Joseph Robidoux v. Jeremiah Conner
Item
Joseph Robidoux V. Jeremiah Conner. 1817, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 6, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60582
- Case Title
- Joseph Robidoux v. Jeremiah Conner
- Series
- Fur Trade
- Plaintiff
- Robidoux, Joseph
- Defendant
- Connor, Jeremiah
- Date Filed
- 1817-04-25
- Filing Date
- 1817-04-25
- Plaintiff’s Attorney
- Wash, Robert
- Court Name
- St. Louis Circuit Court
- Court Term
- 1817-08
- Clerk
- Leduc, Marie Philip
- McGirk, Andrew S.
- Gamble, Archibald
- Sheriff
- Thompson, John W.
- Carr, A. P.
- Sworn Declarant
- Morin, Michel
- Navales, Joseph
- Renna, Manuel
- Hutchison, Nathaniel
- Eley, Michael
- Cause of Action
- Trespass
- Case Notes
- For carrying goods on a keelboat from Fort Cooper to Fort Osage.
- Case Number
- 2
- Identifier
- ccr1817.01205.028
- Source
- Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- PDF Download
- Download PDF of all images
- Transcription
-
**Joseph Robidoux v. Jeremiah Conner**
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**Page 1** (1205_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*
County of St Louis
Circuit Court
Joseph Robidoux by R. Wash
his Attorney complains of Jeremiah Conner of
a plea of trespass on the case, for that the said
Jeremiah on the first day of April eighteen
hundred and seventeen at the County aforesaid, was indebted to the said Joseph in the sum
of five hundred dollars, as will for carrying
and transporting on board of a certain keel
boat belonging to the said Joseph divers goods
wares and merchandise of the said Jeremiah
from the town of St Louis to wit at the County
aforesaid to a certain place called Fort Osage
on the Missouri river to wit at the County
aforesaid at the special instance and request
of the said Jeremiah ; and also, for carrying and
transporting as aforesaid a certain Clerk in the
employ & doing the business of the said Jeremiah at
his like special instance & request, from the town
of St Louis aforesaid to Fort Osage aforesaid:-
And being so indebted the said Jeremiah in
consideration thereof, afterwards to wit, the day
and year aforesaid at the County aforesaid upon
himself did assume and unto the said Joseph , then
and there faithfully promised that he the said
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**Page 2** (1205_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*
Jeremiah the said sum of five hundred dollars
would will & truly pay unto the said Joseph when-
-ever he should be thereunto afterwards required;
And for that the said Joseph on or
about the first day of the month of November
eighteen hundred & sixteen at the town of St. Louis
at the County aforesaid took & received on board
a certain keel boat belonging to him the said
Joseph divers goods, wares & merchandize of the
said Jeremiah contained in divers hands
boxes & keggs, weighing in all a great weight
to writ, the weight of twenty thousand which he
the said Joseph agreed to & with the [illegible]
to carry & Transport for the said Jeremiah to a
certain place called Fort Osage on the Missouri
river to wit at the County aforesaid: for which
the said Jeremiah undertook & promised to pay
him the said Joseph at the rate of two dollars
& seventy five cents per hundred weight as the
price of the freight of the aforesaid goods wares
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible];- And the said Joseph [illegible]
that he did long since carry & Transport the goods
wares & merchandize aforesaid to Fort Osage
aforesaid; whereby the said Jerimah became
bound & unable to pay the said Joseph the further
sum of five hundred & fifty dollars the amount
of the fright of the aforesaid goods wares & merchan-
dize, wherenever he the said Jeremiah should be
---
**Page 3** (1205_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*
thereunto afterwards requested; and being so liable
afterwards to wit, the day & year aforesaid at
the County aforesaid promised in consideration
thereof so to do.
And for that the said Jeremiah on the
day & year last aforesaid at the County afore=
=said, was indebted to the said Joseph other
five hundred dollars as well for divers goods
wares & merchandise before that time sold
& delivered by the said Joseph to the said
Jeremiah , and for divers sums of money before
that time advanced, paid, laid out & expanded by the
said Joseph to & for the use of the said Jeromiah
[illegible] dict & cooling provided & furnished
by the said Joseph for & to the clerk of the [illegible]
Jeremiah all at the like special instance and
request of the said Jeremiah , and being so
indebted the said Jeromiah in consideration thereof.
afterwards to wit the day & year & at the county
aforesaid undertook & faithfully promised the
said Joseph to pay him the sum of money last
aforesaid whereas he should be thereunto after-
=wards requested; Neverthless the said
Jeremiah his promises & assumptions aforesaid
not regarding, the sums of money aforesaid
nor either nor any part of either get hath not
paid, (although so to do the said Jeremiah hath
been often requested; to wit, the day & year
---
**Page 4** (1205_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*
aforesaid & on divers other days before the
times forth of the Plantiffs writ; but the same
to the said Joseph to pay hitherto hath wholly
refused & doth still reform to his damage seven
hundred dollars & the reform he brings suit
*R. Wash Atty.
P. Q.=*
> *Legal Function: Notice*
Jeremiah Conner the above named defendant is
hereby notified that he will be required to produce at
the trial of the above cause the receipt or Bill of
-lading given by the said Joseph to the said Jeremiah
for & on account of the promises above complained
of.
*Joseph Robidoux
by his Atty
R. Wash*
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Answer*
The deft. says comes and defends the [illegible] &
when [illegible] and says that he did not assume upon himself in manner and form
[illegible]
> *Legal Function: Caption*
No: 2 St. Louis Circuit Court
August term 1817.
Joseph Robidoux
vs
Jeremiah Conner
Narr.[?]
This is an action of trespass
or the case. Let a summons
issue, to the Pltffs[?] damage
$.700-
*M.P. Low
J C C C J Louis R. Wash
Atty P. Q. Summons issued filed April 25th 1817 M. P. Ledue Clk April 25*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this unit in the Term and
County of St. Louis May 20th 1817
By Reading the Same to John
Conner the within named Defend
dant and informing him the
Contents of the Same
*A. P. Carr D Shff for J. W . Thompson Shff Services, 80 A D in the case*
---
**Page 5** (1205_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons of Defendant*
Missouri Territory
St Louis County In the United States of America to the Sheriff
of said County of St Louis Greeting
We command you to Summon Jeremiah Conner that he be and
appear before the Judge of our Circuit Court to be held at the
town of St. Louis within and for the County of St Louis on
the first Monday of August next then there to answer
Joseph Robidoux of a plea of trespass on the case to the damage
of the said Joseph seven hundred dollars and have you then
[illegible] there this writ.
*Witness M. P. Leduc Clerk of and Said Court
at the town of St Louis this twenty fifth
day of April in the year of Lord one thousa-
nd eight hundred and seventeen and of our
Independence the forty first. M. P. Clerk*
---
**Page 6** (1205_006.jpg)
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**Page 7** (1205_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order to Execute Writ of Dedimus*
Territory of Missouri
County of St Louis
Ss The United Sates
of America to any
Judge on Justice of the peace of the County
of Howard Greeting
We reposing Special trust and confidence
in your in dignity and in cause [illegible] do
require and command, you that you cause to
come before you Such persons or that he named
to you by Joseph Robidoux , and there exami
ne upon their corporal oath to be by you
administrated, touching their knowledge of
any thing that may retake to certain
controversy now pending in and said Court,
between Joseph Robidoux plaintiff and
Jerimiah Conner defendant, on the post
of the Plaintiff, and having reduced
the deposition so taken by you as aforesaid
to writing, you (send the same) with this
commission under your hand and
Seal to this Court, with all [illegible]
speed
*Witness Mary Shilp[?] Ledue Clerk of our said*
---
**Page 8** (1205_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order to Execute Writ of Dedimus*
Court at the Town of Saint
Louis this fourth day of
November in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight
hundred and Seventeen
and of the American Inde
penduence the forty Second
*M. P. Ledue Clerk By
A. P. McGirk D Clk*
> *Legal Function: Order*
Jeremiah Common
ads
Joseph Robidoux
In Vacation November
10th 1817
On motion of Mc work[?]
attorney for the Plaintiff it is Rubd that
a [illegible] [illegible] to any Judge or Justice of
the plan of the County of Howard to take
the depositions of witnesses on the part of the
Plaintiff
*M. P. Ledue Clk By
A. P. Clk True Copy of Rule M. P. Ledue Clk By
A. P. Clk*
---
**Page 9** (1205_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Notice to Defendant of Taking of Depositions*
To Jeremiah Conner, the above named
Defendant - Sir. - Phase to take notice
that on saturday the 27th day of December
next between the hours of ten oclk in the
forenoon & four oclk in the afternoon of
that day, I will proceed to take the depositions
of witnesses at the clerks office in the
County of Howard before some compotant
authority; to be read in roidence on the
trial of the above suit.
*St Louis Decr. 2nd 1817 Your obdt. [illegible] Joseph Robidoux
by
R. Wash his [illegible]*
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**Page 10** (1205_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*
J Conner
ads
J Robedouse
Dedimus
---
**Page 11** (1205_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena*
Territory Of Missouri , County Of St. Louis , Sct The United States of America to the Sheriff of said county Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon Michel Morin
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper
person before the judge of our circuit court on the twelfth day of February
at the town of St. Louis , then there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of
controversy now pending in our said court, wherein Joseph Robidouse
is plaintiff and Jeremiah Connor defendant, on the
part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.
*Witness Mary P. Leduc , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of
St. Louis , this third day of December in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen and of the Inde-
pendence of the United States , the forty second M. P. Leduc Clerk of St. L . C. C. by
[illegible] McGirk DClerk[?]*
---
**Page 12** (1205_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*
St. Louis Circuit Court
February Term 1818.
Joseph Robidoux
vs
Jeremiah Conner
[illegible]
*for Michel Morin St Louis County Febry
12th 1817. Wash atty for Ptff[?]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Not found
*[illegible] [illegible] 50 [illegible] Sf[?]*
---
**Page 13** (1205_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Deposition*
The Testimony of Nathaniel Hitchison taken between
the hours of ten of the Clock in the [illegible] forenoon & four of
the Clock in the afternoon of the 27th day of December in
the year Eighteen hundred & seventeen before me the undesign
Justice of the peace of Howard County Missouri Territory
[illegible] the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Said
County & Territory afforesaid in pursuance of the annexed
notice and in obedience to the anexed Dedimus
the Deponent being of Lawfull[?] age Sayeth[?]
Question by George Tampkins[?] for plaintiff
Tell what you no in this case
And, Jeremiah Connor Wrote to me to going to Cooper
Fort to as just his Clerk in packing up his goods
Question by same what goods were these
[illegible] I do not understand the question
Question by the same Tell if you can what weight of
goods Comes there at that time and where they were
brought from to that place and who brought them and
in what manner
And as to the weight of goods Jean only say I believe there
were four Naggou loads but think they were small loads
these were hauled from fort Cooper and put in Robidoux
boat to be taken to fort Osage I understood from Mr
Conner that these goods were shiped at St Louis for Fort
Osage an board Robidoux boat
Question by same Tell if you no she cause of their dropping
at Fort Cooper & Who was the Clerk for Mr Conner
Ans I Learned from various sources & I think from Mr
Conner that the cause of their mapping at Fort Cooper
was their not being able to [illegible] the never in consequence [illegible]
of the Lee and Patrick Crowly was then his Clerks
*Nathaniel Hutchison*
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**Page 14** (1205_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jurat*
to and The deposition written on the other side
the paper was Sworn to and subscribed by the said Hutchison before me
the undersigned Justices of the peace on the day and
year within mentioned in pursuance of the anexed[?]
Dedimus Given under my hand & seal this day & date within mentioned and in pursuance of the anexed
*George Burckhartt J.[?] P. H. C*
> *Legal Function: Certificate*
Dedimus I send it and this Deposition enclosed under my
hand and seal to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of St
Louis County Missouri Territoy.
In testimony
whereof I the said justice of the peace have here-
unto set my hand &[?] the day & year aforesaid
*Georg D. Burckhaith Justice of the peace of Howard County
and Missouri Territory To Writing two hundred & eighty seven words [illegible] \$028
6 1/4[?] Swearing Deponent*
---
**Page 15** (1205_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
filed January 6th 1818
M. P. Ledue Clk by
A. P. Mc. Girk
DClrk[?]
> *Legal Function: Caption*
To the Clerk of the Circuit
Court St Louis County
> *Legal Function: Certificate*
[illegible] of NathanielHutchinson taken between
the the hours of ten in the forenoon
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**Page 16** (1205_016.jpg)
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**Page 17** (1205_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena*
Territory Of Missouri , County Of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America to the Sheriff of said county
Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon Joseph Navales and
Manuel Renna
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper
person before the judge of our circuit court on the 16th day of Febry. 1818
at the town of St. Louis , then there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of
controversy now pending in our said court, wherein Joseph Robidoux
is plaintiff and Jeremiah Connor defendant, on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.
*Witness Mary P. Leduc , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of
St. Louis , this 16th day of Febry in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and of the Inde-
pendence of the United States , the forty second. M. P. Leduc Clerk of St. L . C. C. by [illegible] McGirk DClk*
---
**Page 18** (1205_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*
J. Robidoux
vs
J Conner
supd
July Term 1818
---
**Page 19** (1205_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order to Execute Writ of Dedimus*
Territory of Missouri
County of St Louis In the United States
of America to any Judge
on Justice of the peace of the County of St Louis
Greeting
We reposing Special trust and [illegible]
-[illegible] in your in tightly and [illegible]
[illegible], do you [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
you that you cause to come before you
such persons as that he named to said by Joseph
Robidoux and there examined upon
their coporal[?] oath to be by you administered touching their knowledge of anything
that may retake to a certain suit now
pending in our Circuit Court wherein
Joseph Robidoux is plaintiffs and Jeremi
-ah Connor is defendant, on the
part of the plaintiff, and having [illegible]
-nd the deposition to taken by you as
aforesaid to writing you land the
same under your hand and seal
to this office with this [illegible]
*Witness M P Leduc Clerk of our
said Court at St Louis this
third March 1818 M. P. Leduc Clk by
A.. M Girk DClk*
---
**Page 20** (1205_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order*
Joseph Robudouse
vs
Jeremiah Connor
In execution March 3rd 1818
on motion of Mr Wash
attorney for the Plaintiffs it
is [illegible] that a dedimus [illegible] to any Judge
on Justice of the peace of the County of St Louis
to take the depositions of witness on the part
of the plaintiff
*M. P . Leduc Clerk by
A. S. McGrik DClk True copy of [illegible] above M. P . Leduc clk by
A. McGrik DClk*
> *Legal Function: Caption*
Joseph Robidoux
vs
Jeremiah Connor
dedimus
> *Legal Function: Notice*
Joseph Robedoux
vs
Jeremiah Conner
In Mention March 3rd 1818.
To the above named [illegible]
plan to take mother that I will on Tuesday the 10th;
Just between the hours of 10 oclk in the forenoon & four
oclk in the afternoon of that day, at the office of J. V.
Gamin Esqr. in the town of St. Louis , proceed to take
the depositions of witnesses to be mad in evidence on the
trial of the above named cause.
*J P h. Robidoux by his
Atty B. Wash delivered a copy of the above 4th; March 1818 B Wash*
---
**Page 21** (1205_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena*
Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America to the Sheriff of said county,
Greeting.:
You are hereby commanded to summon Joseph Navales and
Manuel Benna Michela[?] [illegible]
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they - be and appear in proper
person before the judge of our circuit court on the tenth - day of June
at the town of St. Louis , then there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of
controversy now pending in our said court, wherein Joseph Robedoux
is plaintiff and Jeremiah Connor - defendant, on the
part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.
*Witness Mary P. Leduc , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of
St. Louis , this twenty first day of March - in the year of
our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and of the
Independence of the United States , the forty second M. P Leduc Clerk of St. L . C. C. by
[illegible]. S. McGrik DClk*
---
**Page 22** (1205_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed on Michel Morin and
Manual Renna Joseph Navales not found
*J. W. Thompson
DShff Service 66 non Est 50 $ 1.10*
> *Legal Function: Caption*
St Louis Circuit Ct
June Term 1818
Joseph Robidouse
vs
Jeremiah Cannor
Subpea[?]
*June 10th 1818 for Michel Morin
Joseph Maods &
Manuel Renna St Louis County Work attorney for Plff*
---
**Page 23** (1205_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*
The Hble Circuit Court
St Louis County
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Filed this 9th June 1818
A Gamble
> *Legal Function: Caption*
Robidoux
vs
Connor
---
**Page 24** (1205_024.jpg)
---
**Page 25** (1205_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Deposition*
Deposition Taken by notice of a Dedimus and rule, out of the office
of the desk of the circuit court of the county of St Louis at the office of
Joseph V Pamier in the Town of St Louis , on Tuesday the tenth day
of March in the Year eighteen hundred and eighteen between the
hours often in the forenoon and four in the afternoon of the Same
day, and to be read in evidence on the trial of a certain suit now
leading in the circuit court aforesaid Between Joseph Robedoux
Plaintiff and Jeremiah Connor defendant.
Michael Eley being of lawful age and duly Sworn on the holy [illegible]
of almighty god doth depose and say that on the fourteenth day of March
in the year eighteen hundred and Seventeen, he the deponant being then
at Fort Osage on the river Missouri , Certain articles of merchandizes were
delivered to him by a Mr Robidoux , as the property of Jeremiah Connor
that being than much engaged himself, he requested order dowry to receive
them- that the said articles of merchandizes counciled, in twelve
Barrels of whiskey, two of which did not appear to be more than
half full, two large Barg of Merchandizes he suppose weighing about two hundred
pound each, 1 Box of soap, 1 Box of candles, 1 Box of chocolate
1 Barrel of salt, 2 Barrels of coffee weighing 35lb [illegible] Cost- 3 Barrels
of sugar 659 [illegible] gross 4 Kegs of powder - 118th gross - 1 Keg pepper
31[illegible] gross- which said articles he the deponent caused to be
stored up in a won in [illegible] of the fort that in Examining the
Whiskey, with the said Robidoux , one of the Barrels (No. 3) appears
to be deficient as he supposed, about twenty four gallons, the said
Robidoux acknowledged to him that he had made use of the
Same- that the Barrel of Salt might contain about five barrels and weighed
gross two hundred and seventy pounds weight_ The deponent further
saith that he was at Fort cooper when the goods were opened and re-
collect some of the same being offered for sale
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**Page 26** (1205_026.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Deposition*
Question by Defendant - Do You recollect when I arrived at Fort Ssage?
Answer - You arived about the eighteenth day of November of the
Year 1816 - I Know that You made a payment of the troops amounting
to Several Thousand dollars - That some hands four in number were sent
down to meet the Boat in which defendants goods were coming with
that they came down a certain distance and were obliged to return
being prevented going by notice from going down any further that
a half indian had been sent down a few days previous to the four
men going down that his home having sum away from him
he was obliged to return. That the Fort was at the time destitute
of goods, the men had money and were made in want of goods and
deponent supposes and believes that the said owner would have sold
the greater part of his said goods to advantage had they reached the fort in due time.
Question by Same - Do You recollect how many days before Christmas I left
fort osage?_
Answer - I suppose between five and ten days.
Question by Same - Did You understand that the payment of the troops
had been post poned in expectation of the goods and how long_
Answer - I understood that the payment was put off in "appreciation of the goods, the time, I do not recollect, but believe from three
to six days_ that the two express above alluded to had been seat down
to accelerate the arrival of the goods and further saith not
*Sworn to & Subscribed the
day of Year & between the
hours first above mentioned before me J. C. Garner JP[?] Michael Ely Fees Justice - $ 2 Sub - 00.50[?] writing deposition 75 [illegible] &[?] oath 31 1/2[?] $ 1.50 1/2[?]*
---
**Page 27** (1205_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Bill*
Joseph Robidoux
vs
Jerremiah Conner
To my attendance as a witness
in the cause since the 10th; instance being
6 days at 0.50 per day ----- $ 3.00
*Sworn to in open Court by Michel Morin this
sixteenth of June 1818 A Gamble Clerk, C. C. St Louis County*
> *Legal Function: Other*
32
3
96
4
384
2
\$768
---
**Page 28** (1205_028.jpg)
Joseph Robidoux V. Jeremiah Conner. 1817, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 6, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60582