Anson and Michael, children of color, represent that their mother Matilda obtained her freedom more than thirteen years ago, "so adjudged by the courts of Missouri under the territorial government." They further recount that, after she was declared free, she moved to Illinois, where her children were born and where they lived "free and at liberty until this day," when they were "forcibly taken" from Illinois to St. Louis by Elijah Mitchell [Mitchel] and others. Contending that they are "now claimed as slaves," the petitioners fear they will be removed "by force beyond the jurisdiction of this court and state." Anson and Michael therefore "pray that they may be authorised to sue to establish their right to freedom" and that a writ of habeas corpus may issue "to prevent them being conveyed from the said jurisdiction."
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed, granted.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
