To the Honorable Luke E . Lawlep Judge of the third
Judicial Circuit for the state of missouri:

The petition of Judy a woman of color respectfully
represents that she was born in the state of Virginia
about the year seventeen hundred and eighty six and
when about ten or eleven years old was brought to Louis
-ville Kentucky and sold to a certain William Sullivan
who kept her for a short time as a slave and then
sold her to a certain Robert Bunton a resident of
the town of Vincennes supplied> in the north - western Territory.
That the said Bunton took your petitioner to the town
of Vincennes in the territory aforesaid about the
year seventeen hundred and ninety eight in which
place she was owned and continued to he held as a
slave by the said Bunton for the space of two years
or upwards. That after your petitioner had been
held and treated as a slave in the town of
and Territory aforesaid for the length of
time set forth above she was sent to Kaskas -
kia in the said Territory and some short time
afterwards sold to a certain William Lecompte
of the town of Saint Louis in the province of upper
Louisiana where she has remained in slavery ever
since. Your petitioner further represents that she is
now illegally held in slavery by a certain Berry Meachum , a free man of color
of saint Louis contrary to the provisions of an ordiance
passed by the congress of the United States on the 13th day
of July 1787. Your petitioner therefore prays that she
may be permitted to sue as a poor person in or-
der to establish her right to freedom, that counsel
be assigned her for that purpose and finally
that your Honor may grant the usual orders in
such cases and as in duty bound will ever pray
& C

Judy her mark a woman of
color

State of missouri
Saint Louis County
Ss.

This day Judy a woman of color appeared be-
fore the and a justice of the peace in and for the county
aforesaid and made oath that the matters and things in the
foregoing petition are true as form as they depend upon
her own knowledge and those coming from the information
of others she believed to be true.

Judy her mark a woman of
color Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 9th day of January 1837 Walsh Justice Justice

1st It is hereby ordered that Judy
a woman of color be permitted to sue as a poor person for
the recovery of her freedom and that J.W. Risque be assigned
her as counsel for that purpose.

2d. That the said Judy have reasonable liberty to attend
her counsel and the court as occasion may require
that she be not removed out of the juridiction
of the court, and that she be not subject to
any security on account of her application for
freedom.

21st Jan 1837,
Judge St. Louis

Judy
vs
Meachum

Petition to sue in
forman

Circuit Court march Term 1837.

Saint Louis County to wit

Judy a woman of color by F W Pisque
her attorney complains of Berry Meachum
of a plea of trespass for false imprison-
ment: For that whereas the said Meachum
heretofore to wit on the 2nd day of January
1837 at the county aforesaid with force and
arms made an assault upon the said
Judy to wit, at & and then and there
beat bruised and ill treated her the said Ju-
dy and then and there imprisoned her and
kept and detained her in prison there without
any probable or resonable cause what-
soever for a long space of time to wit
for the space of then next following
contrary to the act of the
in such case made and provided and against
the consent of the said Judy
And the said Judy that before and
at the time of the committing of the said
she was and still is
a free person and that the said Meachum
held and still holds her in slavery to the
damage of the said plaintiff $ 300, and
therefore she brings suit &

F.W .Risque
Counsel for
plaintiff.

No Circuit Court march Term
1837.

Judy
vs
Meachum

Declaration

This is an action for
false imprisonment
in form a
for the recovery of
freedom. Damage
$ 300. The clerk will
issue a summons.

F.W .Risque

State of missouri
Saint Louis County
SS.

This day Francis Creli personally
appeared before the undersigned a justice of
the peace for the county aforesaid and made
oath that he was born in the town of Vincennes
in the north - western Territory and was well
acquainted with a Mr Robert who lived
in the same place and who owned two female
slaves both named Judy the one called old
Judy being the mother of a family and the other
called little Judy . That he is under the impression that little Judy was brought from the state of Kentucky
some where between the year 1800 &
1806 and remained at Vincennes in the employment
and as the slave of the said Bunton for
one or two years, probably until the year 1806
when the owners of slaves becoming alarmed at
the prospect of loosing their slaves where Indiana
should be made a free state, a
great number were off, and among other
little Judy - This affiant afterwards moved
to the town of Saint Louis where he saw
and recognised little Judy as she was called.
who was owned by the late william Lecompte .
And further this affiant saith not

Sworn to and subscribed before
this 9th day of January AD 1837 Justice Francis his mark Crely

Judy
vs
Meachum

Affidavit of
Francis Crele

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

We command you to ummon Berry Meachum is 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 second monday of March next - then
and there to answer unto Judy of a plea of Tres pass
for false imprisonment, to the damage of said plain-
tiff of three hundred Dollars. - and have you then there
this writ.

Witness John Ruland Clerk
aforesaid Court and the Seal
thereof hereto affixed at office
in the City of St. Louis this ninth
day of January Eighteen hundred
and thirty seven Jn. Ruland Clerk

1st. It is hereby ordered that Judy a woman of color to permitted to
sue as a poor person for the recovery of her freedom and that F. W . Risque
be assigned her as counel for that purpose.

2nd - That the said Judy 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 9th Jany 1837.

L. E. Lawless Judge C Court C. St. Louis A true copy of the orders on the petition.
Attest. Jn. Ruland Clerk

Executed this writ by Reading it and
the declaration & petition and also the
order made by the honorable Judge

to the within named Berry Meachum
on the 10th day of January 1837 in
the county of St. Louis

James Brotherton By M Brotherton Service $ 1.00

We of the Jury find for the plaintiff
and assess her damages to one cent.

J R forman

No 40. St. Louis Circuit Court
March Term 1837.

Judy -
vs
Berry Meachum

This is an action of trespass
for false imprisonment

Dam. $300.

J. W. Risque for PtffFiled Jany 9th 1837 Jn. Ruland Clerk

Judgment by default and damages - Book 8 page 304

We of the jury find for
for the that

County Of St Louis , Sct.
The State Of Missouri ,To any Judge or Justice of the Peace or other Judicial officer of the State of Indiana
Greeting:

We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and circumspection, do au-
thorize and require you, that you cause to come before you, such person or persons as shall
be named to you by Judy , her
Attorney or Agent, and him or them examine upon his, her or their corporal oath, (to be by
you administered,) touching their knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain mat-
ter of controversy, now pending in our Circuit Court , for the county of St. Louis , wherein
Judy , is
plaintiff and Berry meachum is
defendant on the part of the the plaintiff and having so reduced
the said depositions so taken by you as aforesaid in writing, you are required to send the
same, together with this commission, enclosed under your seal, to our said Circuit Court ,
with all convenient speed.

Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Cir-
cuit Court, at the City of St. Louis , this 28th
day of June in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven. John Ruland Clerk C.C.

Saint Louis Circuit Court

Judy
vs
Berry Meachum

Dedimus to take Depositions for plaintiff

To, Berry ,

Sir, take notice that on friday the
twenty first day of the present month (July) between
the hours of eight o clock A.M and of seven o,
clock P.M at the tavern of John C Clark in the town
of Vincennes in the state of Indiana I shall take de-
positions of witnesses which when take are intended to
be read as evidance upon the trial of an action of
trespass for false imprisonment in forma pauperis
for the recovery of freedom, now depending in the
Circuit court of Saint Louis county in which I am
plaintiff and you are defendant and if the taking
of the said depositions should not be completed on
that day they will be continued from day to day be-
tween the same hours and at the same place, when
and where you may attend if you think proper.

Judy a woman of
color by J.W. Risque her attorney. Saint Louis July 5th 1837

State of missouri
Saint Louis County
Sct.

This day woodson A. Burton personally
appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace
in and for the county aforesaid and made oath that
he did on wednesday the 5th of july 1837deliver to
Berry Meachum the within named defendant a true
copy of the within notice.

woodson A Burton Sworn to and subscribed
before me this fourteen
day of July 1837 James J Justice of the Peace St Louis
County

Page 1st.

Depositions of Witnesses produced, sworn and examined
at the Tavern of John C Clark in the Town of Vincennes in the
County of Knox and State of Indiana before one Samuel Hill
a Justice of the peace in and for said Town and County
in a certain cause now depending in the Circuit Court of
Saint Louis County in the State of Missouri between
Judy a woman of color plaintiff and Berry Meachum deft.
on the part of the plff.

Daniel Strother a man of Color of lawful age being produced
sworn and examined on the part of the plaintiff deposeth
and saith

Question By plffs. atty. Are you acquainted with Robert Buntin Jr .
Answer - Yes.

By same In what year did you become acquainted with him
Ans. 2 I think it was in the year 1793 -

By same. when did he reside when you first knew him
Ans. Here in Vincennes .

By same, Has he resided here ever since?

Ans. He has resided in Vincennes until about five
years. ago, when he moved to the Country and now
lives in this ( Knox ) County

By same; was he or was he not the owner of slaves
at any time during his residence in Vincennes ?

answer. He was the owner of Indented servants
a good many.But never owned any slaves. He
(Mr. Buntin ) did not come to Vincennes until after
the ordinance of 1787.

By same. What were their names and ages?

ans. Old Judy & husband William and two children
Sarah and Louisa. Nancy Phillis and Young Judy -
By same - what was the age of Judy (the plff) when
you first know her?

Page 2nd.

Ans.. She appeared to be between thirteen or fourteen
young looking.

By same. What was her size, color &c. at the time referred
to in the last question?

ans. She was a well grown girl, but grew a good
deal after Mr. Buntin got her. she was dark. she was
large tall, and heavy before she left here perhaps would
have weighed 150 or 160.

By same. In what year did Robert Buntin bring Judy
to Vincennes ; and from whom and where did he by
her?

ans. Capt., R . Buntin did not bring her here. She was
brought to Vincennes I think in 1796. By a woman
who called herself Mrs. McCue from whom Buntin bought
her. - She (Mrs. McCue ) ) said she came from Virginia
she boarded with Mr. Buntin and was in want of money
and sold Plff to Mr. Buntin to raise some.

Question by same. How long did she remain in the
possession and under the control of Robert Buntin ?

ans. Four or five years or thereabout

By same. was she or was she not sent off from
Vincennes - if so state - in what year and in
whose custody?

ans. She went from Buntins custody into that of
Touissant Dubois ? die? which was the last I knew
of her. she disappeared all once from Vincennes
without my knowing how - Mr. Dubois was a
man - and I dont know wheter he took or sent her
off I heard that Mr. Dubois employed aFrenchman
by the name of Genereux to take her away to New
Madrid the first I heard of her afterwards was

Page 3d.

That she was at Kaskaskia . with Pierre Menard .
By same. Have you or have you not seen her since
her departure?

Ans. I have not- I have frequently heard though
that she was at St Louis .
and further
This deponent saith not-

Daniel his Strother
mark

I Samuel Hill a Justice of the Peace in
and for Vincennes Knox County Indiana
do hereby certify that Daniel Strother the
deponent where place of residence is in
Vincennes in the State of Indiana was by
me sworn to tesify the whole truth to
his knowledge touching the matter in
controversy in the cause aforesaid. That Deponent was examined, and his examin-
ation reduced to writing and subscribed
by said Deponent in my presence on the
Twentyfirst day of July in the year Eighteen
Hundred and Thirty seven. Between
the hours of Eight O'Clock in the forenoon
and of seven O'Clock in the afternoon at the
Tavern of John C Clark in the town of
Vincennes in the County of Knox State
of Indiana . Given and certified this
21st day of July 1837

Samuel Hill

Page 4th

Peggy , Pelkie. a woman of color. being produced, sworn
and examined on the part of the plaintiff deposeth
and saith

Question By Plffs atty. Are you acquaninted with Robert
Buntin Jr . ?

Ans. I am

By same- In what year did you first know him

Ans. I knew him first about 1793-

By same- Has he resided here, and have you known
him ever since-?

Ans. I have been acquanted with him ever
since- and mr. Buntin has lived in Town or the
neighbourhood ever since- I was a good due in
his family-

By same- was he or was he not the owner of
slaves at any time during his residence in
Vincennes ?

Ans- He had slaves, all that came on first were
slaves- we had then no indentures

By same- what were their names.

Ans Old Judy and young Judy Sally, Louisa
and William .

By same- What was the age of young Judy when
you first knew her

Ans- about thirteen or fourteen I think

By same- What was her size, color at the time
you first saw her

Ans.Black, and midling large

By same- In what year did Robert Buntin Jr .
bring Judy to Vincennes and from whom and
where did he By her?

Page 5th
Ans. I dont know where he bought her nor who
from- and I dont know the time she brough was
brought here exactly- She was brought though
I think by Mrs. McCue about 1796-

Que By same- How long did she remain with
Robert Buntin and under his control

Ans. about three or four years I think it
has been so long that I cant tell the time
exactly.

By same- Was she or was she not sent off
from Vincennes . if so state in what year
and in whose custody-?

Ans. I dont know and cant tell who took
her away- She was first taken to T . Dubois
and from there was first taken away as was supposed
Then to Illinois - but it was not certainly known
where nor by whom but Mr. Menard was
believed to be the one that took her-

By same- Were you Bound or indented when Judy
was here-

Ans. I was. and had been bound about three
years before she came- was brought
further this deponent saith not.

her
Peggy Pelkia
mark

I samuel Hill a Justice of the peace in and
for Vincennes . Knox County Indiana do hereby
certify that Peggy Pelkia the deponent whose
place of residence is in Vincennes in the state
of Indiana was by me sworm to testify the whole
truth of her knowledge touching the matter
in controversy in the cause aforesaid- That
Page 6th
deponent was examined, and his examination
reduced to writing and subscribed by said
deponent in my presence on the Twenty first
day of July in the year eighteen hundred and
thirty seven, Between the hours of eight O Clock in
the forenoon and of seven O Clolk in the afternoon
at the Tavern of John C Clark in the Town of Vincennes
in the County of Knox and state of Indiana
Given and certified this 21st day of July 1837.

Samuel Hill
Justice Peace

De la Hailandiere of Lawful age being produced
sworn and examined on the part of the Plaintiff
deposeth and saith

. That the paper hereto annexed
and affixed as an extract from the Register of the Chapel
of St . Xavier of Vincenes is a correct copy
marked A

Dela Hailandiere

I Samuel Hill a Justice of the Peace in and for the
Borough of Vincennes . Knox County Indiana . do hereby
certify that De La Hailandiere . The deponent whose place
of residence is in Vincennes Knox County of was by
me affirmed to testify the whole truth of his knowledge
touching the matter in controversy in the cause aforesaid
that deponent was examined and his examination
reduced to writing and subscribed by said deponent
in my presence on the twenty first day of July in
the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven.

page 7th.

Between the hours of eight o clock in the forenoon
and of seven O'clock of the afternoon at the Tavern
of John C Clark in the Town of Vincennes in the
County of Knox and State of Indiana

Given and certified the21st day of July 1837. Samuel Hill
Justice Peace

Not being able to complete the taking
of said Depositions, by reason of the
age and infirmity of one of the
witnesses. I adjourn the further taking
of the same until tomorrow then to
be continued at the same place and
between the said hours mentioned is
the annexed notice

Samuel HillJuly 21 1837

Pursuant to the adjournment as afore
stated on the twenty second day of
July Eighteen Hundred and thirty seven
between the hours of eight o'clock AM
and seven o'clock P.M at the Tavern
of John C Clark in the town of Vin
-cennes County of Knox State of Indian
I continued the taking of said Depo
sitions as follows.

Robert Buntin of lawful age being produced, sworn
and examined, on the part of the plaintiff deposeth and
saith

Page 8th.

Question By plff. atty. In what your did you come to Vincennes
Ans I came to Vincennes in april or May 1793 -

By same Have you ever been the owner of slaves - since
your residence in Vincennes . ?

ans. I have been the owner of Black people. I bought them
all generally with the intention of liberating them
I bought them all after 1787-

The first I boughts was William - and Judy his
wife and Sally her oldest child. I bought also
afterwards young Judy . from William Sullivan
in the year 1799. as appears by his Bill of Salel to
me hereto annexed and made part of this deposition
By same - Did you know one Mrs. McCue . about 1796
who resided in Vincennes ?

ans. I know a Mrs. Chew . who resided in the Garrison
adjoining my residence. she was brought in
by the Indians and represented herself as the
wife of a Mr. Chew who she said was killed
by the Indians whilst trading down the River
as she represented - I was acting
as Quartermaster and Commissary to the Garrison
by order of the Commanding officer -
General Wilkinson

By same. Was Young Judy brought to Vincennes
about the time that Mrs. Chew was brought
in by the Indians - or was she not?

ans. Yes Mrs. Chew I think was brought in
before some time - but near about the same
time.

By same. How long did you own young Judy
am. I dont know perhaps two, three, or four years.

page 9th

By same who did you sell her to?

ans - I cant be positive but I believe I transferred
her to Touissant Dubois - I am pretty sure of it
but will not state so positively - I heard
that he, afterwards, I think had sold her
to Pierre Menard . This was she common report

By same - Did you or did you not sell her as a
slave - state if so how you sold her

ans - I did not sell her as a slave - I believe I
never sold any black or blacks or slaves.
I think I sold her with her indentures for
fifteen years - she was bound to me for
a certain length of time - to repay me the
amount I had expended for her - and I sold
only her services for the tme specified in
her indenture whatever it was which I cant
certainly recollect it has been so long Since
But believe it was fifteen years - from the
time she was bound - I generally took an inden-
turefor this time

By same - Did you or did you not bring young
Judy to Vincennes from Kentucky

ans - I bought her in Louisville and brought her
to this place immediately -
and further this deponent says not

R . Buntin

State of Indiana
Knox County

I Samuel Hill a Justice
of the Peace in and for Vincennes Knox County
Indiana Do hereby Certify that Robert Buntin
the Deponent place of residence is
Knox County in the State of Indiana was by me
sworn to testify the whole truth to his knolwedge
touching the controversy in the cause aforesaid
That Deponent was examined and his examination
reduced to writing and Subscribed by saidDeponent
in my presence on the twenty second day of July
eighteen hundred and thirty seven betwen the
hours of eight o' clock in the forenoon and of
seven o'clock in the afternoon at the Tavern
of John CClark in the town of Vincennes
County of Knox State of Indiana Given and
certified this Twenty second day of July Eighteen
Hundred and Thirty seven

Samuel Hill

State of Indiana
Knox County

I Samuel Hill a justice of the
Peace within and for the County of Knox
State of do Certify that in
pursuance of the annexed commissouri
and notice came before me at the tavern
of John C Clark in the town of Vincennes
County and State aforesaid Daniel Strother
Peggy Pelkia De Hailandiere and
Robert Buntin the precceeding witnesses who
were by one sworn and examined and
such examination reduced to writing and
subscribed by them respectively in my

presence and their said Depositions are
now herewith returned. Given at
Vincennes in the County of Knox State
of Indiana this 22nd day of July Eighteen
Hundred and Thirty seven

Samuel Hill Justice fees . 2.50 Witness fess 1.75 Amount paid by Plaintiff agent in
full Woodson a Burton July 22 1837 Samuel Hill

State of Indian
Knox County

I Alexander D Scott Clerk
of the Knox Circuit Court do hereby Certify
that Samuel HillEsq on friday and Saturday
the twenty first and twenty Second days of July
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty sevenwas and now is
an acting Justice of the Peace within and
for the County of Knox and State of Indiana
duly Commisioned and acting as such
and that full faith an credit are due his acts
as Such

In testimony where of I Alexander
D. Scott Clerk swornhereunto Subscribed
my name and affixed the Seal of office
this 22 day of July Eighteen hundred
and thirty seven A D Scott
By WRM Cord D .C. Clerks fee $ .30 Amt paid by plaintiff agent in full
Woodson A Burton W. R.M .Cord DC

No 40 March Term 1837

Judy
vs
Berry Meachum

Depositions

Filed 26th July 1837 John Ruland Clerk

A
Extrait des registres debaptismedelaparoisse de St Francois
Xavier de Vincennes - pour l'annee 1792- page 207.
on writ suit: —

he six Mart Mil Cort quatre vingt douze por nous
P. a ete ondoye francois ne
du legitime mariage de Jerome et de Therese
ses frere et mere. L'enfant ne letrois du present
le parrain Francois Cantame et la marraine Francoise
Bergenot que le paroisse qui a signe avec nous

Signe au registre Contet my. P. Mallet.
an lesceremonies du baptime out ete
par moi Flaget , .

pour copie conforme au registre, Vincennes
le 20 juillet 1837.De la Hailandiere

Know all men by these presents that I William Sullivan
of the County of Jefferson and State of Kentucky for &
in Consideration of the Sum of Two Hundred and fifty
Dollars to me in hand paid have this day bargained
sold and delivered unto Robert Bunten of Knox
County a Negro Woman named Juda being the
some that I purchased of Peter Macey, about sixteen
years old the said Negro Women I will warrant
and defend from the claim of all persons whatever
Witness my hand and seal this twenty second day of
October 1799(nine)

William Lullivem Witness .

Annexed to Deposition of:
R Buntin - in case of Judy
v B Meachum -

Bill of sale

Sullivan
to
Bunton

a Negro girl