Thomas Jefferson, "a man of color," was born a slave in Virginia. He reports that his owner, Charles Drexter, transported him to St. Louis, where he resided for four years. Jefferson further represents that Dr. Samuel Prosser purchased him in 1839 and that "immediately after becoming the owner of your Petitioner" the said Prosser conveyed him to Illinois and "there held him to labor and service on his said Prosser's farm ... for a period of about Eight months." The petitioner cites that Prosser transported him back to Missouri, "fearing the interposition of the Authorities" in Illinois, and "there hired him out and now does and ever since has received the rewards of Petitioners labor." Now in the possession of Milton Hopkins, "who holds Petitioner in Slavery as a hireling from said Prosser," Jefferson "believes that he is entitled to his freedom and prays your Honor for leave to sue as a poor person ... in order to establish his right to freedom."
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed, denied.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
