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

The petition of Hannah , a mulatto woman, respectfully
represents, that she is now held in slavery in the County
aforesaid by one John Pitcher - that she believes
that she is untitled to freedom, and she prays the said
court for leave to sue, the said Pitcher, as a poor person
in order to establish her right to freedom.

Your petitioner states, as the ground on which her
slain to freedom is founded, that about eight years ago, there
being the slave of Daniel D . Page of St. Louis , in the State of
Missouri , she was taken by said Page from St. Louis aforesaid
to the City of Boston in the state of Massachusetts in the spring
of the year, the month of may as petitioner believes, and there
left by said Page as a and servant in attendance
upon the wife of said page, who accompanied her said
husband to Boston aforesaid - that petitioner remained
in the said state of Massachusetts doing service and labor
there in attendance upon the wife of said Page until some-
time in the fall of the same year, the month of October
petitioner thinks, when your petitioner was brought back
again to St. Louis by his said mistress, who then returned
home - the petitioner cannot remember with distinctness,
the year when she was so taken to Massachusetts and
there kept as aforesaid, but for greater certainty, she
states, that it was in the year, that the con-
vent was burnt down at Charleston in said last
named State, by a mob, and that petitioner being there
in Boston saw the conflagration - after petitioner was
brought back to St. Louis , the said Page sold her to said Pitcher
who now has her in posession & holds her in slavery - Petitioner
states that slavery is not allowed to existence the state of Massachusetts ,
and was not permitted when she was so taken there & kept as
aforesaid and that such a holding her in slavery there, by the laws
of said State entitled petitioner to freedom. Petitioner
further states that about ten days ago she applied to
this honorable Court for have to her said Pitchard
for freedom, which was granted, but which said on
account of some informality in the proceedings, has
been dismissed, but she states that since the bringing
of said suit, she has been treated with great
cruelty severity and oppression by said Pritchard, on
account thereof, and she verily believes that the
same severe and oppressive treatment will be
exercised towards her on account of this applica-
tion, she prays therefore that she may be
bought up by warrant under the seal of said Court
and dealt with as directed by Statute.

before me their 30
day of June 1844 John M
page 8.
Hannah her Mark of Color

The Court grants the petition of Hannah for leave
to sue for freedom, and makes the following orders
First that, the said Hannah be allowed to sue as
a poor person to establish her right to freedom and
assigns to B . Murdoch in her counsel.

Second. That the said Hannah 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
Judge 8. provincial .

State of Missouri
St. Louis County In the St. Louis Circuit
Court . November Term
1844.

Hannah a woman of color complains
of John Pitcher late of said County of a plea of
Trespass, for that the said defendant on the thirty
first day of May in the year eighteen hundred
and forty four with face and arms to make an
assault upon the said plaintiff at St Louis 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 her in prison there without any proba-
ble or reasonable cause whatsoever, for a long
time to wit for the space of six hours then
next following. And the said plaintiff , that
before and at the time of the committing of the
said grievances, 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 said plaintiff. To the
planitiff damage ten dollars and therefore she
brings suit

B. Mendach
Plff atty.

St. Louis Circuit Court
Nov Term 1844

Hannah (of Color)
vs
John Pitcher

Trespass false
suit for freedom

Filed June 3rd 1844 John Ruland Clerk

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

We command you to summon John Pitcher, if he be found
in your County, that he 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 Han-
nah, a person of color, of a plea of trespass and
false imprisonment
to the damage of said plaintiff ten 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 fourth day of
June 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

Jno. Pitcher as pricipal & Henry Pitcher as Surety recognized in $500,000, to obey order of court respected
Defts liberty to attend &c Bk 15. p 95. plea filed 15 p 311. Jury trial & verdict for Defft Mo
treasurer for new trial filed 48. Mo overruled Hill of Exceptioned plead by

No. 28. In the St. Louis Circuit Court .
November Term 1844.

Hannah , a person of color.
vs.
summons
John Pitcher. B

Trespass & false imprisonment.
Damages $10.00.

F. B. Murdoch p. q.
``It is ordered that said petitioner have
leave to sue as a poor person & the Court
assigns F. B. Murdoch Esquirer, as Coun -
sel. for said petitioner; and it is further
ordered that said petitioner have reason-
able liberty to attend her counsel
Court as occasion may require; that
she be not removed without the juris-
diction of this Court and that she be
not subjected to any severity on
account of her application for free-
dom.''

Filed June 4th 1844. John Ruland . Clerk. 113

Executed this writ in the
County of St. Louis on the 4th day of June 1844
by offering to read it and the declaration to John
Pitcher which he refused to hear - and also by
making known the orders of the Judge endorsed
upon this writ

William Wilburn Plff
by A. Depy Fees #1.500
for 2.00
# 3.50

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Francis M . Page, Mrs Julia A. Bacon , Mrs
Deborah Page, Mr Leonard and Mr Pages'
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 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 Hannah of Color is
plaintiff and John Pitcher is
defendant on the part of the plaintiffs
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 Rul and Clerk, C. C.

Hannah of Color
vs.
John Pitcher
subpoena

Wit. Francis W . Page
vs Julia A. Bacon
vs Deborah Page
vs Leonard , at Page

To appear on 4 June 1845

Executed


fee $ 2

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mrs. Julia A. Bacon , Francis W .
Page, Deborah Page & Mr Leonard 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 Hannah of Color, is
plaintiff and John Pitcher 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 Jno Ruland Clerk, C. C.

Executed
William Wilburn Plff
Fee $2.00

Hannah
vs.
John Pitcher
Subp.

Witnesses/2 Mrs Julia W Bacon
Francis W . Page
Mrs Deborah Page
Mr Leonard To appear on 11 June

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To Mrs Julia A. Bacon , wife of H D. Bacon
Francis N . Page, Mrs. Debora Page
Mr Leonard Mr D. D . Page P D Tiffany

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 13th 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 Hannah of Color is
plaintiff and John Pitcher 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 19th day of Decr
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-five John Ruland Clerk, C. C.

Hannah
vs.
John Pitcher
Subp

13th Jan
To appear on

Witnesses Mrs Julia Bacon
Francis W . Page
Mrs Deborah Page
D. D . Page
Mr Leonard
P D Tiffany
James Knoxbury Executed
per $2.50

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,To
J. R . Sheply Esq.
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 14th 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 Hannah of Color is
plaintiff and John Pitcher
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 13th day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-six John Ruland Clerk, C. C.

Hannah
vs
John Pitcher

Subp for
Esq.


St.

To appear on 14 July
1846 on J R . Sheply this 14 July 1846 J B .
Executed McMilburn Shrff
Fee 50

Refused

If the plaintiff was taken by Page
who was then the owner of the plaintiffs to
the state of Massachusetts , and there remained
for weeks or months on a visit to his relations
and while so visiting held the plaintiff
there as his servant, she is entitled to freedom

Given Jan. 26, 1846

1 If the jurybelieves from the evidence
that Daniel D . Page was the observer
of plaintiff, & that the wife of said page
took said Slave with her on a visit to
her foresaid S in Massachusetts & Maine
in May & returned with her in the fall
of the same year, & that during that
whole excursion the said Mrs. Page, was engaged
in visiting among her relatives from place
to place, or in going traveling to &
from the St. Louis to the earlier states
they will find for the plaintiff defen-
dant

given Jan. 26 1846

2 That if the plaintiff was carried as
a servant to the states of maine &
Massachusetts by the of the above
and upon there as such, nerely for
the of a visit for a few
months, & was retained there
an such visits from place to place
among relations of the owner, for
of not now there two or three
weeks, & used during the whole time
as the personal attend on the
family of the colour to making visits then she was
not forced by residence in
Maine & Massachusetts

given Jan. 27, 1846

3 That no holding of the slave Hannah is
Maine or Massachusetts by her owner an
a visit on sojourning there, can set
her face, useless her right to free
dom has been inforced in those States
or out of there

Hannah (of color))
vs
Pitcher

Jurisdictions

Hannah vs John Pitcher Motion offornew trial t

1 Because the verdictis against the
law of the case

2 Because the verdict is against the
evidence

3 Because the verdict is against both
law &evidence

4. Because theCourtsued in
thejury

Murdoch for

Hannah vs John Pitcher

Motion&heresay
for new trial

filed 21 July 1846Clerk

In St Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1845

Bill of Exceptions

Be it remembered that on the twenty first day
of January eighteen hundred and forty six in this term
of November 1845. this cause came on for trial upon the
issue joined, and the plaintiff to maintain the issue on
her part called as a witness Mrs Page, wife of
Daniel D . Page, who being sworn testified - that in
the month of may thirteen or fourteen years ago, she and
her husband went to the states of Massachusetts and
Maine on a visit to their relations, and took with them
the plaintiff Hannah , there their slave as a servant
did not stay long in Boston not bounded to the state of
maine and visited there in many places whom she left St Louis
with plaintiff, it was on a visit to her friends in the last,
expecting within a very short time to return to St Louis again - stopped in New York
a day or two, went from New York to Boston , staid there
perhaps one day, went to Parsonsfield in the state of
Maine and remained two weeks at connexions of Mr
Page, then returned to Boston in Massachusetts , passed
through to the town of Scituate to visit a sister and other
connexions and staied among them some two weeks
more or less, thinks she returned to Boston then for a day or
so & then went to New Bedford and staied there about
two weeks staying among many relations, left there
for Boston and soon after was taken sick & was not able to travel and as soon
as she recovered sufficently started for St. Louis her home; she the witness had
many connexions in Boston to visit. Returned to
St Louis in the month of October of same year
and during all the time she was absent as stated,
she had Hannah the plaintiff with her as a servant
The plaintiff, then called Samuel Knox esq. who being
that he is a laywer by profession living in St. Louis - him never practiced law
in Massachusetts or Maine & not acquainted with the laws of either state
sworn testified to knowledge of witness that slavery does not exist in the state
of Massachusetts or the state of Maine - the plaintiff
then called J. R . Sheply Esq. who being sworn testified
that he is a lawyerliving in St Louis - never practiced law in Maine or Massachusetts slavery does not exist in the state of Maine or the
state of Massachusetts to knowledge of witness.
p=m-| The plaintiff also proved
by witness,, that at the time of the bringing of this suit,
the defendant held the plaintiff in possession, claiming
her as his slave, under title derived from Danial D.
Page - Thereupon the plaintiff closed her
case, and the court instructed the jury as follows
(Here act forth the instructions given by the court)
to which instructions and the giving of the same, plaintiff objected & then excepted - the plaintiff
then prayed the court to give the following instruction.
(Here insert instruction)which the court refused
to give, and the plaintiff therefore excepted to
the opinion of the court in refusing said instruction.
And on the twenty first day of January eighteen
hundred & forty six, the plaintiff came and filed
her motion for a new trial, as follows (Here set
forth the motion and reason for new trial) and
the plaintiff at the leaving of said
motion & reasons insisted that a new trial
should be granted for the reasons in said motion
set forth, but the court over ruled said motion &
refused to grant the said plaintiff a new trial
to which decision the plaintiff then and there
excepted - the forgoing was all the evidence
and proceedings on the trial and on said motion
in this case, not of record, and the same is made a part of the record. Signed and sealed
this 9th day of April eighteen

hundred and forty six.

John M

Hannah
vs
John Pitcher

Bill of Exceptions

Filed 9 April 1846 Jno Ruland Clerk