To the Circuit Court of Saint Louis County:-

The petition of Rachel Stul a coloured woman humbly
represents, that in the year 1831 your petitioner was holden in
slavery by the late Samuel Gilbert , who then lived in the State
of Missouri : that the late Russel , Farnham , was then residing,
at Kokuck , in the Territory, north of the State of Missouri ,
and north, of of the, line of 36 30, north latitude,: that said,
Samuel Gilbert , while he was thus the owner, of your petitioner hired, out your petitioner, to said FarnHam, in or just, before
the month of December 1831 to be taken to Kokuck
and then holden and employed, by said Farnham , as a slave,
that said Farnham , in the, month of December 1831
took removed your petitioner, to said Kokuck and then, held
and employed, your petitioner, as a slave for a period of nine
Months or therabouts, and until his decease,: that by such
hiring, and employment your petitioner, became free, as she is
advised: that Thomas Taylor married, a grand daughter of said Gilbert , and upon the decease, of said Gilbert , claimed to hold in
right, of his said wife your petitioner, as a slave under said gilbert,: That said, Taylor does now in fact, hold your petitioner,
as a slave: and your petitioner, prays that she may be
allowed to sue, as a poor person for the recovery, of her
freedom as in duty bound will ever pray

Rachel Steel,X
her mark,

Personally approved Rachel Steel to the
of the truth of the foregoing petition, this 15th of march AD 1843
before, me at chambers,

We the undersigned, have been acquainted, with Rachel Steel,
coloured woman for several, years and during, all that time she,
has borne, a good character for truth we believe, that her
statements, on may safely be relied, on March 22 1845

On reading, the foregoing petition and hearing the, accompanying,
proof it is ordered, that Rachel Steel, the petitioner,
have permission to sue, as a poor person,
that she have reasonable liberty, to
with her Counsel that she be not removed from the jurisdiction of the, St. Louis Circuit Court , is appointed Counsel
this

St. Louis mar 25. 1845 John

no St. Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1844

The The petition of
Rachel Steel (coloured),

March the 23 1845

This is to certify that I have known the Bearer Rachel Steel
for thirteen years and known her to be an honest upright woman one that can
be trusted I am also well acquainted with her master & mistress Mr & Mrs
Taylor who haveing moeved up in the Country last year and left her here
with, the privelige of hireing herself either on a boat or in the City
if any further recommandation is needed you can apply to my Husband
Mr Wm Le Grimes of the Steam Boat Uncle Toby Charlotle P Grimes.

In Saint Louis Circuit , Court , April Term,, 1845

Saint Louis ,ss Rachel Steele , coloured woman, who sues in
this behalf, as a poor person, by R.M . Field counsel, assigned
her by the court, complains, of Thomas Taylor , in a plea of trespass,
for that, before and at, time of the committing of the grievances herein
after mentioned by the defendant the complinant, was and still is
a free person a that the defendant, on the first, day of January, past
at Saint Louis did, make an assault, in upon, the plaintiff then and there, imprisoned and kept in prison and restrained, of her freedom, the
plaintiff for a long space, of time to wit from there witherto and then, &
there, held and still holds, the plaintiff as a and other, wrongs to
the plaintiff then and there did against, the peace to the great,
damage of the plaintiff for the recovery, of her freedom the
plaintiff brings, this suit,.

R.W. Field ,

In Circuit court,April term,, 1845

Rachel Steele , coloured women,
in ,
vs Thomas Taylor ,

Suit, for freedom

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

We command you to summon Thomas Taylor ,, 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 Mon-
day of April instant then and there to answer unto Rachel Steele ,
Coloured woman, of a plea of trespass,. to the great damage of said plaintiff
And have you then there this writ

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal therof hereto affixed, at office, in the city of St.Louis , this third day of
April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty five. John Ruland , Clerk.

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

Witness my hand and seal, at St. Louis , this day of 184

no187
St Louis Cicuit Court ,
April Term,
1845

Rachel Steele ,
vs
Thomas Taylor ,

summons,
Suit, for freedom
R.M . Field ,

Filed, 31st March 1845
John , Ruland clk,

On reading, the foregoing, petition & hearing the
accompanying, proofs, it is ordered, that Rachal
Steele the petitioner, have permision to sue,
as a poor person,, & that she has, reasonable,
liberty, to advise, with her counsel, & that she
be not removed from the jurisdiciton, of the
St Louis Circuit, court RM Fields , is
appointed Counsel, to prosecute, this petition

St. Louis
mar 25 1845 John M Krum , M 8 A true copy of the order 8 clrk

Thomas Taylor , the within named,
defendant not found in my County
50