Harriet Robinson Scott
Item
Harriet Robinson Scott, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 2, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/108352
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Title
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Harriet Robinson Scott
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Description
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Harriet Robinson Scott was enslaved by Major Lawrence Taliaferro. When she was married to Dred Scott in the mid-1830s, Taliaferro transferred his claim over her to Dr. John Emerson. When Emerson died, the Scotts were bequeathed to Emerson's wife, Irene Emerson. The Scotts had two daughters, Eliza and Lizzie. In 1846, Harriet and Dred Scott went to court for their freedom. The case was eventually tried in the US Supreme Court as Dred Scott v. Sandford. The Scotts never gained their freedom in court. However, after her husband's death, Irene Emerson married Dr. Calvin Chaffee, who was against slavery. After Irene Emerson Chaffee’s brother died, Dr. Chaffee convinced her to transfer the Scotts to Taylor Blow, the son of Peter Blow, Dred Scott's enslaver before Dr. John Emerson. Blow then freed the Scott family.
Harriet Robinson Scott, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 2, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/108352
