{"petition":[{"petition_analysis_number":"21184005","petition_url":"https:\/\/dlas.uncg.edu\/petitions\/petition\/21184005","state":"Missouri","county":"St. Louis","location_type":"County","file_day":16,"file_month":5,"file_year":1840,"filing_court":"Circuit","end_day":16,"end_month":5,"end_year":1840,"ending_court":"Circuit","result":"petition granted; plea of trespass filed, transferred to court of common pleas, granted; defendant's motion for new trial filed","enslaved_count":2,"fpoc_count":0,"total_people_count":4,"repository":"Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri","abstract":"Charles was the slave of the Bishop of St. Louis and \"was engaged in whitewashing the House, in Painting and Plastering\" a nunnery in Cahokia, Illinois.  Now held in slavery by Rev. Peter Verhagen, Charles believes his history of working in Illinois entitles him to freedom.  He therefore \"prays that your Honor will grant him leave to Sue as a poor person, in order to establish his right to freedom.\"","subjects":[{"subject":"Sues for freedom (enslaved)"},{"subject":"Jails\/Workhouses"},{"subject":"Non-plantation\/Non-household work (enslaved)"},{"subject":"Skills (enslaved)"},{"subject":"Churches"},{"subject":"Assault"},{"subject":"Manumission"}]}]}