improperly refused,
and because the plaintiffs motion
for a new trial was in the opinion of
this court improperly overruled (
as we think
evidence enough to entitle the plaintiff to a verdict) the Judgment
of
the
in conformity with this opinion -
I,
Judicial
District of the
is a true Copy of the Judgment rendered by said court in the
case of
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(a man of color) appellant and
said court in the year Eighteen Hundred
and thirty three
the said court
delivered in said cause at the same term therof as the same
now remain
in my office
In Testimony where of I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of the
said
of
of the
Day of June in the year of our Lord
One
thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three.
vs
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The plaintiff
will take notice
that the defendant
will come depositions of witness
& to be taken to he read on
his
in
on the
the morning six in the afternoon of that day,
Served this notice on G.A.Bird
by delivering him a copy of it in the
city of
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We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command you, that you cause
to come
before you such person or persons, as shall be named to you by
a man of color
their
his,
her or their corporal oath (to be by you administred) touching their
knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain matter
of
controversy, now pending in our circuit Court, for the county of
of color is
defendant, on the part of the
you as aforesaid,
into writing, you are required to send the same, together with this
commission, enclosed under your seal, to our
said circuit court, with
all convenient speed.
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Depositions of
at the
County of
Hopkin and
me,
for the county and State aforeaid in a certain
cause, now
depending in the Circuit Court of
the county of
of the Defendant
age being produced, sworn and examined
Question by the Deft Do you
by the
in the state of
nothing of my
own knowledge I heard
say he never hired him there;
with him there in the year
recollect where old
country the age of his son
at that time and your opinion of
the opportunity
of said
about this man
it was in the year of
I think young
years old at that time he was
the
boy but I think he could
but
a state Question by same
with John Steel formerly
of this county if
state his general character
and all you know
about him when he first came here and with
where
him, his general character with a
majority
of the people is bad, he first came to this
country with
John Came from the
her
that time I know not but I believe he never did
And further this
I
for the county of
do here by certify, that
deponent was
by me sworn to testify the whole
truth of his knowledge touching the
matter in
controversy in the cause aforeaid; that deponent
was
examined and his examination
and
subscribed by aid deponent in my presence
on the
hours of 8 o clock A. M. and 6 o clock P. M. at the
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I could not credit any thing he would
even on oath, the cost
account I had of
him he was editing a paper called the Free
question for same were you or not acquainted with the
negro boy
state and whether he was hired by
other person in the state of
whether he was or not and had the opportunity
that
things
Answer I was well acquainted with the
boy
the dates you mention I do not believe my
father
though he permitted
him to hire
himself there but at what time I cannot
state, The
father of
to this county from Union county
in
was not more than eight or nine years of age
and further this deponent
saith not
I
and for the county of
do hereby certify that
the deponent was by me sworn to
testify the
whole truth of his knowledge touching the
matter in controversy in the
case aforesaid that
Defendant was examined and his
to writing and subscribed by
said deponent
in my
between the hours
of 8 oclock AM and 6 oclock PM
at the court house in
county & state
aforesaid
Also the Deposition of
taken at the same time
and place named in
the caption to be read as evidence in the same
cause, this deponent being of lawful age
and first duly sworn and
examined on behalf
of the Defendant deposes and saith,
question for Defendant were you or not
with a negro man
called
by
whether or not he was hired by said
in the state of
or 18. Ans I was a
near
(we lived about half
him there at any time I was with
the
hired him there I should have known
it.
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given & certified the
Also the Deposition of
same time and place
mentioned in the caption
to the read as
being of lawful age and being duly sworn
and examined on the part of
the Deft deposes and sayeth
so state all you know about him
whether his
general character be good or bad. Answer
I
character and so believed to be by a majority
of all I have heard speak of him he
the daughter of Mr.
whom I esteem as a very fine
trifled about him for some time and went off
and
not credit him
where
a living
here as preaching but could not succeed
there he tried the plan of
horse racing and upon
that quit the county. And further this
deponent
sayeth not.
in and for the county of
state of
the whole truth of his knowledge touching
the matter in
controversy in the cause aforesaid
that Deponent was examined and his
examination
reduced to writing and subscribed by said deponent
in
my
between the hours of 8 Oclock A. M.
and 6 Oclock A. M.
at the court house in
& state aforesaid
Also the Deposition of
at the
time & place mentioned in the caption to
be read a evidence in
the Same Cause this deponant
being of lawful age and first
sworn and examined on behalf of the Defendant,
deposes and sayeth,
Question by Defendant were you
with John Steel
formerly of
has a family or not
whether he could be
upon when on
Ans I knew Mr. Steel he married the daughter
of
Maj
children she
and her children are at her fathers
in this county.
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I
the
county of
hereby certify that
was by me sworn
to testify the whole truth
of his knowledge touching the matter in
in the case aforesaid
that Deponent
was examined and his examination in reduced
to
writing and subscribed by said deponent
in my presence on the
between the hours of 8
o'clcok AM and 6 o'clock
PM. at the
I
for the county
certify that in
and notice, came before at
the court house in
in the
&
and examined and such examination reduced
to writing and
subscribed by them respectively
in my presence and their depositions
are
here with
of
It is hereby certified that
on the
of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred & thirty
three
duly
as such in
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We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and
circumspection, do require and command you that you cause
to come
before you such person or persons, as shall be named to you by
his, her or their corporal oath (to be by
you administered) touching their knowledge of any thing that may relate to a
certain matter
of controversy, now pending in our
is
defendant on the part of the
you as aforesaid into writing, you are required
to send the same, together with this commission,
enclosed under your
seal, to our
said
To the above named Defendant
attorney of
be said in evidence in the above cause
at the court house
in the town of Equality county of
the
in the town of
eight day of November
o clock A.M. and six o clock P.M. of each of said days and
I
shall continue taking Depositions at each place from day to
say
(sundays excepted) between the same hours on
until I
shall take as many as I deem necessary
Executed this Notice by delivering a true copy of it to a
free white
female, member of the family of
of Record for Defendant, over the age of fifteen years, at
his
place of residence in the city of
1833.
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Deposition of witness
and examined at
the court house
in the town of
county of
a justice of the peace within
& for
said state & county in a certain cause
now
depending in the circuit court
of saint louis county & state of
missouri
between
plaintiff
&
on the
between the hours of 8 o'clock
A.M. & 6 o'clock
P.M. of said day on the part
of the
plaintiff.
produced, sworn and examined on the
part of the plaintiff deposith and
Do you know John
character: Answer: several years age when
at present I am not acquainted
with his general Character
character as a man of truth would
you
have believed him when on oath in a court
of justice.
answer as I have before stated I am not
very well acquainted
character I never heard his credibility on oath
while I
certify, that
sworn to testify the whole truth of his
knowledge
touching the matter in controversy in the cause
aforesaid; that deponent was examined, and
his examination reduced to
writing, and subscribed
by said deponent, in my presence on
the
hundred and thirty three
8 o'clock in
the forenoon and 6 o'clock of the
afternoon of said day, at the court
house in
the town of
and state
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To the above named Defendant
Sir I shall proceed to take
in
house in the town of Equality
state of
instant & at the Court house in the town
the hours of eight Oclock A.M and six oclock
P.M. of each
of
continue taking Depositions at each place
from
day to day (sundays,
the same
hours
take as many as I
vs
notice of taking
Depositions
free white female
member of the family of
attorney of Record for defendant
over the age of fifteen years at his place of residence
in the city of
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Depositions of
examined, at the Court house in the town of
Equality, in
the
a Justice of the peace within & for said state & county
in
a certain
between
of November
day, on the part of the plaintiff.
in and for the County of
hereby
certify that
was by me
touching the matter in Controversy in the cause
aforesaid
ination reduced to writing and
said deponent, in my presence on the
of November in the year eighteen hundred and
thirty three
in the
forenoon, and six O'clock in the afternoon,
at the Court house in
the tour of Equality
in the County of
given and certified, the
sworn and examined, on the part of the plaintiff,
deposith and
with
That
as the year
times from
the year
frequently, within the same
years, came over
to the saline
and got salt and money for
work, that
this was the general understanding of
all the
Steel and if so what is his general
character ?
Answer I do and have ever thought him
an honest and
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I asked him for the truth I feel sure I
should get it.
In 2nd From your knowledge of his general
Character would you belive him
or oath in
a court of justice.
Answer: I would as soon as any man I know.
I
within and for the
the deponent, was by
me sworn to testify the whole
truth of his knowledge touching the
matter in
controversy in the cause aforesaid; that deponent
was
examined and his examination reduced to
writing, and subscribed by said
deponent, in
my presence on the
the year eighteen hundred and thirty three
the hours of 8 o' clock in the forenoon and 6 o'
clock in
the afternoon, at the Court hour
in town of Equality in the county of
and state of
It is hereby Certified, that
the
hundred and thirty three
justice of the peace within and for the
and
acting as such, and that full faith and
Cerdit are due to his acts as
such.
In testimony whereof I
Clerk of the County
Court of
& state of
my, name, and affixed the seal of office, this
thirty three
vs
for plff
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Depositions of witness produced sworn and examined, at the Court house in the
town of
in the
before me E.W.R.Wolfolk a Justice of the peace
within
and for said State and County, in a
certain cause, now depending in the
of
days of November A.D.
1833
8 O'clock A.M. 6 O'clock P.M. of
each of said
day on the part of the Plaintiff.
sworn and examined, on the part of the
plaintiff deposeth and sayeth that he
the parties to this suit, that he
knew
the plaintiff
as this
deponent
understood sold or
plaintiff
to
only
by report.
Question 1st, on the past of the Plaintiff
Do you know whether or not
if so state what you know touching such
or permission?
Answer: I have no knowledge of the matter
Question 2nd on the part of the plaintiff.
Do you know whether or not
ever hired or
to labor in the state of
Answer: I do not
Question 3rd on the part of the Plaintiff.
Have you ever been acquainted
with John
Steel who married a Daughter
of this County?
Answer I have
Question 4th on the part of the Plaintiff.
How long have you been
acquainted with him?
Answer: About twelve or thirteen years
Question 5th on the part of the Plaintiff
How you had an opportunity of
becoming
acquainted with his
your knowledge of his
would believe him when on
of
justice?
Answer: When John Steel first came in
my neighbourhood he
english school near my house during which
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time I became well acquainted with him as
he was often at my house and I
never know
any thing against him, but always thought
him to be a
and I believe he
settlement and should think his Oath
good in a Court of Justice and
should
believe him myself
Question 6th On the part of the Plaintiff
Have you any
and if so please state what it is.
Answer: I am now and have been
a Baptist preacher for thirty one
years
I, E.W.R Woolfolk a Justice of the peace do hereby
certify, that
by me sworn do testify the whole truth of
his knowledge touching the matter in controversy
in the cause
aforesaid; that the deponent
was examined and his examination
reduced
to writing and subscribed by said deponent
in my presence
on the
in the year
eighteen hundred and thirty three
between the hours of eight
O'clock in the
forenoon and six O'clock of the afternoon
at the
court house in the town of
the county of
sworn and certified the
1833.
and examined, on the part of the Plaintiff deposeth,
and
sayeth, that he is acquainted with the
parties to this suit; that when
he first knew the
Plaintiff
as deponent believes to one Issac
who sold him
to
him to
whom
County to
parts unknown to this deponent only
by report.
Question 1st on the part of the Plaintiff
If you have ever known or
heard of
the Plaintiff having been hired or permitted to
labor in the State or Territory of
what time and by
whom he was so hired or
Answer: I have frequently heard of the
Plaintiff
the Saline
Gordan and I think at as early a time as
was taken out of this county
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Question 6th on the part of the Plaintiff.
Do you know where said State
is now and whither
he has now or ever has had any
with
his family since he left this County or whether
he ever intends to take
any care of his family or
not
Answer : I have frequently heard from
his family that they received
letters from him
during his absence and received one from
him my
self through his family. He is now
in this County and as I was informed
is now
preparing to remove with his family to the
Territory of
he
established
Helena
Herold
Question 7th on the part of the Plaintiff
How far did you live from
Steel and his family?
Answer About one mile & 3/4
Question 8th on the part of the Plaintiff
cause of said Steels leaving this County.
Answer: I was imformed by him that
the losses be sustained by the
sinking of his
Boats were more than he was able to
and therefore left his family with his fatherinlaw
Question 2nd, on the part of the Plaintiff
Do you know John Steel who
married a
Daughter of Maj.
Answer: I Do.
Question 3rd on the part of the Plaintiff
Are you acquainted with his
as a man of
truth?
Answer: I have
several years & know nothing against him as a
Question 4th On the part of the Plaintiff
From your knowledge of his
as a man of truth
whould you believe him or
not when an oath in a court of Justice?
Answer: From what I know of his
Character i always took
him to be a man of
truth and entitled to credit & when on
oath
I should believe him in a court of Justice.
Question 5th on the part of Plaintiff
Do you know whether or not he has
been absent
from this county for some years?
Answer: He has some 4 or 5 years
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sworn and examined, on the
part of the
plaintiff and
Do you know John
character as a man of truth and if so
would you believe him on oath in
a
court of justice
answer
one John Steel
when he
which was
sworn in a court of justice but
of his residence in this county I should
oath in a court
of
hereby certify, that
by me sworn to testify the whole truth of his
knowledge touching the matter in controversy
in the cause aforesaid;
that Deponent was
examined, and his examination reduced to
writing, and subscribed by said Deponent
November, in the year eighteen
hundred
and thirty three
8
o'clock in the forenoon and 6 o'clock
of the afternoon at the court
house in
the town of
and for the county of
of
the
before me
at the court house in the
county and state last aforesaid
and examined and such
examination
reduced to writing and subscribed by
them respectively
in my presence and their
said Depositions are now herewith returned
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It is hereby certified that
on the
the year eighteen hundred and
thirty three
was and now is an acting justice of
the
peace within and for the county of
and acting as such and
that
full faith and credit are due to his
acts as such
In testimony whereof I
of
have
and affixed the seal of office this
hundred
and thirty three.
vs
for plaintiff
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Question 4th on the part of the Plaintiff
Do you know whether or not
there was
any understanding or institution that any
of your
Company of which you have
spoken that went to
particularly with
a man of color were to go on the
flat Boat to New
other part of
the lower Country
Answer There was no such understanding
that I know of and I believe
that it was the understanding of
all parties that we the above
named
five persons were going to
I, E.W.R.Woolfolk a
hereby
certify that George Finley the Deponent was by
me sworn to testify the
whole truth of his knowledge
touching the matter in controversy in the
cause aforesaid
that Deponent was examined and his examination
reduced to writing subscribed by said
Deponent in my presence on the
of November in the year eighteen
hundred and
thirty three
afternoon at the court house in
the town of
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the this river until we could get our
a
Steam Boat that would take us up
Missipippi - the flat boat
got very far and we all
walked to where
Steam
Boat that took us on to
got on another boat that
took us on
to
the negros
care of
July
Ralph
& Joseph at work at the
mines.
Question 1st on the part of the plaintiff. Who claimed
Question 2nd an the part of the plaintiff
Do you know whether
knew that
Answer: He did
Question 3rd, on the part of the plaintiff.
Do you know
any
objection to Ralph's going to
mines in
Answer: I never heard him
to
at different times when on visits to see his
family
I, E. W. R.
Certify that
me sworn
to testify the whole truth of his knowledge
touching the matter in
Controversy in the
Cause aforesaid; that the Deponent was examined
and his examination reduced to writing and
subcribed by said Deponent
in my
and thirty three
the forenoon and 6 o'clock of the afternoon
at the court house
in the town of
in the
given and
certified the
George
sworn and examined on the part of the Plaintiff
deposeth
and sayeth in the spring of
myself,
the plaintiff and
all
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You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner
of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person
before the
Judge of our
the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court,
wherein
part
of the Plaintiff; and have you then there this writ,
vs
Executed this writ on John Steel by Reading it
to him 6th on
in the county of
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You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay,
he be and appear in proper person
before the Judge of our
the truth to say in a certain matter of
controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein
part
of the
vs
Executed this writ on
in the city of
day of January 1834
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You are hereby commanded to summon
that setting aside
all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in proper person
before the Judge of our
at the
the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court,
wherein
part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.
Executed this writ on
in the city of
day of January 1831
vs
for plff
forth
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The defendant moves the Court to grant
him a
1 The
2 against law
3 against the instruction of the court
4 The court
in
vs
C.
motion for new trial
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& Coleman
Battery & false imprisonment for than hereto
to
of Christ
eighteen hundred & thirty
& arms made an
& there
then & there with force & arms
falsely &
him in prison there
on cause for a long span
of time to
And said plaintiff further says
than before & at
the time of the committing of the said
several
said Defendant held & detained &
still hold &
detain him
says he is
to five hundred dollars
therefore he
vs
Coleman
This is an action for
freedom in the
Damage is
$ 500 the
Clerk will plead
Summons
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vs
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On Demand I promise to pay
received
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Ralph vs
Instructions
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1. That the constitution of
from the time it was
passed
other date is founded
in the
given
2. That althought the plaintiff may have resided in
the state of
in the territory of
not of
that such residence in
given
3. That the execution of the note by the defendant
to the plaintiff as
given in evidence in this case does
not operate a
given
4. The
operation of the
constitution of
the subject
of slavery.
given
the plaintiff
of his master, with no view to residence
there
and without staying there long enough to
acquire the
character of a resident, can
operate the emancipation of the
plaintiff.
not given
6. That no residence of
or
the territory of
the plaintiff unless it is
proved to their satis
faction
such residence
given
7. That the plaintiff having been
in the territory or state
of
of
to his being there, but such
consent must
be proved
given
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a
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all the
that, to his
by
The reasons
1 Our
of the committing the
maintain this
fully
not
1
from
the
claimed plaintiff as a
as his
him
defended this
is
spread upon the
by
an the
The
in this state
are
contrary appears. he
as his slave, of such Black has not
record
to be a slave & if he is claimed as such is
all the
and
Because the
``
petitioner in
slave
2 the
time of the commencement of the
had the plaintiff by the
If this
is
a
Because
in a thing can have
thing -
therefore if a wrongfully
the
to
a
you are not so in
maintain
your
if your
&
according to the Statute
are unable to
required in the Declaration
vs a farm for
must
in the declaration
of complaint
& the Defendants claim and
that defendant
the
to make it
the Statute
shall
that the
shall
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In actions of
as he
Immaterial /
subject of
of
On the
&
vs
an
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1. That
the plaintiff was held in slavery
of his
the commencement of this writ
the
plaintiff
given
2. That if the jury shall be of opinion that the
plaintiff is
they also find that he has been
held in
given
3.
cause, that the defendant
did
state the plaintiff cannot recover in this action
--
refused
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That it is not necessary for the plff in this case to prove that the
defendant
to recover in this
action
That if any other person than
as a
holding him for said
may maintain this action against
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1. If the
and then hired or permitted the plaintiff
to hire
to the
2. That the statements made by
said
3. That If the
that
of the defendant he has
&
to find a
4. That If the
that at any time since plaintiff has been
entitled to his freedom the
Defendant has held
said plaintiff as a slave
any other
plaintiff
amounts to nothing
declaration that
all
shall be
5. That it is not
the
plaintiff should
Dec 1818
as a slave gave his
being hired to labor in the state of
but such
produce the last evidence the nature of his
case
admits of and such as it is in his power to
produce
6. That If
plaintiff is
before the
slavery the
the plaintiff
Damages to at
as plaintiff's
has
held plaintiff as a slave
him to be
for the
refused
7 That
in
and
the answer to
the
proper question on such point is what is the
general character of the
witness for truth and
general character to
the witness is
vs
Instructions asked
for by Plff