Petition #21184310

Abstract

Louis Chouteau, a man of color, represents that his mother Rose was born in Montreal, Canada. About 1791, "a certain John Storke, an Indian Trader," took Rose to his trading Post at Prairie du Chien in the Northwest Territory. Following Storke's death in 1793 or 1794, Andrew Todd brought Rose to St. Louis and sold her to Mr. Didier, a priest and curate of St. Louis. Didier eventually sold Rose to Auguste Chouteau. After Chouteau's death, his personal estate was sold, and Gabriel S. Chouteau bought Louis, whom he continues to hold as a slave. Louis Chouteau therefore prays "that he may be permitted to Sue as a poor person for the obtaining of his freedom, and that Your Honor will make an order that he have reasonable liberty to attend his Counsel and the Court, and that he shall not be subjected to any Severity on account of his application for freedom, nor be removed out of the Jurisdiction of the court."

Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed; nonsuit declared twice; motions to set aside nonsuit sustained twice, granted.

12 people are documented within petition 21184310

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Citation information

Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri

Subjects