Celeste, a woman of color, represents that Alexander Papin illegally holds her in slavery, "contrary to the provisions of an ordinance passed by Congress of the United States." She informs the court that her mother Judy was born in Virginia and taken to Louisville, Kentucky, about 1796, where William Sullivan purchased her. Around 1798, Robert Bunton bought Judy and took her to a town in the Northwest Territory, where she was held in slavery for two years or more. Afterwards, Judy was sold to William Lecompt of St. Louis, where she has remained in slavery. Noting that she was born in St. Louis, Celeste "prays that she may be permitted to sue as a poor person in order to establish her right to freedom."
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed, granted.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
