Clerks fee
court on

filed September 10th 1817

Executed this summons,
on RH Price, by
Reading it to him,
in the Town, of St
Louis Sept. 12th 1817

No 18 Superior court northern circuit
March Term 1818

for freedom
damages $1000

R. H Price-Sammuel-

To the clerk let a, summons issue,

This is an action of trespass, assault
battery, false imprisonment
by petitioner for the recovery of her
freedom-

Territory of Missouri
Saint Louis county

In the Superior Court of the
Missouri territory, setting for the northern circuit
of the march term one thousand eight hundred & eighteen
to wit, a free Black woman by
her attorney appointed by the said court,
complains of H Price of a plea of trespass,
with force and arms, For that the said
H Price on the twenty fifth day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and seventeen at the town of St Louis in,
Louis County and within the jurisdiction of
this court with force and arms & made an
assault on the said Tempe and then and there
beat wounded and ill treated the law Tempe
whereof the said tempe was in great dan-
ger of lodging her life. And also for that the
said Risden H , Price afterwards on the same day
and year aforesaid, at St Louis in the county afore-
said with force and arms made another
assault on the said Tempe and then and there
again beat wounded imprisoned and illtreated
the said Tempe and her she said Tempe put in
prison without any reasonable cause, against the
will, of the said Tempe and against the Laws
of the united states and this territory for a long
time to wit, till the present time detained, and kept,
and still detains and keeps the said Tempe in
prison, and other wrongs to the said Tempe
then and there did against the peace of the
United States and this territory and to the dam-
age of the said Tempe one thousand dollars
and therefore she brings, her suit,

for plaintiff

Territory of Missouri
northern circuit

We command for that you summon Risden , H Price that he be
be and appear before the judges of our superior court of our territory of missouri
superior court to be held in and for the northern circuit afou-
at the town of St Louis
next then and there is our said court before our Judges forthwith, to
answer, unto Tempe Black woman who has for her freedom in a
certain action of trespass, assault battery, and false imprisonment
to her damage one thousand dollars-

Witness the honerable Alexander Stuart ,
Esquire, presiding judge, of our said court at St
Louis thirteenth day of september in the year
of our lord one thousand eight hundred and
seventeen and of our independence the forty

I do hereby certify that Labon a Negro man
and Tempy his wife a Negro woman; who
had bound themselves as servents for a certain term
of years, to Simon Vanosdol of St Clair County
and Illinois Territory, and their time of service
not yet expired but still among labour to
the said Vanosdol, the said Labon and Tempy
his wife; on the 11th day of February 1817-personally
appeared before me William Biggs one of the
Judges of the County Court for St Clair County
and Illinois territory and they both agreed and
consented to serve the Residue of their time of
servitude, with Risdon H Price Marchant
in St Louis and of Missouri Territory-

Given under my hand and
seal the day and date above written

A Certificate in
fav, of Risdon H . Price,
Recorded in slave book,
A page 5th June 18,
1817

June 1817

fee, 50 fees paid by one

Northern circuit Aug term 1818.

and the said Risdon H Price, by his atto, comes
and defends the wrong and injury when and says,
that he is not guilty of the said, supposed trespass,
above to his charge, or any part thereof; in manner,
and form on the said Tempe hath above thereof
complained against him and of this he the
said, Risdon H . puts himelf upon the county
and the plaintiff also

, atty.

Price ads, Laban & Tempe plea not guilty

filed,Sep. 11. 1818.-

Territory Of Missouri
Northern Circuit,ss.
The United States of America to Nathan ,
Mills,, Alexander Nash , of Anthony Badgely , Greeting

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court-
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
on the twenty third day of Septembernext being the fourth day
of the september term of our said court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Tempe , a Black woman is
plaintiff and Risdon H . Price is
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof-and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this thirteenth day of
August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth

Served, this writ on Anthony J Badgly,
by reading it to him in the town of
St Louis 10th september 1819

J. K. Walker

Served, this writ, on Nathan Mills in the Town
of st Louis September 14th 1819
Alexander Nash , not found in my county
20th septs 1829.

2661.10

circuit
september Term 1819

23 september

Nathan Mills Alex Nash, Anthony Badgely ,Nash Illinous State,

Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit,ss.

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
forthwith
testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Tempe , a Blackwoman, is
plaintiff and Risdon H Price,
defendant on the part of the said defendant,
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave there of-and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of st louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this thirteenth day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth

Superior , court northern circuit
september term, 1879

forthwith,

Executed in the
town, of St. Louis
on the 30th Sept 1819
reading it to

Los. C

33336

Northern Circuit.ss.

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of,
you personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis , on the twenty third
day of being the fourth day of the September term of our said court,
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Tempe ,
a Blackwoman, who has, for her freedom, plaintiff and Risdon ,
H Price, is defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof-and
of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis , is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this thirteeth day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth,

Sup, court N C,
Sept term 1829

23

J Barton

Served this writ on Josh,
ua, Barton in the town
of St Louis by reading it,
to him 15th september
1819.

& On H. S. Peyer,20th
september 1819 in the
town of St. Louis

66672

Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit,ss.

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of
you personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
on the twenty fifth day of April next being the second day
of the April term of our said court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Tempe a free woman,
is plaintiff and Risden H Price,
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof-and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of st. Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty seventh day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty and of our independence the forty fourth

court
April Term 1820

26th april

Daniel P, Sullivan
Payer J Barton

Served this writ on J , Barton in the town of St Louis
13th Apr 1820 of on H J Payer, in S Louis
17th Apr 1820. Daniel, P. Sullivan not found

66506$1.22

Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit.ss.
The United States of America to
and
Greeting.

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each, of you,
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis , on the twenty fifth
day of Aprilnext being the second day of the April term of our said court,
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Labon ,
a free man, of color is, plaintiff and Risdon ,
H Price is, defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof-and of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St. Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty seventh day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty and of our independence the forty fourth

Executed this writ on an Alexis Amelin in
st Louis 3rd Apr 1820 and on Nathan Mills,
24th Apr 1820 Not served an

266Est506

Superior , court N, C.
April Term 1810

26th april

+++ Nathan Mills

Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit,ss.
The United States of America to William
Smith and Greeting

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each,
of you, personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
on the twenty fifth day of aprilnext being the second day
of the april term of our said court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Tempe , a free woman,
plaintiff and Risdon H Price,
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof-and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty seventh day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty and of our independence the forty fourth

Served this writ on Abraham Kusi in the Town
of St Louis 15th Apr 1820 William Smith
not found in any county.

N. u Gerk D.

servicects65089 ets

Superior court N C
april Term 1820

25th april
x William Smith x Abraham Kusi,

State of Missouri
Third Judicial, District

Be it, Remembered that to the provisions, in
the twenty third section, of of the of the state of missouri
entitled regulating, the proceedings of the supreme court
clerk of the superior court, of the territory of missouri for the northern
circuit, have made and herewith certify, a complete of the minutes and,
proceedings had in a certain cause, pending in the said superior court Between
Tempe , a free black, woman who sues, for her freedom and Risden H Price,
in the words, and figures following to wit,-

August Term 1817 September 10th,

On Reading and filing the petition of Tempe a free black, woman held
in slavery, by Risden , H Price,, together with the affidavit of Anthony
and on the court direct that an,
action of trespass assault, & Battery &, false imprisonment be initiated, against
the said Risden H , Price in the name of said Tempe , and and that the defendant
do permit the said tempe to have reasonable, liberty, of attending her
counsel, and that she shall not be taken or removed, out of the jurisdiction,
of the court or, be subjected, to any severity because, of her application for,
freedom the court assigns, as counsel for
the petitioner-

April Term 1820
May 6th

a motion, of attorney for the said petitioner and it appeasing,
by the return, of the sheriff to a certain of to
a on the grant of the said petition, the said

was duly sub poenaed, - and the said being, solemnly served,
and not appearing the court award an attachment against the said
, the returnable, on thursday the Eleventh
which said together with all the other papers belon
ging to the said are herewith sent to the clerk of the circuit
court of the county of St. Louis -

In Territory whereof I have, hereunto setting here,
and affixed, the seal of the said superior court at, at
St louis this,twentieth day of march 1821.

$21.456220certificate 80$22.77

$21.45

State Of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.To the Sheriff of St. Louis county—Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Anthony Badgely ,, Nathan Mills
Alexis Blondeau Joseph Cornelius , & William Smith
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our circuit
court on the tenth day of May at the town of St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein Tempe (a,
black woman) is, plaintiff,
and Risden H Price defendant on the part of
the plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 26th day of April in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred twenty one of
Archibald Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Served this writ on

Alexis Blondeau,
in St Louis township,
by reading it to him
27th April on
Mills,28th Apr 1821
in St Louis township,
by his acknowledgement
served, on showing,
him this writ,.

Anthony S. Badgely
cornelius, &
William Smith not
found in my county
30th April 1821

Isaac , C. M Clerk,

2 summons,66 cts3non cnts1.50$2.16

A

10th May 1821
Anthony S. Badgely Nathan Mills Alexis , Blondeau Joseph Cornelius , William Smith for plaintiff,

Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit,ss.
The United States of America to
Joseph Cornelius , Greeting

You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court on the, 24th instant,
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
now in to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Tempe , is plaintiff
plaintiff and R H Price, is
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof--and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St. Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.

Witness the Honorable Silas Bent , Esquire presiding judge of our said court this 27th day of
April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twen and of our independence the forty 4th

Served this writ
by reading it
Joseph Cornelius ,
the 29th april 1820

John K. Walker

service, cnts

Suit for freedom
in St Louis Circuit Court

Tempe the above named plaintiff being sworn,
says, that the said Risdon H Price, (who now holds
her in slavery) has for a considerable time part
subjected her to very harsh, and cruel, treatment,
as she does verily, believe, on account of her present
suit for her freedom; that he has frequently abused
and beaten her, (and particularly on yesterday)
for no other cause that she knows of but her
present application for freedom; that he has refused
to supply her with clothing necessary, for comfort
and decency,, alleging as a reason that he expec,
ted soon, to lose, her - that her duties as a servant,
are, rendered much more hard than that of
the other servants in the family, and that she
is seldom spoken, to by Mr Price except, with
ill humor and abusive language.

Tempe & her mark,

sworn, to before me
in open court this 7th,
day, of may 1821

A Gamble , Clerk

State Of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct.To the Sheriff of St. Louis county-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to William Smith
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our circuit
court forthwith, at the town of St. Louis , then and there to testify
and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein Tempe (a,
free, woman) is plaintiff,
and Risden H Price, is defendant on the part of
the plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , the tenth day of May in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred twenty one
A Gamble , Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Served this writ
on William
Smith in St Louis
Township by
reading 10th
may 1821

Clerk

service,33travel639

St Louis Circuit Court
april Term 1821

Tempe a free woman
Risden H , & Price

for William Smith for plaintiff Forthwith,

State Of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct.To the Sheriff of St. Louis County-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Caty Swaggers,
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay she be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our
circuit court, forthwith at the town of St. Louis , then and
there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein
Tempe (a black woman) is plaintiff,
and Risdon H , Price is defendant on the part
of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 10th day May in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred twenty one
Arch Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Served this writ
on Caty Swaggers,
in St Louis Town
ship by reading 10th may 1821

service33travel639

Tempe (a black woman

Risdon H Price

for Caty Swaggersfor plaintiff forthwith

April term 1821.

claims his attendance fees as a
witness, under subpoena, in this cause,

15 days attendance $1 per day
amounting to fifteen Dollars

$15.

Sworn, to and subscribed,
before me this 13th
day of june 1821
of june,

A Gamble Clerk

Risdon H . Price
ads.
Tempe.

Bill of Exceptions.

We the jury find, the defendant
guilty, and on damage

Laban.
Tempe.
adv.
Price.

and Cut.

To be read in Sup. Court.

In the Circuit Court
April Term 1821.

Be it remembered that
on the trial of this cause
that one Joseph Cornelius brought, the plaintiff then a slave, from the state, of maryland
the plaintiff proved,
to the the territory (now state) of Illinois
and resided, in said, territory of Illinois with the plaintiff his
for several years upon, which she founded, her claim to free
dom by virtue, of an ordinance of the Con,-
gress, of the United States , in
the year one thousand eight hundred and
eighty seven. The defendant in order to es-
tablish his right to her services, read an
exemplification of a statute of the late Ter-
ritory of Indiana (of which the present state
of Illinois was then a part) enacted in
the year one thousand eight hundred and
seven, making it lawfull for the owners of
slaves in any of the slave-holding states,
to bring their slaves within the limits of
the said then territory of Indiana , and enter
into articles of agreement, or indentures, with
them before the clerk of a court of word,
by which the oneness should be entitled to the
services of the said negroes for the time
specified, in such agreement or indenture
the defendant then offered, in evidence an
indenture entered into between one simon
(of whom the defendant purchase
the services of the said plaintiff for a term
of years) and the plaintiff. But this
evidence, was rejected by the court, and the
defendant deprived of his defence under the above-mentioned statute and
entered into conformably on the grounds,
that a defence of this description was not

missible, in this action under the plea of
not guilty; & that if the defendant would
have availed, himself of such a defence ought
to have pleaded it- specifically,. The plaintiff
by her counsel moved the court to entreat,
the jury, that if they found from the evidence,
that the owner, of the plaintiff had brought
her from a slave holding state in to the
Northwestern, territory of which the state of
Illinois was a part an intention
to reside and did reside, within the said state keeping
the plaintiff in his services in said territory entitled,
the plaintiff to her freedom of which institution,
the court gave and the defendant by his counsel,
excepted to said opinions-

Suit for freedom
in St Louis Circuit Court

Laban , a free man of color, being duly
sworn, days that Tempe the above named plaintiff is
his wife, that she is now in the custody posses,
sion, of R H Price, the above named defendant
that this affiant has great reason to believe
and ours verily, believe that the said Risdon
H . Price is about to take and remove the
said Tempe without the jurisdiction of this
court, that is to say to in the County
of Washington . And this affiant further says
that the said Tempe is subjected to harsh severe,
treatment because of her suit for freedom against
the said Price, in this that she is almost constantly
and her best endeavors
to give satisfaction; that her as a
servant is increased, tendered much more constant
than that of any other servant in the family-and
that she is not furnished with clothing necessary,
for her bodily, comfort and common decency,
and further this affiant says not.

Labor his X mark, Sworn, to & subscribed,
before me this 14th april
1821
A. Gamble Clerk

Labon's, affidavit

in the case, of Labon ,ads. Price and the
adv. for
of Biggs is by
to be read are each trial.

Says that the him with
, on adv on the 11th February
1817, is true as written. That at the
same time he Laban   Tempe , that it was at
Price, and Price and he wants not have them
at all unless they would go with
him freely, willingly, and they said
they would go with him, they had
as out the of
time with him as with any
body. all the at
on the opposite side of the from
St. Louis at the date of the
in the

between & Price that
Price bought the man Labor and the
from
that the woman had ten or eleven,
years, to serve. and that within,
was for life awarding, to any
thing that he to
knows no thing of how they came
to the Illinois . made the
in of what he the
of Illinois . William
.

as