Patrick Henry, an infant boy of color represented by his mother and next friend, Maria Whiten, contends that Garland Rucker kidnapped him and his mother and is holding them as slaves. He puts forth that he was born a slave in Virginia, the property of Jesse Whiten. He further cites that they moved to Kentucky and then to Illinois, while under Whiten's ownership. The petitioner states that before his death in February 1829, the said Whiten "called upon witnesses and declared that it was his desire and his last will & testament that your petitioner and his mother should be free." Patrick Henry declares that he lived as a free person in Illinois until kidnapped by Rucker. He seeks permission "to institute suit by his next friend in forma pauperis to establish his right to freedom."
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
