Deposition of Adeline Russell

Item

“Deposition of Adeline Russell”. Second Circuit Court Trial, 1849-1850, 1849, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 6, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/108491

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Filing Name: Deposition of Adeline Russell
Description: Deposition of Adeline Russell on behalf of plaintiff, signed by Adeline Russell; filed December 20, 1849
Date: 1849-12-20
Is Part Of: Second Circuit Court Trial, 1849-1850
Identifier: dre1847.0068.069
Case ID: ccr1849.0000.066
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
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Transcription: **Item Page 1**

> Image file: ds49front.jpg
> Document: Deposition of Adeline Russell
> Legal Function: Deposition

DEPOSITION~~S~~ of witness~~es~~ produced, sworn, and examined, at
Mr. James Russell in the City and County of
St. Louis, State of Missouri, before me, JOHN H. WATSON, Law Commissioner
for the said County, in ~~a~~ two certain causes now pending in the St. Louis Circuit
Court
State of Missouri, between Dread Scott & Harriet his wife
plaintiffs, and
Irene Emmerson
defendant, on the part of the plaintiffs

Adeline Russell of lawful age, being duly sworn and
examined on the part of the plaintiff deposeth and saith:--

I didn’t know Doct. Emmerson; I was acquainted
with Mrs. Emmerson. I have known her
eight or ten or twelve years. I know the plaintiffs
in these suits - they were in my service
for two years about that time. I have known
them some four or five years. They were under the
control of Mrs. Emmerson. I engaged them
of Mrs. Emmerson, but they were delivered to
me by Mr. Sanford, her father. Mrs. Emmerson
claimed these negroes as her slaves.
~~so they were her slaves~~ I do not recollect if I heard Mrs. Emmerson
^ say they were her slaves ^
I do not recollect if I paid for their services
to Mrs. Emmerson or Mr. Sanford as her
agent. I think Mr. Russell paid for
their services. I think it has been between
2 & 3 years since they left my house.
I think Mrs. Emmerson resided up the
Mississippi ^ or Missouri ^ river some years before they were in my
service. At the time I hired these negroes they
were in the service of Col. Bainbridge.

Cross examination
The only way I know these negroes belonged to
Mrs. Emmerson is that she hired them to me.
I think it probable that both Mrs. Emmerson &
Mr. Sanford, at times received pay for their services.
I do not know if the plaintiffs resided up the
Mississippi or Missouri river. I do not know if
Mr. Sanford was the agent of Mrs. Emmerson or the
owner of the negroes.

*A Russell*

**Item Page 2**

> Image file: ds49back.jpg

> Legal Function: Caption

State of Missouri
County of St. Louis ss

I, “The Law Commissioner
of St. Louis County” do hereby certify that
Adeline Russell the deponent was by me
duly sworn to testify the whole truth of her
Knowledge in the matters in controversy in
the causes aforesaid; that said deponent
was examined & her examination reduced to
writing by me & subscribed by said deponent at
the residence of James Russell in the City &
County of St. Louis in the State of Missouri
on the 20th day of December AD 1849.: and
that the foregoing deposition was taken by
consent of party’s __

In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand &
official seal this 20th day of December A.D. 1849
John H. Watson. The Law Commissioner of
St. Louis County
Philip C. Mauro, Dpt.

> Legal Function: Caption

Opened & filed Decr. 20. 1849
M. S. Cerre clk

Dred Scott
vs.
Irene Emerson

&
Harriet his wife
vs.
Same

> Legal Function: Law Commissioner‘s fees

Law Comms fees for deps $0.75
Service, out of office .75
Pd by Pltff $1.50

Item sets: Dred Scott Collection; Second Circuit Court Trial, 1849-1850