State of Missouri
County of St. Louis
ss
In the St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1842

William Henry , a of Color by his attorneys, and
by leave of the Court according to the statute in such case
made, complains of James G.Fraser of a plea of
trespas trespass for false imprisonment: for that whereas the said defendant heretofore to wit
on the first day of March in the year eighteen
hundred and forty two, with force and arms of
the County aforesaid made and assaultupon
him the said plaintiff and then and there beat, bruised
and ill treated him, and then and there imprisoned
him the said plaintiff and detained and kept
him in prison from that time until the present
against the will of the said plaintiff, and other
wrong to the said plaintiff then and there did
Contraryto law and against the peace of the
state. And the said plaintiff aversthat before and
on the time of the committing of the grie
vances aforesaid the said def plaintiff was and is
still is a free person, and that the said defendant
held and still holds the said plaintiff in slavery
wherefore the said plaintiff says that he has
been injured and hath sustained damage
in the sum thousand of five hundred dollars, and therefore
he brings his suit &c

Gamble & Walker
Atty for plff

James O Fraser at William Henry a person of color
ss. And now at this day comissioned said defendant
by his attorney & defend the force whom
&c that he is not guilty of the said sup
posed trespasses or either of them in manner &
form as said hath above thereof com
plained against him he first
upon the country &c

T. Polk P.D.

No 107 St Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1842

William Henry (a person of Color)
vs
James O. Fraser

Declaration in Trespass
for False imprisonment
& suit for freedom
$500

filed by consent
Gamble & Walker
Attysfor Pltf

. P. D.

Filed July 29 1842 Jn Ruland Clerk

Judgement of freedom December 21 1846.
17p 442