To the Hon. the Circuit Court of St. Louis
County. April Term 1844.

The petition of Celestine , a woman of
color, aged about thirty sixrespectfully represents
that she is now held in slavery in the County
aforesaid by madam Julia Dumont That
petitioner believes that she is justly entitled
to freedom, and she prays the said Court, to allow
her to sue as a poor person, the said madam Julia
Dumont in order to establish her right to freedom.
The petition states as the grounds on which her claim
to freedom is founded - that the mother of Petitioner
named Sally was born in Kaskaskia in the State of
Illinois subsequent to the passage of the ordinance
of for the government of the territories North West
of the Ohio River in the year seventeen hundred and eighty
seven, by which slavery was abolished in said territory, and
that her said mother being thus entitled to freedom
that her children, your petitioner being one, were also
by law free. Petitioner states that she was born
in St. Louis in the State of Missouri , and when about
the age of nine years, she was taken from St Louis
aforesaid, to Cahokia in the State of Illinois , by one
madam Deroine, who then claimed petitioner as her
slave, and there kept her to labor & service from the
month of June until the month of October of the
same year, and there remained in St Louis aforesaid about
a month, when her said mistress last named again
returned to Cahokia in Illinois aforesaid and took
petitioner with her and there kept her as aforesaid
to labor & service - that the petitioner was so held
in the said State of Illinois by her said mistress for a period of about two years - Petitioner state that
by she became the supposed property
of Julia Burson, who afterward married Charles
Dumont, who is now dead, and that she is still
claimed and held as a slave by his widow the
said Julia.

Celestine of Color
her mark

State of Missouri
St. Louis County

Personally appeared before the
undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the said County
Celestine a woman of color, who being duly
sworn says that the facts set forth in the
forgoing petition are true to the best of her
knowledge & belief

Sworn to & subscribed
the 3d May 1844
Before me

Justice of the Peace Celestine (of Color)
her mark

The Court being satisfied that the forgoing
petition of Celestine (of color) contained
sufficient matter to authorize the commencement
of a suit, makes the following order.
First, That Celestine (of color) be allowed
to sue as a poor person to establish her right
to freedom, and the Court assigns as her counsel.
J.B.MurdochEsq.

Second. That the said Celestine 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.-

John M. Krum
Judge 8th Judicial Circuit
Missouri

Celestine , a woman of color, complains
of madam Julia Dumont of a plea of Trespass,
for that the said defendant on the third day
of May in the year of on Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty four with force and arms
made an assault upon the said plaintiff, to wit
at 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 herin prison there, without
any reasonable or probable cause whatsoever,
for a long time, to writ, for the space of twelve
hours there next following: 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 defendant held, and still
holds, her in slavery, contrary to the laws of said
state and against the will of the said plaintiff - To
the plaintiffs damage on dollar and thereforeshe
brings suit do

F . B . Murdoch
Atty for Plff

St. Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1844

Celestine (of Color)
vs
Madam Julia Dumont

Trespass in false Imprt
suit for freedom.

May 3rd

Filed May 3rd 1844. John Ruland , Clerk.

Petition filed &Order Bk 15p21

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

We command you to Summon Madam Julia
Dumont , if she be found in your County,
that she 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 Monday
of November next, then and there to answer unto
Celestine of color, of a plea of trespass in false imprisonment,
to the damage of said plaintiff one dollar
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 3rd day of
May in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty four. John 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 184

Plea filed 15p312Juryverdict for Deft Jany 26 184617p56
Mo reasonsfornewtrial17p56.

Mo overruled 17p122.

No 15
St Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1844

Celestine of color
vs
Summons
Madam Julia Dumont

Suit for freedom
Trespass
Murduch p.q.

"It is ordered, First that said Celestine
be allowed to sue as a poor
person to establish her right to freedom
and the Court assigns F B Murdoch
as her counsel. Second That the
said Celestine have reasonable
liberty to attend her counsel and
the Court as occasion may require.
that she be not removed out of the
jurisdiction of this Court and that
she be not subject to any severity
on account of her application for
freedom

Filed May 3rd. 1844 John Ruland Clerk ( by atty) (111)

Executed this writ in the County of
St Louis on the 7th day of May 1844 by reading
it and the declaration to Madam Julia
Dumont - also by reading to the said Madam
Julia Dumont the orders of the Judge ordered
upon this writ.

Fees $ 2.00
William Milburn Shff
by N.B.OsborneDepy

Circuit Court
Nov: Term 1844

And now comes the
defendant by her attorney, and defends
the force and injury, where, &C, and says,
that she is not guilty of the said suffered
trespasses or either of them, in manner
and form as the said plaintiff hath
thereof above complained.

And of this she puts herself
she county &C.

Primm L Taylor
.d.

No 15.
Circuit Court
Nov Term 1844

Celestine (a person of color)
vs
Julia Dumont

plea
not guilty

L Taylor
.d.filed Nov 22nd 1844 John Ruland Clerk

County Of St. Louis , ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mr John Latrasse and his wife MrsLatrasse,
MrsLatrasse living on 2d Stbetween
Myrtle & Almond sts, Francis Deroin ,
Mrs Angelica Robideau , Mrs Susan Robideau
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 4th day of June next
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 Celestine of color is plaintiff
plaintiff and Madam Julia Dumont is
defendant on the part of 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 28th day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty five John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celestine , of color
vs
Madam Julia Dumont

Subpa

Wit. Mr John Latresse &
his wife, MrsLatresse
Mrs Latresse
Francis Deroin
Mrs Angelica Robideau
Mrs Susan Robideau

To appear on 4 June 1845

Execution

William Milburn
Sherifffee $2.50 .12 $ 2.62 1/2

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Mrs Francois Deroin
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 11th day of June 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 Celeste a woman of color is
plaintiff and Julie Dumond is
defendant on the part of defendant
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 5th day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty five Jn Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celeste
vs
Julie Dumont

Sup. for
Mrs Francois Deroin
for 11th June.

enquire of E. Deroin Druggist
Main St. nearPine who can
tell where witness lives.

Executed

William Milburn
Sheriff Fee $ 0.50

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Francois Deroin Mrs Joseph Robideau
Vincent Guion, Louis Vandry,
Baptiste Vandry, William Vandry and
Peter Vandary
Greeting:

You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the11th day of June 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 Celeste of color is
plaintiff and Julie Dumont is
defendant on the part of defendant
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 7th day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty five John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Executed this writ on
Francis Deroin who is sick and
the other within named witnesses
not found in my county this 10th of June
1845

fee $
fee $ 1.62 1/2 William Milburn
Sheriff
By R Dowling Deputy

Celeste of color
vs
Spa
Julie Dumont

1 Francois Deroin

2 Mrs Joseph Robidoux

3 Vincent Guion

4 Louis Vandry

5 Baptiste Vandry

6 Willaim Vandry

7 Peter Vandry

for 11th June 1845

2. near corner of Water &Myrtle

3 at Primm's house.

$ fee of Sheriff $ 1.62 1/2

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Mrs John Latrasse , Mrs John Latrasse
V. Francois Deroin MrsLafrause
Mrs Angelica Robideau , Mrs Susan
Robideau , Mr Paul Primrose
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 11th day of
June 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 Celestine of color is
plaintiff and Madam Julia Dumont 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 8th day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty five John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celestine of color
vs
Subp
Julia Dumont

Witnesses

John Latrasse
Mrs John Latrasse
V. Francois Deroin
Mrs
Mrs Angelica Robideau
Mrs Susan Robideau
Mr Paul Primrose

To appear 11th June

Executed

William Milburn
Sheriff fee $ 3.50

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Madam Launga, at the Forbe on St Charles St. near 6th St.
Mrs near big mound, Mr John Latrasse
Mrs John Latrasse , V. Fraceis Deroin Mrs
near Latrasse'son 2 st. near , Mrs
Angelica Robideau Mrs Susan Robideau , Mr Paul
Primrose , PineSt near 7th St. 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 12th day of January
1846 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 Celeste of color is
plaintiff and Julia Dumont 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 19th day of Dec
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty five John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celestine
vs
Subpa
Madam Julia Dumont

To appear 12th January

Madan Launge at Mr
Foster on St Charles St near 6 St
MrsLacouste near big mound
M John Latrasse and his
wife MrsLatrasse
on 3rd Street near Myrtle
V. Francois Deroin
Mrs Angelica Robideau
Mrs Susan Robideau
M Paul Primrose
pine st near 7th St

Executed

Wm Milburn Shrff fee $ 2.80.

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Francis Deroin
Mrs:Julia Robidoux William Vandry
Vincent , Peter Vandry
Louis Vandry, Mrs: Francois Deroin
Baptiste Vandry
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 13th
Nov 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 Celeste
plaintiff and Julia Dumont is
defendant on the part of deft
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 10 day of July
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty six John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Cir: Court,
Nov Term 1845

Celeste of Color
vs
Julia Dumont

Witnesses for 13th: Nov

Francois Deroin
Mrs Joseph Robidoux
Vincent Guyon
Louis Vandry,
BaptisteVandry
William Vandry,
Peter Vandry-
for Tyler

Mrs: Francois Deroin

Mrs Deroin summoned, now
not found

fee $ 1.20

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Madame Deroin at on 6th
st
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 17th day of January
1846. 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 Celestine of Color is
plaintiff and Madame Julia Dumont is
defendant on the part of 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 16 day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty six John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celestine
vs
Madam Julia Dumont

Sub for

Madame Deroin
at her son in laws
be on
6thStreet
near Washington Av.
To appear 17 Jany 1846

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 Mrs Angelica Robideaux
by her body and her safely keep, so that you have her 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 19th day of January 1846 then
and there to testify, and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in
our said Circuit Court , between Celestine , of Color is
plaintiff, and Madame Julia Dumont is defendant wherein
the said Angelica Robideaux 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 17th day of
January in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and forty six John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celestine , of Color
v
Julia Dumont -

Attachment for
Angelica Robideaux
Attachment
Returnable19 Jany 1846

Witness is unable
to attend on account
of sickness

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 Madam Deroin
by her body and her safely keep, so that you have her 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 19th day of January 1846 then
and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in
our said Circuit Court , between Celestine of Color is
plaintiff, and Madam Julia Dumont is defendant wherein
the said Madam Deroin ha 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 19th day of
January in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty 6 John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Attachment for
Madam Deroin

Executed

Wm Milburn
Shrff fee $ 1.00

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

We command you to attach Mrs Joseph Robidoux Mrs Francois Deroin and Francois Deroin
by their bodies and them safely keep, so that you have their bodies
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 theforthwith then
and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in
our said Circuit Court , between Celeste
plaintiff, and Julie Dumont defendant wherein
the said witnesses have heretofore been summoned
on the part of the said defendant

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this 21 day of
January in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty six. John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celeste
vs Dumont

Attachment for
defdt's witnesses
Executed this in the
county of St Louis this
21st day of January
1846 by having the Body of
Madam Deroin in Court
MrsRoubeadeau Sick
and not abel to attend Court

Francis Deroin not found
in my county

William Milburn
Sheriff
By R Douling Deputy 1.50

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,To Madam Mary Anne -
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 23d day of January at 9 O Clock
A M. precisely 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 Celestine of Color is
plaintiff and Madam Julia Dumont 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 22d day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty six John Ruland Clerk, C.C.

Celestine
v
Madam Julia Dumont

Sub for

Madam Mary Ann

an old lady mother
of Mrs
who lives low down

Returnable 23 Jany
at 9 O C. A.M.

Executed

Wm Milburn Shff fee 50 ct

If the jurybelieves from the
evidence that the plaintiff was taken to Cahokia
in the State of Illinois by her owner or other
person claiming her as a slave, & that she
was there in the State of Illinois held
in servitude or slavery, they will find the
issue for the plaintiff, unless they shall at the
sametime believe from the evidence that the
plaintiff was so taken to the State of Illinois ,
temporarily merely, with no design or
intention on the of her owner or the
person or persons claiming her as a
slave, to remain or reside
for any considerable time in the said
State of Illinois , but merely went
there for the purpose of visiting relations
or friends, residing at Cahokia &
remaining there with the plaintiff but
for a few days- in such case & if
thejurors shall so believe, they will
find the issue for the defendant

given Jan. 26. 1846

Celestine (of Color)
vs
Dumont

Instructions given
Jan 26 1846

In the Circuit Court
Nov Term 1846

The plaintiff moves the Court to instill the
jury 1st If they believe from the evidence
that the plaintiff was taken to Cahokia
in the State of Illinois since the year
1787. and after the passage of the ordinance
of Congress by the persons there settled
to the property and come of
said plaintiff. and was held in
slavery or involuntary servitude they will
find for the plaintiff-

Given Jan. 26. 1846

2nd. If they believe from the testimony that the
father of Eulela made a present of the
plaintiff to his said daughter and this
the possessionwas of said plaintiff
any. are - in takeing said
slave to Illinois , in violation of the laws
of that state or , would entitle said
slave to her freedom; although he may
in the firstinstance, , made a present
to his daughter &

Refused Jan 26. 1846

3rd If they believe from the testimony
that the wife of Deroin in his absence
from , had control
and possession of his slave. and the
andmanagement of , her act would
be his act and if the
said plaintiff was taken to Illinois
by the wife., of said Deroin and held there

Refused Jany . 26. 1846
in involuntary servitude, in violation of the Laws of
the Territory, they will find for the
Plff

That fact of their goinig on a visit
and taking their slaves will not exempt
the said slaves from the opperation of
the the laws of said Territory

Refused Jan 26 1846

We the Jury in the case Celeste vs
Madame Julia Dumont find for the
defendant

N.B.
foreman

Motion & reasons
for new trial

1 Because the verdict was against the
evidence

2 Because the verdict was against the
law and evidence

3 Because the Court erred in instructing
the jury

4 Because the Court erred in refusing
the instructions offered byplffs attys.

&
for Plff

Celestine
vs
Madam Julia Dumont

Motion & reasons for
new trial

Filed January 26 1846 Jn Ruland Clk