Mary Robertson, a woman of color, asserts that she has "firm grounds on which she claims her right to freedom." She informs the court that her owner, Amos L. Corson, took her to Alton, Illinois, in early March 1841 and kept her there for four and a half months, "at labor in every respect as a slave" although slavery was "contrary to the Laws of Said State." On or about 24 July 1841, Corson sent her back to Missouri, where Ringrose D. Watson now holds her in slavery. Mary Robertson therefore "prays that your Honor will grant unto your petitioner leave to Sue as a poor person in order to establish her right to freedom."
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed, dismissed, reinstated, denied.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
