To the Hon. the Judge of the St Louis Circuit
Court .

The petition of Rebecca , a negro woman
aged about twenty two respectfully showeth to your
honor that she was born a slave in the state of
Missouri and hired in the family of her master one
Judge William James , until the marriage of Emily
the daughter of said James to one James Black, who
with his wife said Emily went to Vandalia in the
State of Illinois to reside and then took your
petitioner with them, and there kept and held your
petitioner as a slave to labor for several years
that after the death of said Emily wife of said
Black, your petitioner was hired out to one
William Douglass and lived with him at Kaskas-
kia also in the said state of Illinois , with whom
she resided for some time and performed labor and
service as a slave under the said hiring that after
wards she returned to the residence of the said Judge
William James at St Genevieve in the State of
Missouri , with whose family she remained about
a year, and was then taken from St Genevieve in the
said state of Missouri by Mrs Masia Field also
a daugther of said Judge William James , to the
town of Quincy in the State of Illinois and then held
to labor and service from the fall of eighteen hundred
and thirty six until the spring of eighteen hundred
and thirty seven, when she was bought by one George
Wolf to the city of St Louis within the jurisdiction
of said court, and there hired out as the slave of said
Black to one Lewis Matlock. Petitioner for this states
that to the July term eighteen hundred and thirty eight
of said court, by of the Hon. judge thereof she institu-
a suit in own to establish his right to freedom against
said James Black and said Mallock, and one
Harris L . to attend to the same as her attorney
and to whom she paid at sundry times sums of money
amounting in all to about fifty Dollars or more, as a
for in said cause for his services : that within a four
days she has ascertained that the said utterly
neglected her in said , and that at the
Last July term of said court, on the calling of said
cause for trial, it was dismissed and a nonsuit
entered, because the said was not in attendance
as this affiant belives of upon said court to pros-
ecute the same for this petitioner - and that said non-
suit was owing wholly to the gross neglect of said attorney
and not in any manner to this petitioner she further
states that had she known that the said cause was for
trial at the last July term of said court, she could and
would have been ready for trial as there then was and
now is evidence to be had in the city of St Louis of the
as of petitions in the State of Illinois as alledged in her petition she further states
that she was arrested to day by one Thomas M.
Horime, a brother in law of said James Black, as the
slave of said Black, who still continues to reside in
Vandalia aforesaid, and committed by him to the jail of
the county of St Louis , with the design and purpose of summoning petitioner, so as to have the petitioner
in to whom his out of the jurisdiction
of said court - made this state of factspetitioner
believes that she is entitled to her freedom, and she
prays your honor to allow her to sue as a poor person
in order to establish her right to freedom, against said
Black, the said Horine and the jailor of said county one
George H . C. Mallody who now holds her in

his possession - and she further prays that your
honor will issue your warrant the
sheriff of said County to bring your petitioner before
your honor, and to summon the said parties defendants
&c as is provided for this act of the judicial assembly
of the state of Missouri to make persons held
in Slavery to sue for their freedom and in going there to enter into recognizance as is therein and she will
pray &c

Rebecca by her
atty F. B.

State of Missouri
St. Louis County

Rebecca a woman of color
being sworn says that the matters and things
set forth in the forgoing petitions are true.

Sworn to and Subscribed
the 5th January 1843
Before

Justice of the Peace Rebecca her Mark

State of Missouri
County of St Louis

I allow the forgoing petition and order. First That said
Rebecca a woman of color be allowed to sue as a poor person
to establish her right to freedom and assign F. B.
as her counsel. Second That said Rebecca have
reasonable liberty to attend her counsel and the Court, as
occasion may require; that she be not removed out of the
jurisdiction of the Court, and that she be not subject to any
severity on account of her application for freedom.

Bryan Judge
of the 8th of
Missouri

Petition for Freedom

State of Missouri
St Louis County SsIn St Louis Circuit Court

Rebecca , a negro woman, complains of
James Black, Thomas M. Horina and George H . C. Millody
of a plea of Trespass, for that the said defendants on the fifth day of January eighteen hundred and forty three
with force and arms, assaulted the said plaintiff to wit
at St Louis , in the County aforesaid, and then and there
beat, bruised and ill treated her, the said plaintiff and
then and there imprisoned her, the said plaintiff and
kept and detained her in prison there, without any
reasonable or probable cause whatsoever, for a long
time, to wit for the space of six hours then next
following, contrary to the laws of said state and against
the will of the said plaintiff - and the said plaintiff
avers, that before and at the time of the committing of
the grievances aforesaid, she was and still is, a free
person, and that the defendants held and still hold her
in slavery To plaintiff damage one hundred Dollars
& therefore she brings suit &c

F. B. Murdock
Atty for Pltff

Rebecca , a negro woman
vs
James Black, Thomas
M. Horine & George H . C
Mellody

Suit for freedom
Clerk will issue
Summons.

F B.Murdock
for pltff

County of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To the Sheriff of St. Louis County—Greeting:

We command you to Summon James Black, Thomas M .
Horine & George H . C. melody, if they be found in your
County, that be and appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the first day of the next term thereof, to be
held at the City of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , on the third Mon-
day of March next, then and there to answer unto Rebecca
a negro woman of a place of trespass for false imprisonment
to the damage of said plaintiff of one hundred dollars
dollars: And have you then there this writ.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the
city of St. Louis , this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty three Jn. Ruland Clerk.

I acknowledge myself bound for all costs that may accrue in the above cause.

Witness my hand and seal, at St. Louis , this day of

Contd. 14 p 444. venue changed to Com. Pleas Bk 15 p 8
May 27.1844. Last order rescinded & cause Contd. Bk 15 p 169.
Nonsuit Octr 20/1844 Bk 15 p 262. Nonsuit set aside & cause continued BK 15p 268.
Jury Verdict for Plff Decr 16th 1844 his reasons for new trial filed 15p 389.
15p 408. Bill of exception filed 16p 11 cont 16p 196.

Juryverdict for Defts Decr 6, 1845, 16 p 432, set aside verdict
for new trial 16 p 441. 17 p 9.

No 24 St Louis Circuit Court
March Term 1843

Rebecca (a negro woman
vs
James Black, Thomas M. Horine & Geo H.C.
Melody

Suit for freedom
Trespass

Dam $100.00

F.B Murdock p.q.Filed Jany 6th 1842(2.5) V Jn. Ruland Clk

It is ordered by the Judge of the St Louis Circuit
Court , First that said Rebecca a woman of
Color be allowed to sue as a poor person to
establish her right of freedom and assign F.B.
MurdockEsq. as her Counsel; Second that said
Rebecca have reasonable Liberty to attend her
Counsel & the Court as occasion may require
that she be not out of the jursidiction
of the Court and that she be not subject to
of her application for freedom

Executed this writ in the county of
Saint Louis by offering to read it and
the declaration and order of the Judge to George
H . C. Melody on the 6th and to Thomas M. Horine
on the 7th days of Janunary 1843 which they
each refused to hear. James Black the other
defendant not found in my county

Her & 2.50 William Milburn
Sheriff

County of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr. Waterman & Mrs. Waterman Greeting:

You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court on the 25th day of March
AD 1844 at the City 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 Rebecca a negro Woman is
plaintiff and Black Melody & on other is
defendant on the part of the plaintiff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with
the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this 20th day of March
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four Clerk C.C.

The within witnesses
not found

2 Now its 25/100 WmMelburn Shff
By Murphy Dpty

Circuit Court

Rebecca a Negro
Woman
vs
Black Melody & others

Subpeona
Mr Waterman
Mrs Waterman live on 8th St a four doors
West

Hugh Rows

Apl term 1843.

and the said defts Horine & Mello-
dy come & defend the force .
that they are not guilty - of the said supposedtrespass
above laid to their charge orany past thereof in man-
ner& form as the said pltff hath thing com-
plained against the deft they the
upon thiscounty &c.

.

No. 24

Rebecca
Horine & Mellody
plea forissue

Filed April 20th 1843 Jn . Ruland Clk.

County of St Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr Waterman a bricklayerby trade
Mrs Waterman hiswife
Greeting:

You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the 3rd day of June 1844
at the City 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 Rebecca a NegroWoman is
plaintiff and Horine Black & Melody are
defendant on the part of the plaintiff. and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with
the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this 31st day of May
in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty seven John Ruland Clerk C.C.

St Louis Circuit
Court

Rebecca aNegrowoman
vs
Horine Black Melody

for pltff

Mr. Waterman
a bricklayer
Mrs Waterman
his wife

The written written
not found in my County

fees 38 cents Wm Milburn Shff
By E. W. Dpty

State of Missouri
County of St Louis In the St Louis
Circuit Court

Rebecca the plff in the
above untitled suit comes by her &
moves the court that judgment
of suit in the above case
be set aside for the following reasons
1st BecausePltffhad no -

2d. Because said Rebecca was
lying in said to of the time
of said nonsuit& was thereprecluded
from employing an Atty in her said
cause

3d. Because the said plff
to employ counsell

4d Because it was the duty of
the Judge of said Courgtoassign
counsill by order to said pltff
in the event of her being toopoor
to employ it for her self

5th Because said pltff has
grounds for a

F Risk
Atty for
Pltff

St Louis Circuit
Court

Rebecca
vs
Horine Black & Melody
to
Judgement of

J F Risk
Atty for plffFiled October 5th 1844 John Ruland Clerk

County of St Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr Waterman &Mrs Waterman
Greeting

You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the on the5th day of December
1844 at the City 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 Rebecca a Negro Woman is
plaintiff and Horine Black & Melody are
defendants, on the part of The Pltff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with
the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this 26th day of Nov
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty four John Ruland Clerk C.C.

Rebecca
vs
Horine et al

Subpena
as witnesses for
Pltff

Mr Waterman
Mrs Waterman Executed Wm Milburn Shfffee $ 1.00

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr Waterman Mrs Watermann also the
Brother of Mr Waterman Greeting:—

You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before our St. Louis Court of Commom Pleas the Judge of our Circuit Court at the City of St. Louis , on the 16
day of December 1844 then and there to testify and the truth to say
in a certain cause pending in said court, wherein Rebecca a negro woman
is plaintiff and Horine Black & Melody are defendants
on the part of the plaintiff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, Nathaniel Paschall John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with the seal thereof
hereto affixed, at office, in the city of St. Louis , this 19th
day of February in the year of
our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-four John Ruland Clerk.

St. Louis circuit court

Rebecca
vs
Horine et. al

Witness for Pltff D. 13

Mr Waterman
Mrs Waterman
Mr Waterman
Brother of the above Executed Wm Milburn Shff fee $1.12

Nov term 1844.

The deftsmove the court to grant a
new trial in the above cause for the following
reason

1. The verdict was against law

2.The verdict was against law

3. The verdict was against evidence

4. The verdict was against the instructions
of the court

4. The court was instructed the

5. The court refused to give legal instructions
to the juryasked by the defts.

B.
Atty for defts

Rebecca
vs
Horine & Mellody

; Reasons for new
trial.

B.Filed >December 16th 1844 John Ruland Clerk

Rebecca (a woman of Colour)
vs James Black Thomas M .
Horine & Geo. H. C. Melody In the St Louis Circuit
Court Term
November AD 1844
suit for freedom

Be it remembered that on the trial of
this Cause the following evidence was
given to the Court and jury on the part of the plaintiff (First was read a deed
of First given by William James to Thomas
M . Horine to the use of Emily Black
and her Children) (here insert it)
next was read the deposition of
William James (here insert it) next
was read the deposition of Maria Field
(here insert it) after whichDaniel B.
Watterman being sworn stated on
oath as follows on the part of the
plaintiff that he knewMrs Emily
Black in the state of Illinois that
she resided in the town of Vandalia
in said state that he resided withher
for some time. That he knewher
to be the daughter of WiliamJames
of St Geniveieve Missouri , that he knew
her to be a domiciled resident citizen
of the said state of Illinois and the same woman named in — That
in the year Eigteteen hundred and thirty
one or thirty-two
she brought with her
the girl Rebacea the plaintiff in this suit
with her to the said town of Vandalia
state of Illinois and while said witnesswitnesslived with her and there held her in
service for the term of sixmonths while onewasacitizen of said state of Illinois
the first time that she brought her
during which time said girlRebec-
ca was engaged in raising the
Child of said Mrs. Black mostly, also
the child of Mrs Horine the wife
of Said Thomas M Horine and that
the said girl Rebecca afterwards
went to St Genivieve Missouri with Mrs Ho-
rine or Mrs Black witness does
not recollect which and that after-
wards said Rebecca was again
brought back bysaid Mrs Black from St Genivieve
Missouri and remained with said Mrs
Black again for the space of three
or four months in said town of Van
dalia Illinois that the said girl Rebec
ca now at the bar of the Court the
Plaintiff in this suit is the same
girl Rebeca that he saw in Van
dalia Illinois at Mrs Black's—
and above spoken off by him this was
all the evidence given to the Court
and jury in the above cause
whereupon the court gave the
following instructions as asked by
the plaintiff's attorney (hereinsert it)
whereupon the court gave the following
instructions asked by the
defendants' Counsel (here insert
them) (and also here insert them
following instuction asked for by the
defendants' Counsel and refused
by the court) after which the
Court gave the following instructions

to the jury (here insert them)
after which the jury retired and
found for the plantiff the following
verdict (here insert it) upon which
the following judgment of the Court
was rendered (here insert it) after
which which the defendants by their
counsel moved the court for the follow
ing causes and reasons to set aside the
judgment of the Court and verdict of
the jury and grant them a new trial
in this cause (here insert said mo-
tionand causes and reasons filed)
after which the court set aside said
judgment of the court and verdict
of the jury and granted the said
defendants a new trial (here insert
said judgment of the court grant-
ing a new trial) to which opinion
of the court setting aside said judg-
ment of the court and verdict of the
jury and granting the defendants a
new trial the plantiff by her Counsel
excepted at the time and now
prays that this her bill of excepting
be signed sealed and enroled

John Seal

Rebecca a negro woman
vs
Black Horine & Melody

plaintiffs bill of
no

file

Filed July 27th 1848watter Jn Ruland Clerk

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr Waterman (bricklayer)
David B Watterman
Greeting:

You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the 7th day of May 1845
at the City 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 Rebecca a NegroWoman is
plaintiff and Horine Black & Melody are
defendants on the part of the plaintiff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with
the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this 2nd day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-five John Ruland Clerk, C. C.

St Louis Circuit
Court

Rebecca -
vs
Horine Black & Melody

Witness for pltff -Mr Waterman -Bricklayer the
before

Executed Wm Milburn Shrff

fee 50 ct

County Of St. Louis , Sct.
State Of Missouri ,To the Sheriff of St. Louis County—Greeting:

We command you to attach David P Waterman
by taking his body and his safely keep, so that you have his body before
the Judge of our Circuit Court , now in session at the City of St. Louis , within and for the
County of St. Louis , on the 7th day of May 3 Oclock P.M 1845 then
and there to testify, and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in
our said Circuit Court , between Rebecca a Negrowoman is
plaintiff, and Horine Black & Melody are defendants wherein
the said David P Black has heretofore been summoned
on the part of the said Plaintiff

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this 7th day of
May in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty-five John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

St Louis Circuit
Court

Rebecca a Negro Woman
vs Black Horine & Melody

Attachment for David P Waterman

in Court before Came in Court before attachment went out

Wm Milburn Sheriff

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr Waterman & Mrs Waterman
Bricklayer, the dame Subpenaed before in this ease
Greeting:

You are hereby commnaded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the 9th day of Dec 1845
at the City 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 Rebecca a Negro Woman is
plaintiff and Horine Black & Melody are
defendants on the part of the plaintiff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with
the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this 2nd day of Dec
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty- five John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

St. Louis Circuit
Court

Rebecca a Negro
vs Horine Black & Melody

Witnesses for Pltff
Mr Waterman a bricklayer the same subpenaed
heretofore in the case his wife

Mrs Watterman
Mr Watterman Executed Wm Milburn shff fee $1.00

Rebecca a negro woman
vs
Horine Black & Melody St Louis Cir

cuit Court

The plaintiff by her Attymoves to
set the verdict of the jury a side in the
above case for the following reasons
towit 1st that said verdict is against
law

2d. That said verdict is against evidence
3d. that saidverdictis against
same evidence

4th That said verdict is against the
instructions of the court

5 That the courtmisinstructed the
jury

6. That the instructions of the court
areagainst the law & evidence

J F Risk
Atty for Pltff

St. Louis Circuit
Court

Rebecca aNegro Woman
vs
Horine Black & Melody

Motiontosetaside
veridct for reasons
below

Filed 9 Decr 1845 Jn. Ruland Clerk

We the jury find the defendant guilty

Charles Collins
foreman

Rebecca
vs
Black Horine & Melody

Verdict

We the Jurors in the
above case find for the defendants not
guilty

Joseph Klein Jr
ForemanDecr 5/45

Given

If the Jury believe from the evidence that
the Plaintiff was taken into the state of
Illinois by her owner or by any other
person with his knowledge or counsel
for any purpose, other than for the purpose of
through that State. they will find for the
Plaintiff-

Given

To entitle the Plaintiff to recover in this
case, the Jury must be satisfied that the said Plaintiff was
taken into the State of Illinois at the time mentioned by the witnesses by
the person owning her at that time
or with the knowledge or consent of
such owner-

Rebecca (of color)
vs
Black et al

Instructions given

Refused

If the jury find from the evidance that the pltff

was taken to Illinois by a person whowas on a visit from
this Stateto Illinois will the laws on
thus taking her after such visit was over, such
use of the pldgg not freedom,

given

That the jury from the evidence that the
pltff: was taken to Illinois with the of the
the jury will findfor the deft.

Given

If the jury find from the evidence that Emily Black
had an usufruct in the pltff: asval
of her daughter Caroline at the age of eighteen years
such was existing took the pltff to Illinois
without the consent of consent of Caroline the daughter of
the person holding the legal bill which in this case was
is ThomasHorine such taking to Illinois en-
title the plaintiff: to her freedom

Given
Dec 5 1845.

If the jury believe from the evidence that the plaintiff
was the property of the defendants & that they permitted the plaintiff to
go to the state of Illinois to reside or that
they permitted her to remain there longer than
& there held in servitude beyond a resonable
time to go and return, they will found for
the plaintiff.

Given

If the jury find from the evidence that the plaintiff
is one of the slaves by William James to Thomas
M Horine , that she was at the time of the execution of
said deed the property of said James then the residence
of said plaintiff in the state of Illinois does not entitle
her to recover in this suit, unless it has been proved
to the satisfaction of the jury that Thomas M Horine
to such evidence -

Given

To entitle the Plff. to recover must be fromtheevidence that Thomas M Horine
totheresidence of the plaintiff in Illinois , and such
is not to be presumed - unless the jury shall
believe that said Horine atthetime had knowl

edge of the fact that the plaintiff was taken to the state
of Illinois & than held in servitude.

Refused

If the jury believes from the evidence
that any person having the right to the
controll or services of the plaintiff car
-ried her to the state of Illinois to reside
and while residing or remaining in said
state the plaintiff worked for or served,
such person as a slave, they will find
for the plaintiff.

Refused

If the jury believes that the plaintiff
was carried to the state of Illinois by
any person having a right to her services
and that she remained there for the space
of months or more they may infer
that the plaintiff remained in in Illinois
by the consent of the defendant & will
find for the plaintiff

Refused

If the jury believes from the evidence
that any person having a right to the
services of said plaintiff carried her to
Illinois & whiletherehired her out> to
others - they will find for the plantiff

Rebecca (Of Color)
vs
Black Horine et al

Instructions Refused

Dec. 5. 1845

given

That the consent of Thomas M . Horine
the trustee of said slave for the benefit of
Mrs. Black for life with remainder to
Caroline her daughter, to the residence
of the slave at Vandalia , did not set the
slave free without the consent of both
of the persons for whom he held her,
if then having; and that such consent
could not he given by the said
line if the jury belive from
the evidence that she was a minor of
the age of less then 8 years.

Given

That such consent could not be given
by Mrs. Black while she was a mar-
ried woman unless the jury shall believe
that she acted under the authority of her
husband-

Rebecca (of color)
vs
Black Hormine

Instructions given

Dec 5th 1845

for freedom

The court will instruct the jury that
if they believe from the evidence the plaintiff ( Rebecca ) was
taken to the state of Illinois fromthe state of Missouri at any
time before the commencement of this suit
by her owners or by the Consent of her
owners and then held in servitude
as a slave, there, they will find for the
plaintiff

In the St Louis Circuit Circuit Court
November Term 1842. Satuarday January 7th 1843.

Now at this day
the defendant George
H .C. Mellody and
bring the body of said plaintiff in open Court and there-
upon It is ordered by the Court that said plaintiff be
transfered to the Custody and Charge of William Milburn
Esq Sheriff of St Louis County, which was accordingly
done It is further ordered that the Sheriff hire out said
plaintiff to the best advantage from time to time during
the pendency of this Cause and take bond from the hirer
payable to the State of Missouri in the penalty of Four
Hundred and Twenty five Dollars with such security as
he approves Conditioned that the hirer will pay the hire
to the Sheriff and return the plaintiff at the expiration
of the term for which she is hired or as soon
as this action is determined

A True Copy Jno Ruland Clerk