The State of Missouri
County of S Louis
SS

James A Guian person
ally appeared before me Peter W Johnstone a
Justice of the Peace and being duly sworn says
that he has arrested as a Runaway slave
one Thornton Kinney alias Williamson
and he has good reason to believe he belongs
to one John F Hatcher of New Orleans, State
of Louisiana .

James A. Guion Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 6th day of
July 1853. Peter W Johnstone

State of Missouri To the Keeper of the Common Jail of the County of
S Louis Greeting

Whereas one Thornton Kinney alias William -
son was brought before me on a charge of
being a Runaway Slave, and after Examining
into said Charge and believing the facts to be
true

These are therefore to Command you
further to receive the body of the said Foun
tain into your common Jail of S Louis
County, and detain him in Custody until
his said master takes him hence and pays
all reasonable charges, or until he shall
be discharged in due course of Law
given under my hand this 11th day of July 1853

Peter W Johnstone Justice

The State of Missouri
vs
Affidavit &
Commitment

Thornton Kinney
alias Williamson
a Runaway Slave
- 75 -

Paid by J. A . Guian

Jas A Guian
Takeninfo

To John M Winnes Sheriff of the County of St Louis

I was Committed to the Jail of St Louis County on the
6th day of July 1853 on warrant issued by Justice Peter
W Johnstone as a runaway slave. Thornton Kinney
alias Williamson , aged about thirty six years about
five feet ten inches high, black, and slender built,
says he was born free, in Albemarle County VA
at Charlottsville, that his mother was also free born,
that he had been absent from VA- sixteen or
seventeen years, that he has resided in St Louis off
and on for the last tew years

St Louis July 7th 1853 James Castello Jailor
St Louis County

In the Circuit Court
of St Louis County March
Term A.D. 1853

Plaintiff states that he has even been a free man, that
he was born free and that his mother, one Amy Kinney was
a free woman of Colour born in Louisa County Virginia and
that her mother was an Indian, also free - said plaintiff was
born in Charlottesville Virginia - He further states that while very
young he removed thence to Staunton Virginia and there was apprenticed
to one J. J . Kennedy , a Tanner&Shoemaker, at the age of 21
he obtained his certificate of Freedom from his guardian one
Samuel Clark and soon after left Virginia and came to
the West and South, where after working some years on
Steam Boats, he left for Liberia on the Ship at the
of the Reverend W . Fenly - returning there after about
five years absence to the United States , he resumed his on
Boats, as steward, cook & other employments, and
engaged with a exception, until about the seventh
of July 1833when he was by one James A .on behalf
of one of the Defendants - John F . Hatcher and was then incarcerated
in the Jail of St Louis County at the instance of said
the agent of said John F . Hatcher . And the said John
F . Hatcher by his other agent one Charles C. Bridges has obtained
posession of the said plaintiff by false representation the
said plaintiff always having been & now being a free person and
he states that the defendants held and still holds him in slavery
wherefore he prays that he may have his freedom secured to
him by due Course of law and that the defendants and
others whose names he is unable to state but who are
instrumental in holding him in bondage may be brought to
answer for the wrongful holding in slavery of him the said
Hornton Kinney

Hornton his X mark Kinney

State of Missouri
County of St Louis Ss

Thornton
Kinney plaintiff makes oath and says
that the matters contained in the above and
foregoing petition as stated are true

Thornton his x mark Kinney Sworn to before me this 25th day
July 1853. R. J . Howard Clk Criminal Court

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

We command you to summon John F. Hatcher and Charles
C Bridges
to appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the first day of the next term
thereof, to be held in the City of St. Louis , within and for the
County of St. Louis , on the third Monday of November November
next, then and there to answer the complaint of Thornton Kinney
(of color)
as set forth in the annexed petition
have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Michael S. Cerre , Clerk of said Court,
with the Seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the
City of St. Louis , this 25th day
of July in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred and fifty ThreeM. S. Cerre Clerk.

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

Witness, my hand and seal, at St. Louis , this day
of 185

April Term 1853. Order to Shff to provide clothing & c 23 p 226
Nov Term 1853. order of Publication 23 p 427. John D Hatcher
appearance & filesans. herein 24 p 91April Term 1854. Dedimus to
Louisiana for deft and one to Virginia for pltf. 24 p 130. Nov.
5 1854Continued at pltfs costs as on affidavit 24 p 484. Apr T . 1855Plff
ordered to give handfor costs on or before 1st day next term & cause contd. as on costs of Plff
Oct. T. '55- Decr. 21st Dismissed for of secy. for costs25 p 253Mo. to order
of dismissal filed 25 p 314. to cause 25 p 362.

No 35 November Term 1853

Thornton Kinney (of color)
vs
John F. Hatcher and
Charles C. Bridges

Petition

IssuedJuly 23rd 1853MS Cerre clk.Atruecopy of the
petitionandwrit
attestM.S. Cerre Clk

Executed this writ in the County of St Louis on the25th
day of July 1853 by deliveringto Charles C Bridges acopy
of the within writ and petition as furnished by
the Clerk. The within John F Hatcher not
found in my County

Jno M Winnes Shff
by , . Blakey dept Fee 1.00 50 1.50 Fees on
in

2.50 $4.00

To Hon. Alexander Hamilton , Judge - in vacation.

Your petitioner Thornton Kinney , begs most respectfully to
represent unto your Honor, that he is about fortyseven 47 years of
age - that he was born in CharlottesvilleinAlbemarleCounty in the State of
Virginia - that his mother was a free woman named Amy Kinney , the
daughter of an Indian woman or one of Indian descent
who was also free.Petitioner'smother was born in Amelia County , Virginia . Your Petitioner's father was a Slave, and
belonged to Johnson the Celebrated Virginia Lawyer
Your petitioner also states, that when a boy, he was indented an
apprenticeunderthelaws of Virginia to J. J. Kennedy who was a Shoemaker and tanner
in the town of Staunton , County of Augusta and State of Virginia
The guardian of your Petitioner was Samuel Clark of the
said town of Staunton , and aranged the free papers of your
petitioner when he arrived at the age of twenty one years according to the laws of Virginia
Your petitioner states, that his papers were either drawn up and
prepared by Nicholas or Jefferson Kinney Esq. (not of any
kin to him, but of the family of Kinney in Augusta County ) or by
Vincent Page Esq. - all of whom were about the Court and
knew all about it. The papers were all fixed for him, and
only recorded in Court of Staunton , and handed to him, and
he kept them until the year about 1831 or 1832, when they were so
worn out, that he threw them away in the Colony of Liberia on the
Continent of Africa , where he then was and where he then thought
he would continue during his life - The reason that induced him to go
to Liberia , will be hereafter stated to your Honor.

Your Petitioner States, that after he reached the age of twenty one
years, when according to the laws of Virginia he was free, he
in that State at and about Staunton for the space of about 3 or
four then worked, at White Supperaswaiterthen at the after
which he left Virginia and went to Ohio & Michigan & then
to Louisvile in Ky, where he remainedgoingback & forth to New Orleans & St. Louis
when he left those places, and went to Liberia , where he
remained for about five years

While living in St. Louis , about the year 1830 he became acquainted with the Rev Robert
Finley , who lived here, and was agent of the American Coloniza
tion Society, and by Rev.. Finley he was induced to go to the
Colony of Liberia & when he left St. Louis for Liberia , he paid
his own passage to New Orleans , where he embarked along
with other free persons of color going to Liberia , in the ship
- He reached the Colony about the year 1831
and thought he should always remain there. It was during the
time he was there, which was about five years, that he threw
away his free papers above referred to, which were so worn and muti
lated that no onecould decipher them, and he supposed be would no
longer need them. After having remained in Liberia for about
five years, he fell disposed to return to the United States , and did
return onboard the ship Cipher, in the capacity of Cook & Steward
The said ship landed him at Salem Massachusetts , where he remained for
about two weeks then went to from there he shipped in the ship for Cuba as
Cook & Steward & from there in same ship went to New Orleans - there he
was paid off & he on Steam Boats to St Louis
Louisvile&hasbeenresiding there with occasionalexceptionevery daysince.

In the year 1837, after getting back to the United States , he was on
Steam Boats running on the Ohio & Mississippi , and while at the
City of Louisville in the State of Kentucky , he went before the
Clerk of the County Court of Jefferson County in that State, and
had a paper that was given to him by the CollonialSectay
of SierraLeone in Africa , which was a permit ,
but which your petitioner thought it would be important for
him to keep, and which he supposed would be all sufficient at any
time to prove his freedom - After that paper was recorded at
Louisville , he, while engaged on Steam Boats running to New Orleans ,
went before a Notary Public in the latter city, and had the
same registered and deposited in his office - which Notary gave
to him a Certified Copy thereof, which is dated TheMarch 1838,
and herewith produced to your Honor. After this, your petitioner
remained about New Orleans , and was engaged much on Steam
Boats up and down the Ohio & Mississippi rivers, as fireman,
Steward , Cabin boy & etc, first one ship and then another -
and has continued all the while up to the present year to
go on the upper and lower Mississippi boats, and the Ohio
boats. He has been upon the DieVernon, the St. Louis and
others. He was on the St. Louis with Captain Gence Taylor at
New Orleans , as late as the months of February&March last (1853).
as will appear by a permission granted to him to hop from
the St. Louis on to the Shoreat New Orleans - which is herewith
presented to your Honor.

Petitioner States to yout Honor that within the last five years,
when he was engaged as Second Cook upon the BuenaVista, a
Steam Boat that ran to New Orleans , he was at this place,
for being here without lease, when he was taken before some
officer here, and he was discharged by paying hisfines all
which he can prove, if permitted to get witnesses. Your Petitioner
also states, that within the last five years, while he

was engaged upon the Steamer Cadddo (as he thinks the name was)
Captain Graham , remarked to him that he did not have papers
as would prove him a free man, and charged him with being
a slave, and after talking awhile, he declared that he intended
to hold him as a slave from that time; and he did do so
After that conversation, however, your petitioner left the Caddo , and
went upon several otherboats, and while there he went ashore at
New Orleans , and was by Capt Graham His bother
taken to the Caboose, where he was kept orfourdays
withoutany trial they took him to the jail (as it is called) of a
negro trader, where they placed him for sale. Petitioner stated
to them that he was free, had been born free, and had always
been so, when they replied “Shut up - you cannot make it
appear, and you are our Slave and we intend to sell you “or
some language. The negro trader who had charge of
him in this way tried several times to sell him, and could not
succeed, for the reason that he would always till any one who
about buying him, that he was free - how he was so -
where he was born &C - At length, afterhavingbeen with the
negro trade about 3 months, the window of the jail House
being left open, he walked out, and was no more mo
lested by them. He remained at New Orleans about 2 months as , until
he found employment again upon a boat, where he continued
his old occupation by going up and down the Mississippi , and
wherever he could make money. About two years ago, he was
engaged in that way on a Boat running to this place from New Orleans
when he became acquainted with a negro woman, who had been the
slave of Wm . Moore , but who had bought her freedom, and
he soon married her, and has been living here, as her husband,
ever since - occasionally going on Steam Boats, as he could get
a goodberth, as in the case of the St. Louis , with Capt. Taylor
Since he married his wife, he has aided her in the purchase of
her youngest child, who was a slave, and is laboring to help
her buy others - You Petitioner is well known here to a great
manypersons - he is known at Louisville to many persons - at
Cincinnati, he has many acquaintanses, where he has a brother
also a free man, John Kinney , who is a Cooper - he has another
brother at Sulphur Springs , Greenbrier County Virginia a free manalso has asisterinCaulfield City Ohio who is also free. Theyare all free
for their mother was free, as your petitioner will be able to
establish by the most respectablepeople in Staunton and Char
lottesville, where he was born and raised - Herepresents himself
to be a sober, industrious man, and has ever been a peaceable,
orderly and well behaved man -

Your Petitioner states to your Honor, that about the 8th or 10th
seventh day of the present month, he was arrested by one James A .
Guion an officerhere and taken before Justice Johnstone , under the Statutes of
this State who made such representation, on behalf of John
F. Hatcher negro trader of New Orleans , as caused the Justice to order
your petitioner incarcerated in prison as a runaway slave -
So your petitioner understands, for he had no opportunity
allowed him of making any defence before said Justice.
Your petitioner understands that now there is here one Charles C.
Bridges who has come to St Louis from New Orleans , and as
the agent of said Hatcher , pretends to have abill of sale for your Petitioner
made to Hutcher by some negro trade down there or other person whohad no rightto the and
who is about to obtain or make the attempt to obtain from the
Sheriff under the statutes of the StateRunaway Slaves, the possession of
your petitioner, that be may carry him away, beyond the
jurisdiction of your Honor, and sell him or hold him
in bondage. Your petitioner's counsel, first employed by him,
sued out a writ of habeascorpus before Judge. B. Colf of the
Court, which is returnable this day at nine
o clock - but the said Counsel has been suddenly called away,
and his lawyers now advise petitioner, that he cannot have
his here, such as will authorize him safely to go to
trial upon the habeascorpus, and advice your petitioner to
make this application to your Honor.

Your Petitioner authorized and Charles H Esqs. to telegraph to
his friends for all the facts of record or as theywere fully informed in the matter, and
have the papers certified and forwarded to them -
but there has not been time to receive them. The dispatch
was sent, but there being no office nearerthan,
which is seventy oddmiles from Staunton , and the preparation
of the proof beingnecessarilyconfided to Staunton it
may be some time before it reaches St Louis . your
petitioner is advised that it will he for him to have
himself identified, which he cannot do here, but which he
can do in Virginia , at New Orleans and elsewhere, but
that requires more time than he feard will be allowed to
him under the habeas Corpus - So that he comesbefore you
Honor as a petitioner for the right to sue for his fredom -
which he now asks of your Honor, based upon his aforesaid
statement, all which he can and will establish by incontrovert
ible evidence, if he be permitted to do so.

Your Petitioner states that he is about to be moved beyond your
jurisdiction by Charles C. Bridges and one B. M . Lynch , a negro
trader here, and sold into bondange, where he may never have

the opportunity of establishing his freedom - and he therefore asks
yourHonor to make an order on the Sheriff according to law, to
bring him before your Honor upon this application, and he alo asks
a summons against said Bridges and Lynch , which shall
cause them to appear and abidee by any order your Honor
may make in the - Thereupon he asks proofs also against James
Costello,Hisjailorwho had him in custodyas a fugitive slave Your petitionerstatesto your Honor, that hard as it is, and it
is truly , to one who was born free and has ever been so,
and who as such, has always conducted himself with propriety
and been guilty of no crime that can degradehim, to be subjected
to the penalties imposed upon him under the statute by virtue of
which he makes this application - but all this you petitioner is
willing to submit to, rather than be dragged off and bound forever
in chains of slavery, fastened by strangers, who feel
not for him, but only devise to ”put money into theirpurses”-
Your Petitionermakes this matter appliction, no his only hope for a continuance of
the blessingshehaseverenjoyed - blessings enjoyed by others, not more free
than himself, and by them prized beyond life itself -

Thorton Kinney
by Willis & H Bay
his attorneys.

State of Missouri
County of St. Louis

Elnor Smith being duly sworn upon
his oath states that for near two years padt he has known Thorton
Kinney to be actingandpassing between St Louis & New Orleans
as a free man - alwayssober,industrious,& man & he
believes the above petition & all statements therein made to be
true

. S. Sworn to & subscribed in open Court23d July 1883 R . J . Clerk Enos. S . Literfield State of Missiouri
County of St. Louis

State of Missouri
County of St Louis

James Harrison
a citizen of St Louis and now Janitor
of the St Louis states that for some three years
last past he has known the said Thornton Kinney as a
free man going & coming to New Orleans & as an honest, good
& faithful man - married here, at no times himself
or acting in any other way than a free man which he knows to be the case now
report as well as by permits to travel to and fro between
here and New Orleans given by the proper authorities, here
in New Orleans to him as a free man - one in particular
while he was in the employ of Captain Jorge Taylor of the
SteamBoat St Louis This affiant has no double that
said Kinney is a free man from everything he has seen or
heard of him for the severalyears that he hasknownhim

James his X
mark Harrison Subscribed & sworn to in
open Court this23d July 1853 R J .
Clk

State of Missouri
County of St. Louis

Charles H. Haven being duly sworn upon his oath
states that he is well acquainted
withmost of the material facts the dangers that threaten
the foregoing petitioner and he verily believes that the Petitioner is in peril of being rum
off by the aforesaid Charles C. Bridges who as agent and attorney in fact for John
F . Hatcher the pretended owner of petitioner, threatens to take him off and carry
him immediately beyond the jurisdiction of your Honor and hold him in orsell
him into slavery. The erasure in the second line between the words that & he all
done before making this affidavit.

Charles H. Haven Sworn and subscribed before me
day of July A. D. 1853 Hamilton . Judge of the 8thJudicial Circuit of the State of Missouri

State of Mo.
St Louis County

On reading the foregoing potition, it is ordered,
that the petitioner be allowed to sue, on giving securitysatisfactory,
to the Clerk, for all costs that may be adjudged aginst him-
and that the Petitioner have reasonable liberty to attend his Counsel
and the Court, as occasion may require; and that he be not
removed out of the jurisdiction of this Court, and that he be
not subjected to any severity on account of his application for
freedom.

Dated St Louis , 23 July 1853 A Hamilton , Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit
of the State of MO

No 35. November Term 1853

Thornton Kinney of color
vs
J.F.Hatcher & al

Petition for Freedom
Filed July 25. 1853M.S. Cerre . Clk

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

We command you to summon John F. Hatcher and Charles C.
Bridges
to appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the first day of the next term
thereof, to be held in 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 the complaint of Thornton Kinney
(of color)
as set forth in the annexed petition
and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Micheal S. Cerre , Clerk of said Court,
with the Seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the
City of St. Louis , this 25th day
of July in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred and fifty ThreeM. S. Cerre 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 185

No 35 November Term 1853

Thornton Kinney (of color)
vs
John F. Hatcher and
Charles C. Bridges

Issued July 25. 1853M S Cerre Clk A true copy of the
writ
Attest M S Cerre , Clk

know all men by these presents, that we Ecorge W .
Goode , as principal, and Francis H .Manter
as Security, are held and firmly bound
into the State of Missouri , in the full and
just Sum of Twelve Hundred dollars, for
the payment of which, we find ourselves
our heirs executors and administrators,
firmly by these presents.

Given under our hands and
selves this Twenty-fifth day
of July A.D. 1853.

The condition of the above obligation is such
that whereas, John M . Winnes Sheriff of St. Louis
County, State of Missouri , by virtue of an order
made by the Hon. Alexander Hamilton , Judge
of the EighthJudicial Circuit of Missouri , at
Chambers , and to him the said Sheriff
directed has this day hired to the said
George W . Goode , Thornton Kinney a colored
man, at the Sum of fifteen dollars per
month. Now, if the said George W. Goode ,
shall permit the said Thorton Kinney , during
the pendency of a suit which he has this day
commenced for his freedom, to have reasonable
liberty of attending his counsel and the court
and shall not remove the said Kinney out
of the jurisdiction of said Circuit Court
and shall not subject the said Kinney to
any severty on account of his afflication for
freedom and shall return the said Kinney
to the said Sheriff as soon as said action
is determined and shall pay to the said
Sheriff the sum of fifteen dollars per month
for the hire of said Kinney as aforesaid, until
the said action is determined, then this
obligation to be void; otherwise to remain
in full force.

G.W Goode J . H .Manter

The State of Missouri To John M . WinnerEsq. Sheriff of St
Louis County

You are hereby commanded to seize
Thornton Kinney wherever he may be found,
and bring him before me at Chamber on the
25th instant, at ten o clock A.M. at the room
of the Court of Common Pleas of St Louis County,
and to summon Charles C. Bridges , in whose pos
session the said Thornton Kinney is, - to appear
at the same time and place.

Witnes my hand this 23rd day of
July A. D. 1853 A. Hamilton , Judge of the 8th Judicial
Circuit of the State of Missouri

State of MO
St. Louis County

On this 25th day of July 1853 - the matters
referred to in the above order came on to be heard and was
heard before me, the undersigned, Judge, and the said Charles
C. Bridges failing to enter into the recognizance required by
statute, it is hereby ordered that the Sheriff of St Louis County
aforesaid, take possession of the above named Thornton
Kinney , and hire him out to the best advantage, from
time to time, during the pendency of a suit for his freedom
this day commenced in our Circuit Court , and take a bond
from the hirer, according to the Statute in such case made
and provided in the penalty of twelve hundred
dollars.

A. Hamilton , Judge of the 8th Judicial
Circuit of MO.

Order to the Sheriff
of St Louis County

Executed the within order in the County of St .
Louis , on the 25th day of July 1853, by having the
body of the within named Thornton Kinney ,
before the Hon. Alexander Hamilton , Judge of
the Eighth Judicial Circuit of the State of
Missouri , - at Chambers - and further, by
summoning the within named Charles C. Bridges
to appear before said Judge at the time
and place withindesignated.

Jno M Winner Shff
by Jno C. Dept. fee $2.00

In the St. Louis Circuit Court To the Hon. Alexander Hamilton , Judge of Said Court

Your petitioner states, that on the day of July 1853,
he filed his Petition in this Court asking for the privilege
to sue for his freedom - which was granted to him
by your Honor, and his petition has been filed in
this Court against John F. Hatcher & Charles C.
Bridges to the November Term
1853, thereof - In granting to this petitioner the right to sue
for his freedom, your Honor made the legal orders to
the Sheriff provided for by statute - and no bond having been
excuted by those who pretended to claim your Petitioner
as a slave the sheriff proceeded to hire him out, and
he is now in the possession of D.D . Mitchell Esq.
to whom the Sheriff hiredhim. Your petitioner states to
your Honor that he is greatly in need of clothing, not
only to make him comfortable - but he absolutelyrequires
such garments as are necessary to his decency and
protection from the of the weather - He is almost
without clothing - and the law seemsnot to have made
any provision for such matter a state of case. You
petitioner states that the defendants in his said suit, who
pretend to claim him as a slave, are
- They livein New Orleans in the State of
Louisiana and he has had no opportunity to serve
them with any notice of this application - nor does
hebelieve that he can serve them with such notice
before he will be actually suffering for ordinary
garments to cover his nakedness Your petitioner
prays you Honor to make are order that he be furnished
with clothing by the Sheriff by the gentleman who
hires him - to be paid for out of the of his
suit - and as in duty bound he will ever pray.

Thornton Kinney
by Bay &
his Attorneys

Thornton Kinney
Petition for clothing

filed with his petition
to sue for freedom in
the Circuit Court
Nov Term 1853
vs

Filed October 22nd 1853M.S. Cerre , Clerk

In the matter of the application in be
half of the said Thornton Kinney ; being made
to appear to the satisfication of the Court,
that the said Thornton is in need of
clothing, and that the defendants are
non-residents and not within this state,
It is ordered that the Sheriff of St Louis
County out of the hire collected by him for the services of the said Thornton
do for the said Thornton suitable
clothing for the said Thornton a sum
not exceeding thirty-five dollars.

Oct. 22nd 1853.

In the Circuit Court of
St. Louis Nov Term 1853

The of Charles C.
Bridges

This defendant Charles C. Bridges states
thathedid know the plaintiff as a slave three
or four years ago, and he denies that he is a free
man a entitled to his freedom. Touching the
allegations in the petition of the
place of plaintiffs birth or of his removal to Staunton
or that he wasapprenticed to Kennedy or that
he his certificate of freedom, or that he
went to Liberia orreturned therefrom or was
subsequently engaged as stated in the petition.
he has no knowledgeorinformation of any
sort whatever sufficient upon which to form
a belief, Defendant further states that the
plaintiff escaped from the defendant
in March 1852 and in the present month was
in the Aby. of WLevi as a runaway
slave and was committed as such to the jail
of St Louis County by order of Peter W . Johnstone
a justice of the peace of St Louis County,
at the time of the plaintiffs arrest and committment
the defendant was not in the State of Missouri
and had no agency whatever in having said
plaintiff arrested, and he denies that he ever
atany time had the plaintiff in his possession
or under his Control and he denies that he at
any time ever held the plaintiff in Slavery

Charles C. Bridges

Charles C Bridges the above named defendant makes
oathandsaysthatthe above answer and the
matters therein as statedhe believes to betrue

Charles C Bridges Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 26th day of July 1853 Peter W . Johnstone
Justiceof the Peace

35

23 p 544

Thornton Kinney
Hatcher & Bridges

Dep & Ans. of Bridges .

Filed November 25. 1853.M. S. Cerre , Clk

In the Circuit Court Court
of St Louis County State of Missouri .To Thornton Kinney or Bay&Henson
his attorneys

You are hereby notified, that depositions of witnesses, to be read in evidence in the above entitled
cause, on the part of the defendant will be taken at the
office of Wm Christy Commissioner for the State
of Missouri to take depositions & a NotaryPublic
in the City of New Orleans
in the County of Parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana on
the 22nd day of May 1854, between the hours of eight
o'clock in the forenoon, and 5 o'clock in in the afternoon, and that the taking of said depositions,
if not completed on that day, will be contin ed from day to day, at the same place, and between the
same hours, till completed.

Blashbum & W Lean
Attys for Sherff St Louis Apr 22nd 1854

RecApril 22 1854 a Copy
of the within notice, I hereby
waive any objection as to the
sufficiency of the time

Thornton Kinney
By Bay & Haven
his Attorneys

County of St. Louis , Ss.
State of Missouri .To any Judge, Justice of the Peace, or other Judicial Officer of the State of William
Christy , Commissioner of the State of Miss
ouri for the State of Louisiana
Greeting:

Know ye, that we, in confidence of your prudence and fidelity, do, by these presents
authorise you to cause to come before you, to be examined as withness in a cause pending in our
Circuit Court for the County of St. Louis , in the State of Missouri , wherein
Thornton Kinney is
plaintiff, and James T . & another
defendants, all
and every such person, and at such time and place, as shall be named to you for that pur
pose by the said James T . his

Attorney or Agent. And we command you to examine all and every such person upon his oath
or solemn affirmation first made or taken before you, to testify the whole truth touching his know-
ledge of anything relating to the said matter in controversy between the said parties; and that
you do take such his examination, and reduce the same into writing. When you shall have so
taken his examination, you are to cause the witness to sign the same, and to that and each exami-
nation, at the foot thereof, you are to append your certificate, setting forth the facts that the ex-
amination was subscribed and sworn to or affirmed by the witness, and the day, as well as between
what hours of the day, on which it was done, as also the place of residence of the witness, if
known to you. Should any paper or exhibit be produced or proven, or referred to by the witness
you are to describe the same in his examination, or cause it to be so marked by him, as to estab-
lish its identity, and attach the same to his examination. The examination thus taken, you will
cause to be accompanied by a certificate of your official character, attested by the seal of the State;
or, should it be more convenient, such authentication and proof of your official character may be
made by the certificate and seal of the clerk of any court of record of any county of the State ,
District or Territory in which you reside, stating also, in addition to the facts of his being clerk,
and that the court is one of record that, at the time when the depositions were taken, you were
an acting judge, (or other such officer to whom this commission is addressed,) and duly commis-
sioned as such. And you will return the same and all exhibits produced to you, annexed herreto,
carefully closed up and under your seal, directed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the
County of St. Louis , Missouri , with the names of the said parties litigant endorsed thereon, with
all convenient speed.

Witness, William J. Hammond , Clerk of said Circuit Court at the
city of St. Louis , this 22 day of April
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty four Wm J. Hammond Clerk C.C.

State of Louisiana
City of New Orleans

Deposition of Sundry Witnesses taken before
me William Christy , commissioner of the State of
Missouri , for the said State of Louisiana , duly com-
missioned and qualified, on the Twenty second day of
May AD 1854 at my Office, in the said City of
New Orleans , to be used on the part of the Defendants in
the trial of a certain cause pending in the Circuit Court
for the county of St Louis , in the State of Missouri
aforesaid wherein Thornton Kinney is Plaintiff and
James T Hatcher & another are Defendants, pursuant
to the annexed commission and notice issuing out of
said Court .

John Eaton being first duly caution
ed and solemnly sworn, to tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, did depose and says
That, as, one of the members of the firm of J A Morrison
& Co he signed the names of James W . Robinson
John Graham , and Robert Graham , former owners of
the Steam Boat " Caddo ," as well as that of James A .
Morrison & Co as sureties to the annexed Bill of sale
of the slave " Kinney ," to John T . Hatcher , mark
ed as exhibit A and that he was fully authorized
by all the Said parties to execute the sale, in the
manner and form exhibited

And further this Deponent sayeth not. John Eaton

And at the same time and place personally
appeared Charles Giesler one of the subscribing
witnesses to the said annexed Sale, being also duly
cautioned and solemnly sworn, to tell the truth, the
whole truth and nothing but the truth, did depose
and say, that his signature to the said annexed
bill of sale is genuine, that he saw the same
excuted by the said Eaton , and that he saw J.W .
Watson the other witness thereto, sign it as such

And further this Deponent sayeth not Chas Giesler

State of Louisiana
City of New Orleans

I William Chirsty, Commissioner of the State of
Missouri for the said State of Louisiana , duly com
missoned and qualified - Do hereby certify that,
the foregoing Deposition of Eaton and
Charles Giesler , who were duly sworn by me, to
testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the

truth, were reduced to writing by my clerk A Commandence
, at my request, in my presence, and under - my immediate
superintendance, and were respectively subscribed by the
Said Witnesses and taken between the hours of 8 o'clock
A.M. and 5 o'clock P.M at the time and place
and on the day and date set forth in the caption hereof
Snd that they were not out of my possession after they
were thus signed and scaled up until they were
deposited in the post office in the said City of New Orleans
by me
In faith whereof I grant these presents
under my signature and seal of office, on the day and
date aforesaid.

Wm Christy
Commissioner Fees $ 5 - Paid by Defendants

Thornton Kinney
vs
James I. Hatcher et al

Depositions

Opened and filed June 1, 1854Wm I. Hammond Fees $ 5

State Of Louisiana .
A.
Printed By L Dillard & Co.Know all men by these Presents,

That We James W . Robinson John Graham & Robert Graham
for and in consideration of the sum of FourHundred Dollars
to us in Land paid by
John F . Hatcher of New Orleans
do by these Presents, Bargain, Sell, Convey, Transfer and Deliver unto the said
John F . Hatcher a certain slave man named
Kinney aged about - years said slave
is guaranteed by us in title only, being the
same slave as bought by us, for the steamer
Caddo

To Have And To Hold The Said slave
unto the said purchaser his heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, forever: And we the said Robinson Graham & Graham
do bind our heirs, executors, administrators
and assigns to protect and defend the said property against all claim or claims whatsoever.

Dated at New Orleans , this 24th day
of December, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty one James M Robinson John Graham Robert Graham
of the
Steamer Caddo Witness J. W. Watson Chas Giesler Mr gnimatic the only of the above slave J . A . Morrison

This is the bill of sale reffered to in our
depositions to which it is annexed.

Chas Giesles John Enston

County Of St. Louis , SS.
The State Of Missouri ,To John M Winner George W . Goode
S Litchfield - James Harrison -
Greeting:

You are hereby Commanded, that, setting aside all manner of excuse and delay,
you appear before our Circuit Court for the County aforesaid, on the 31st
day of May 1855 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 Thornton Kinney is plaintiff
plaintiff and Hatcher is
defendant on the part of the plaintiff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, William J. Hammond , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in
the City of St. Louis , this 10th
day of May in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five Wm. J . Hammond Clerk C.C.

Executed this writ in St Louis
County on the 28 day of May 1855by
copy to G W Goode J M Winner
S Litchfield and James Hurson

Turner Maddox
Shff
By J.H .Dept. fees $ 2 00

Circuit Court

Kinney
vs
Hatcher
spa

John M . Winner
Geo .. W . Good
Jno S Litchfield
James Harrison

Harrison is Janitor
of St. Louis University

This is a petition on the part
of plff a man of color for his freedom
Petitioner avers that he was bornfree &
is stillfreethoughnowclaimed by
Deft as his slave -

Deft in his answerdenies that plff
is free, and alledges that he is a slave,,
and that he Purchased him in Louisiana
in December 1851 -

Williams & Bay
For Petitioner

No. 235

Thornton Kinney
vs
John F . Hatcher
of issue

Filed May 25th 1855 Wm. J . Hammond , Clk Williams
Bay
for PlffChg

County Of St. Louis , SS.
The State Of Missouri ,To John M Winner - James Harrison - George W .
Goode - En S Litchfield
Greeting:

You are hereby Commanded, that, setting aside all manner of excuse and delay,
you appear before our Circuit Court for the County aforesaid, on the 28th
day of June 1855 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 Thornton Kinney is plaintiff
plaintiff and Hatcher is
defendant on the part of Plaintiff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, William J. Hammond , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in
the City of St. Louis , this 4th
day of June in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five Wm. J. Hammond Clerk C.C.

No. 235

Thornton Kinney
vs
Hatcher
spa

John M Winner
George W Goode
Ens S Litchfield

James Harrison Janitor of St. Louis
UniversityChg 28

Executed June 28/55 except in case of John
D . not found,

ShffBy J. H. Douglass Depty. fee $ 2 10

County Of St, Louis , SS.
The State Of Missouri ,To B. M . Lynch and J. A Guion
Greeting:

You are hereby Commanded, that, setting aside all manner of excuse and delay,
you appear before our Circuit Court for the County aforesaid, on the 28th
day of June 1855 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 Thornton Kinney is
plaintiff and Hatcher & Charles C. Bridges is
defendant on the part of defendant
and herein you are in no wise to fail

Witness, William J. Hammond , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in
the City of St. Louis , this 26th
day of June in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-fifty five Wm. J . Hammond Clerk C.C.

Executed June 27/55

Turner Maddox SheriffBy J . H .Douglas Depty Fee $ 1

Kinney
vs
Hatcher etal

B. M Lynch
J. A. Guion

County Of St, Louis , SS.
The State Of Missouri ,To B. M . Lynch & J. A . Guion
Greeting:

You are hereby Commanded, that, setting aside all manner of excuse and delay,
you appear before our Circuit Court for the County aforesaid, 12th day
February 1855 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, Thornton Kinney is
plaintiff, and J. W Hatcher etalare
defendants on the part of defendant
and herein you are in no wise to fail

Witness, William J. Hammond , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in
the City of St. Louis , this 5th
day of Feby in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five Wm. J . Hammond Clerk C.C.

282

Kinney
vs
Hatcher

J. A . Guion B. M Lynch

Executed the 5th day of February 1855 in the County of St. Louis
by reading to J A Guion & B M Lynch

Turner Maddox Shriff
by Charles Pikerdepty fee $1.00

County Of St. Louis , SS.
The State Of Missouri ,To B . M. Lynch & J. A . Guion
Greeting:

You are hereby Commanded, that, setting aside all manner of excuse and delay,
you appear before our Circuit Court for the County aforesaid, on the 19
Decr. 1855 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 Thornton Kinney is
plaintiff and Hatcher et al are
defendants on the part of Deft
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

Witness, William J. Hammond , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in
the City of St. Louis , this 15
day of Decr in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-5 Wm. J . Hammond Clerk C.C.

131

Thornton Kinney
vs
Hatcher et al

B M Lynch J.A . Guion

Executed Dec 19/55 by reading to
J. A . Guion a copy at the
office of B. M . Lynch .

Turner Maddox Shff
By Charles PikersDepty Fee $1 00

In Circuit Court
Oct 7, 1851,

The plaintiff and moves
the Court to set aside the order
dismissing said cause and to
reinstate said cause on the docket
for the following reasons

1.The court erred in requiring plaintiff
to give security for costsof suit

2.The Court erred in dismissing said cause
for the of such security

3.The plaintiff is now ready to give
any security the court may require a poor
person and unable to give such security

Williams and Bay
Attorney for plff

No 131

Thornton Kinney
vs
Hatcher

Mo. to set aside
order of dismissal
and to reinstate
cause

Williams
& Bay
for PlffFiled Febry 19 1856 Wm J. Hammond Clk