John Johnson, a sixteen-year-old man of color, seeks his freedom. Johnson represents that he was born of free parents in the state of New York and came to New Orleans as a waiter for Celestine Troudou, wife of Major General James Wilkinson of the United States Army. In February 1816, Troudou sold the petitioner as a slave to Sosthene Allen. Johnson now works on a sugar plantation "where he has been held and treated as a slave in the most cruel manner." Johnson argues "that even if his parents were slaves in the State of New York yet by the laws of that state he was not liable to be held as a slave in the said State, after he had arrived at the age of 21 years. And by the laws of the said State had he been born a slave he was entitled to his freedom the moment he was removed beyond the limits of said State." In consequence of these facts, Johnson prays to be set free. He also asks that Sosthene Allen be condemned to pay him wages for his labor. He further prays to be sequestered and hired out by the sheriff until this suit is settled.
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana
