21183003https://dlas.uncg.edu/petitions/petition/21183003MissouriSt. LouisCounty2651830Circuit1761833Appellatepetition granted; plea of trespass filed, discontinued against James Duncan, amended, denied; motion for new trial denied, appealed, reversed and remanded207Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, MissouriRalph, "a man of colour," relates that James Duncan hired him out in Illinois and the Michigan Territory. He further reveals that he sued Duncan for his freedom in Illinois in 1827; however, the court dismissed the suit because Coleman Duncan was Ralph's actual owner. Ralph reports that Coleman Duncan fled the state before a suit could be filed against him and that "James Duncan kidnapped your petitioner & brought him to St. Louis." Ralph fears that "it is the intention of said James & Coleman to take your petitioner to some place where the fact of his freedom is unknown & sell him for a slave." He therefore prays that "he may be permitted to sue as a poor person to establish his freedom" and that he may be assigned counsel and "that such order may be made ... in his behalf as his personal safety requires."owner(s)/citizens manumit/free slaveSues for freedom (enslaved)Virtually free (enslaved)Jails/WorkhousesNon-plantation/Non-household work (enslaved)Skills (enslaved)Freedom seekersAssaultFear of enslavement