Labon, a man of color v. Risdon H. Price
Item
Labon, a Man of Color V. Risdon H. Price. 1805, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60594
- Case Title
- Labon, a man of color v. Risdon H. Price
- Series
- Freedom Suits
- Plaintiff
- Labon
- Defendant
- Price, Risdon H.
- Date Filed
- 1805-03-05
- Filing Date
- 1805-03-05
- Plaintiff’s Attorney
- Barton
- McGirk
- Court Name
- St. Louis County Court
- Court Term
- 1805-03
- Cause of Action
- Trespass
- False Imprisonment
- Assault
- Battery
- Case Notes
- Former slave of William Clark in Kentucky, brought to Illinois where sold to Simon Vanordale; plaintiff was husband of Tempe.
- Disposition
- Plaintiff granted freedom by jury
- Case Number
- 3
- Related Court Case Number
- 982
- Related Project ID
- ccr1818.00982.041
- Identifier
- ccr1818.00985.056
- Source
- Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- PDF Download
- Download PDF of all images
- Transcription
-
**Labon, a man of color v. Risdon H. Price**
---
**Page 1** (0985_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
No 7
March Term 1818
Labon a free person of
color
vs
R. H. Price
petition for freedom
filed September 10th 1817
Jo. [illegible] atty S.C.M.C.
---
**Page 2** (0985_002.jpg)
[blank]
---
**Page 3** (0985_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition to Proceed in Forma Pauperis*
Territory of Missouri
Northern Circuit To the Honorable the superior count
of the Territory aforesaid now sitting for the Northern circuit
The petition of Labon a man of color,[?]
Humbly therewith that your petitioner in the month
of may or thereabout in the year one thousand eight hundred
and sixteen was brought from the state of Kentucky
where he was owned as a slave by one William Clark
to the territory of Illinois and there sold as a slave to
one Simon [Vanordsdale?] who kept your petitioner
in servitude and slavery in said territory contrary to his
consent till sometime about the first of January in the
present year when he sold your petitioner to one
Risdon H Price of St Louis where he has remained
and been kept by said Price in slavery, ever since
till this time and said Price claims and holds your
petitioner as his property and have by virtue of his
aforesaid purchase and your petitioner is informed by
virtue of his aforesaid residence in the Illinois territory
and under an ordinance of the Congress of the United
States for the government of the Northwestern Territory
he is entitled to his freedom and by law is free.
your petitioner therefore prays, [?] that an attorney, [?]
be commenced against said Price on,[?] behalf of your
said petitioner according to law to enable your
petitioner to obtain his freedom and counsel learned
in the law may be appointed to manage said cause
for him and your petitioner as in,[?] duty bound,[?]
will ever pray &c.
*Labon his X mark *
St Louis the 25th August 1817
Just. George Tompkins
[illegible]
---
**Page 4** (0985_004.jpg)
[blank]
---
**Page 5** (0985_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Deposition of Anthony Badgely*
Territory of Missouri
Saint Louis
Anthony S Badgely on his oath,[?]
says that in the year eighteen hundred
and sixteen during the space of three
months and more,[?] he says in the possess,[?]-
ions,[?] of one Simon Connorsdale,[?] and in the Illinois
Territory immediately opposite St Louis a Negro man
named Lebon that said Connorsdale,[?] claimed said Lebon
as his slave and exercised every set of ownership over,[?] him
said Leban and that said Lebon is no^w^ living with one Risdon
H . Price in Saint Louis and blamed by him as a slave
as this deponent has been informed and believe the fact to
[illegible]
*[illegible] sworn,[?] to by the said
Anthony S . Badgely ,[?] this
24th day of August
1817 before me
D. Barton
judge of the Northern
circuit of said,[?] territory*
---
**Page 6** (0985_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Anthony S Badgely
to
affidavit
freedom Labon
---
**Page 7** (0985_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Deposition of Anthony Badgely*
Territory of missouri
In the Superior court
northern circuit [illegible] of the term of August 1817
Labon ,[?] a free black man
held in,[?] slavery and who sues,[?] for his freedom
Risden H ,[?] Price
on petition to be admitted to sue for
freedom.
The court directs,[?] that an action of assault
Battery and false imprisonment he instituted,[?] against the said Risdon H ,[?] Price
in the name of the said Laybun,[?] that the defendant do permit the Layburn,[?]
to have a reasonable liberty of attending his counsel and that he shall not
be taken nor removed out of the jurisdiction of the court nor be subjected to any,[?]
severity because of his application for freedom
*[illegible] of Barton of counsel for the petitioner*
> *Legal Function: Affidavit of Tempe, a Black woman*
Tempe a Black woman held
in,[?] slavery, who sues,[?] for her freedom
vs
The Same,[?]
On Petitor aforesaid
the same order [illegible] with presiding me
I [illegible] clerk of the Superior court of the territory of Missouri ,[?]
to certify that the above is a true [illegible] with two cases [illegible]
*In testimony whereof,[?] I have hereunto set my
hand & affixed the seal of the Superior court for the
northern circuit this seventh day of september 1817 [illegible]*
---
**Page 8** (0985_008.jpg)
---
**Page 9** (0985_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
No 18
April Term [illegible]
Superior Court Northern [illegible]
march term 1818
Leban a person,[?] of
R,[?] H. Price
[illegible]
& false [illegible]
for freedom,[?]
Summons
To this the [illegible]
Let a summons issue,[?]
*[illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Case Description*
This is an action of trespass,[?]
Battery and false inprisonment
brought the petitioner for [illegible] freedom
*filed August [illegible] [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
12th [illegible]
*filed September [illegible]
[illegible]*
Clarks [illegible]
m.c. [illegible]
*[illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this summons,[?]
on R H Price,[?] by
reading it to him,[?]
in the town of
St Louis [illegible]
1817
*[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 10** (0985_010.jpg)
---
**Page 11** (0985_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*
Territory of Missouri
Saint Louis County In the superior court of the
missouri Territory [illegible] in the
northern circuit of march term
one thousand eight hundred & eighteen
[illegible] a Free person of colour by [illegible] his attorney appointed by the said court complains
of Risdon H ,[?] Price of a plea of trespass,[?] with force
and arms,[?]- For that the said Risdon H ,[?] Price
on the twenty fifth day of August in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
in,[?] the town of St Louis in saint Louis County and
within the jurisdiction of this court with force
and arms to made an assault on the said Labon
and then and there beat wounded and ill
treated the said Labon whereof the said Labon
was in great danger of loossing,[?] his life and
also for [illegible]
at saint Louis in the county aforesaid with force
and arms [illegible] made another assault on the said
Labon and then and there again beat wounded
imprisoned and illtreated the said Labon
and him the said Labon put in prison
without any reasonable causes, against the will
of the said Labon , and against the laws,[?] of the united
states and of this territory for a long time to wit,[?]
the present time detained and kept, and still
keeps the said Laban in prison, and other
injuries to the said Labon [illegible] did against
the peace of the united states and this Territory and
to the damage of the said Laban one thousand
dollars, and therefore he brings his suit [illegible]
*[illegible] for the plaintiff*
---
**Page 12** (0985_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*
Territory of Missouri
Northern Circuit The United States of America to the sheriff of the county
of St Louis Greeting
We command you that you summon Risdon H ,[?] Price that he be and
appear before the Judges of the superior court of the territory of Missouri ,[?]
said superior court to be held in and for the northern circuit of our said
Territory at the town of St Louis on the fourth monday in march next, then
and there in our said court before our Judges aforesaid, to answer
unto Labon ,[?] a man of color who sues,[?] for his freedom in an [illegible]
of trespass,[?], assault & Battery and false imprisonment to his damage
one thousand and dollars - and have you then and there this writ
*Witness the Honourable Alexander Stuart Esquire,[?]
presiding Judge of our said court at St Louis this
tenth day of september in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and seventeen
Independence the forty second - [illegible] V. [illegible] C. N. C. -*
---
**Page 13** (0985_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Answer*
Northern Circuit Aug Term 1818.
Risdon H . Rice
[illegible]
Lebon a blackman
And the said Risdon H ,[?] by his atto,[?] comes &
defends the wrong and injury,[?] when [illegible] and says
that he is not guilty of the said supposed trespasses,[?] above said to his charge,[?], or any part
thereof; in manner and form,[?] as the said Labon
hath above thereof complained against him
and of this he puts himself upon the county
and the plaintiff also [illegible].
*[illegible]*
---
**Page 14** (0985_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Rice
[illegible]
Labon
plea [illegible]
*filed Sept 11th 1818
Y. V. [illegible]*
---
**Page 15** (0985_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to Alexander Nath
Anthony S Badgely and Nathan Mills,[?] Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of
you personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
on the twenty ninth day of April next being the fourth day
of the April term of our said court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Labon ,[?] a Blackman who sues,[?]
for his freedom plaintiff and Risdon H ,[?] Price is
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof-and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenteeth day of
February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty third
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 16** (0985_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Superior Court northern circuit
april Term 1819
Labon ,[?] a black
man
Risdon H Price,[?]
[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] april
*Nathan Mills,[?] Alexander Nath,[?] Anthony Badgely*
Served on A. S.
Badgely 5th March
1817 by leaving a
copy at his place
of residence Town
St Louis [illegible] on [illegible]
Mills 25th March
1819 by giving,[?] him
a copy in town
St Louis Alexander
Alexander Nash,[?] not found
in this county
*John K Walker Dshff,[?]*
| | |
|---|---|
| Service | 66 |
| non [illegible] | 56 |
| | 110 [illegible] |
---
**Page 17** (0985_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Writ of Habeus Corpus*
Territory of Missouri
northern circuit Territory of missouri
northern circuit The united states of America to the sheriff of the county of St Louis Greeting.
You are commanded that you attach,[?] Nathan Mills and Anthony Badgely ,[?] so that,[?] you
have their bodies forthwith,[?] before the judges of our superior court,[?] [illegible]
and for the northern circuit, at the town of St Louis to answer,[?] for [illegible]
attending the said superior court as witness [illegible] but then there to be
tried between Labon ,,[?] a free black man and Risdon H Price,[?] on a petition for
freedom and certify to our said court [illegible]
*Witness the honorable Silas Bent Esquire and presiding judge,[?] of our
said court at St Louis the,[?] eight day of May [illegible] 1819 [illegible]*
---
**Page 18** (0985_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
The United States
[illegible]
nathan mills
[illegible] Anthony of Badgely
attachment
forthwith,[?]
*Executed by bringing,[?]
the witness,[?]
person into court
may [illegible] 8th 1819 [illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| service | 1.50 |
| travel | 5 |
| | 1.55 |
---
**Page 19** (0985_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit,
ss.
The United States of America to [illegible]
and [illegible] his wife,[?] Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you [illegible]
[illegible] personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
[illegible] held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
[illegible] forthwith [illegible] to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Labon a Balckman is [illegible]
[illegible] plaintiff and Risdon H ,[?] Price is
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof-and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas ,[?] Bent
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this tenth day of
May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty third
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 20** (0985_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Laboun,[?] a Black
man
[illegible]
Risdon H ,[?] Price
[illegible]
*forthwith,[?] [illegible] [illegible]*
Served on Mrs Amalin,[?]
at her dwelling,[?] in st
Louis by reading may
the 10th 1819
Alexis Amelin ,[?] not found
same day
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| service | 33 |
| [illegible] | 50 |
| | 83 |
---
**Page 21** (0985_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to Nathan Mills
Alexander Nash and Anthony S Badgely Greeting
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
on the twenty third day of September next being the fourth day
of the September term of our said court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Labour,[?] a Blackman is
plaintiff and Risdon H ,[?] Price is
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof--and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twelfth day of
August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 22** (0985_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Served on Nathan
Mills & Anthony S ,[?]
Badgely 13th Septem 1819
in the Town of St Louis
Alexander Nash ,[?] not
found
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| 2 services | 66 |
| 1 [illegible] | 50 |
| | 1.16 |
| Travel | 6 |
| | \$1.22 |
Superior court Circuit
September Term 1819
Labour a Blackman
Risdon H,[?] Price
subpoena,[?]
23d september
*Nathan Mills Alexander Nash ,[?] Anthony Badgely*
---
**Page 23** (0985_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to Alexis Amelin ,[?] his wife Greeting
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
on the twenty third day of September next being the fourth [illegible] day
of the September term of our said court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Laboun a blackman [illegible]
plaintiff and Risdon H ,[?] Price is
defendant on the part of the said plaintiff
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof--and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this thirteenth day of
August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 24** (0985_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Served this writ on Alexis Amelin ,[?]
[illegible] his wife by leaving a copy
hereof,[?] at their plan of residence in
the town of St Louis on the 10th
day of September 1817
*John K . Walker Dshff,[?]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
| | |
|---|---|
| service,[?] | 66 |
| travel | 6 |
| | $.72 |
Superior Court [illegible] circuit
September Term 1819
Labourue a Black-
man [illegible]
Risdon H ,[?] Price
[illegible]
23d September
*Alexis Amelin ,[?] [illegible]*
---
**Page 25** (0985_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
[illegible],
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to Henry J Peyer Joshua ,[?] Barton Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis , on the twenty third
day of September next,[?] being the fourth day of the September term of our said court,
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Labour
a Blackman who sues for his freedom plaintiff and Risdon
H ,[?] Price defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof-and
of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this fifteenth day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 26** (0985_026.jpg)
Served this writ on
Joshua ,[?] Barton in
the town,[?] of St Louis
by reading it to him,[?]
15th September 1819.
*[illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Served on H S Peyer,[?] in the town
of St Louis 20th
sept 1819
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| service | 66 [illegible] |
| travel | 6 |
| | 72 |
Superior Court N C-
Sept Term 1819
Labour a Blackman
[illegible]
Risdon H Price,[?]
[illegible]
23d sept
*H J Peyer,[?] J. Barton*
---
**Page 27** (0985_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to William
Smith and Alexander Nash ,[?] Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
[illegible] forthwith,[?] [illegible] court, to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Labon a Blackman
plaintiff and Risdon H ,[?] Price
defendant on the part of the said defendant
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof—and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty second day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 28** (0985_028.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Execute this writ on,[?] William Smith
by reading it to him in the town,[?]
of St Louis on the 22nd september
1819 Alexander Nash ,[?] not found
*John K Walker Dshff,[?]*
| | |
|---|---|
| service | 33 |
| [illegible] | 50 |
| | \$83 |
Superior Court September
term 1819
Leban a Black man
[illegible]
Risdon H Price,[?]
forthwith,[?]
*William Smith ,[?] Alexander Nash ,[?]*
---
**Page 29** (0985_029.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to Daniel
Sullivan Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis , [illegible] forthwith,[?]
[illegible]
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Laban
a Blackman plaintiff and Risdon
H ,[?] Price defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof—and
of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty second day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 30** (0985_030.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Superior court september
term 1819
Leban a Blackman
[illegible]
Risdon H,[?] Rice
[illegible]
23 september
*Daniel Sullivan*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Daniel Sullivan
not found in my
county 27 th sepetr
1819
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| [illegible] | 50 |
| travel | 6 |
| | 56 |
| | 33 |
| | 5[illegible] |
| | 72 |
| | 83 |
| | 83 |
| | 122 |
| | 72 |
| | 116 |
| | 150 |
| | 25 |
| | 20 |
| | 8.88 |
| | 155 |
| | 1043 |
---
**Page 31** (0985_031.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Writ of Habeus Corpus*
Territory of Missouri
northern circuit
[illegible] The United States to the sheriff of the county
of St Louis Greeting
You are commanded to attach,[?] William Smith and Nathan
Mills [illegible] before the superior court of our country
of [illegible] and for the Northern circuit,[?] St Louis
to [illegible] to [illegible] is not attending as without being
duly summonded in a [illegible]
and Risden H ,[?] Price is defendant.
*[illegible] the honorable Silas Bent ,[?] presiding
judge of our said court this,[?] 27th september 1819 [illegible]*
---
**Page 32** (0985_032.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
The United States
[illegible]
William Smith
Nathan Mills
Attachment,[?]
Executed on Nathan Mills and
have his body before the court
27th september 1819 William Smith
not found
*John K Walker , Dshff,[?]*
| | |
|---|---|
| Service,[?] | 1.30 |
| [illegible] | 30 |
| Travel,[?] | 5 |
| | \$165 |
---
**Page 33** (0985_033.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena*
Territory of Missouri
northern circuit
[illegible] The United States of America to the sheriff
of the county of St Louis Greeting.
You are commanded that you Alexis Amelin ,[?] and [illegible]
his wife [illegible] you have then forthwith before our Judge of our,[?]
Court of our territory aforesaid at our said court setting for the northern circuit
to to answer,[?] for [illegible] without attending [illegible] on the part
of Laban a black man who sues for his freedom [illegible] summoned
to to that effect,[?]
*Witness the honorable Silas Bent ,[?] presiding
Judge,[?] of our said court at [illegible] 28th Sept 1819 [illegible]*
---
**Page 34** (0985_034.jpg)
The United States
Alexis Amelin ,[?] [illegible]
Attachment
forthwith,[?]
Executed on
Alexis Amelin ,[?] of
have him in court
[illegible] sick
[illegible] he brought
28th septr. 1819
*[illegible] C [illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| Service,[?] | 1. |
| [illegible] | .50 |
| Travel,[?] | .05 |
| | $ 1.55 |
---
**Page 35** (0985_035.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit, ss.
The United States of America to Daniel
Sullivan Greeting
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court
of our territory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis
[illegible] forthwith, [illegible] to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case
then and there to be tried, and wherein Laban a Black man is
plaintiff and Risdon H ,[?] Price is
defendant on the part of the said defendant
and from day to day until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the
said court without the leave thereof—and of this fail not at your peril and our sheriff of our coun-
ty of St Louis is hereby commanded, then and there to make return of this our writ
and certify to our said court how he executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty sixth day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 36** (0985_036.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Risdon H ,[?] Price
[illegible]
Leban a blackman,[?]
[illegible]
Daniel Sullivan
D Sullivan not
found
*John K Walker
[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| [illegible] | 50 |
| travel | 6 |
| | 56 |
---
**Page 37** (0985_037.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit. ss.
The United States of America to Robert
Bayley,[?] Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis , [illegible] forthwith
[illegible]
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Laban
a black man plaintiff and Risdon
H ,[?] Price is defendant on the part of the
said defendant and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof—and
of this fail not at you peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty ninth day of
September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and nineteen and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 38** (0985_038.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Risdon H ,[?] Price
[illegible]
Leban a black-
man
forthwith,[?]
[illegible]
*Robert Bailey*
Executed on Robert Baily[?] 29th
september 1819 in the town of St Louis
*John K Walker ,[?]
Dshff,[?]
service 33
[illegible]*
---
**Page 39** (0985_039.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion for a New Trial*
Risdon ,[?] H . Price,[?]
Leban (suing,[?] for freedom)
Assault,[?] & Battery [illegible]
The defendant prays a new trial in this
case,[?], because the case before the jury,[?]
did not authorize them to by the
question of freedom between the parties
2.Because the court declare that the
plaintiff was authorized to make out
difficult case from that stated,[?] in his
petition, and to have a verdit an
his favor if he made out a [illegible] [illegible] right
to freedom to any grounds whatever,[?].
3. Because the court erred,[?] in not
instructing the jury,[?] that the plaintiff
was not entitled,[?]
to recover in this
form of action upon the case which
he proved before the court.
4. Because the jury,[?] should have
found for the defendant on the
law the proof laid,[?] before them.
*[illegible]*
---
**Page 40** (0985_040.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Price,[?] Leban
[illegible]
filed october 4th 1819
*[illegible]*
---
**Page 41** (0985_041.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*
Illinois territory of
St Clare County
Be it remembered,[?] that on the 23d day of may
1816, personally came before me the subscriber clark of the
county court of the said county Labourne a mulatto,[?] man
aged about twenty four years old, who did,[?] in my presence
agree and determine promise and obligate himself to serve
Simon Vanondelle as a good and faithful servant for the term
of forty years from the date of these presents for the consideration
of thirty dollars: In testimony whereof hath presents set his
hand and seal,[?] this day and year aforesaid
*Mark,[?]
of Laboune,[?] this 23d day of may 1816- [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certification*
State of Illinois St Clair ,[?] county of
A John [illegible] clerk of the circuit court
of the said county of hereby certify that the aforesaid,[?] is a true
transcript,[?] on taken from the Record of Inverted servants
page & 44.45
*In testimony whereof I have hereunto,[?] set my,[?]
hand and seal,[?] of said court at Belleville
this ninth, day of November [illegible] 1819
and of the Independence of the United State
of commercial the forty fourth.
John Hay*
> *Legal Function: Certification, part 2*
State of Illinois
[illegible]
first circuit
S. Joseph Phillips Judge of the
circuit court of said county of St Clair ,[?]
certify that the foregoing certificate and
attention,[?] of John Hay Clerk of said court
is in due form of [illegible]. Given under
my hand this 10th November 1819.
*[illegible]*
---
**Page 42** (0985_042.jpg)
---
**Page 43** (0985_043.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit. ss.
The United States of America to William Smith
Alexander Nash ,[?] Anthony Badgely Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of [illegible]
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis on the twenty fifth
day of April [illegible] being the second day of the April term of our said court,
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Leban
a free man of color plaintiff and Risdon
H Price,[?] of defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof-and
of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executes the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty fourth day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 44** (0985_044.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this summons on A. J,[?]. Badgely
in S Louis [illegible] 3d Apr 1820 William Smith
not found in my county 15th Apr 1820
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| [illegible] | 33 [illegible] |
| [illegible] Est | 100 |
| | \$1.33 |
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Superior Court [illegible]
April term 1820
Leban a free man
[illegible]
Risdon H ,[?] Price
[illegible]
25th april
*x William Smith ,[?]
x Alex Nash,[?]
x Anthony Badgely ,[?]*
---
**Page 45** (0985_045.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit. ss.
The United States of America to Henry S Peyer Joshua ,[?] Barton Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuses and delays being set aside you and each of you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the northern circuit at the town of St. Louis , on the twenty fifth
day of April next being the second day of the april term of our said court,
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Leban
a free man of color is plaintiff and Risdon H Price,[?]
April is defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof—and
of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executed the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty fifth day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 46** (0985_046.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Served this writ on Joshua,[?] Baston in the
Town of S Louis 13th Apr 1820 on H J Peyer,[?] in S Louis 17th Apr 1820
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| Service | 66 cts |
| travel | 6 |
| | 72 cts |
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Superior Court N,[?] circuit
April term 1820
Leban a freeman
[illegible]
Risdon Risdon H,[?] Price
[illegible]
25th april
*x Henry S Peyer
x [illegible] Baston*
---
**Page 47** (0985_047.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
Territory Of Missouri ,
Northern Circuit. ss.
The United States of America to Daniel P,[?] Sullivan
Robert Bailey [illegible] Greeting.
You are summoned that all excuse and delays being set aside you [illegible] of you
personally be and appear before the judges of the superior court of our terri-
tory aforesaid at our said superior court
to be held in and for the norther circuit at the town of St. Louis , on the twenty fifth
day of April next being the second day of the april term of our said court,
to testify and the truth to tell in a certain case then and there to be tried, and wherein Laban
a free man of color is plaintiff and Risdon H[?]
Price is defendant on the part of the
said plaintiff and from day to day
until duly discharged by the court, and not depart the said court without the leave thereof—and
of this fail not at your peril, and our sheriff of our county of St Louis is hereby
commanded then and there to make return of this our writ and certify to our said court how he
executed the same.
*Witness the Honorable Silas Bent ,[?]
Esquire presiding judge of our said court this twenty sixth day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty and of our independence the forty fourth
[illegible] [illegible]*
---
**Page 48** (0985_048.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Served this writ on Joseph [illegible]. Fancy in
St Louis 21st Apr 1820 Daniel P. Sullivan
[illegible] Robert Bailey not found in my county
*[illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| 1 service | 33 cts |
| 2 [illegible] ests | 1.00 |
| travel | 6 |
| | $ 1.39 |
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Superior Court [illegible]
April term 1820
Leban a freeman
[illegible]
Risdon H ,[?] Price
[illegible]
25th April
*x D P,[?] Sullivan
x Robert Bailey
x [illegible]*
---
**Page 49** (0985_049.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Record of Trial*
State of missouri-
[illegible] judicial District
[illegible]
Be it rememebered that [illegible] to the [illegible] in the
[illegible] third sector of [illegible] assembly [illegible] of the state of missouri
entitled the act regulating the proceedings of the Supreme Court [illegible]-
Joseph [illegible] Farmer Clerk,[?] of the Superior ,[?] court of the territory of Missouri ,[?] for
the northern circuit have made,[?] and herewith,[?] certify a complete transcript,[?]
of the minutes,[?] and proceedings had in a certain suit [illegible] in the said
court, between a certain Leban a person of color,[?] who sues for his freedom
and Risdon H Price, In the word and figures following to wit
August Term 1817
September [illegible]
On Reading filing,[?] the petition of Leban a free black man held
in slavery by Risdon H Price together with the affidavit of Anthony S
Bailey,[?] and on motion,[?] of [illegible] the [illegible] the court direct that an
action of trespass,[?] assault & Battery and false imprisonment be instituted,[?]
against the said Risdon H Price with the name,[?] of Said Leban and
that the defendant [illegible] permit the said Labon ,[?] to have reasonable
liberty of attending his counsel and that he shall not be taken or
removed out of the jurisdiction of the court nor,[?] be subject,[?] to any severity
because of his application for freedom
The court of [illegible] of Barton as counsel for the petitioner
April Term 1819
May 8th
and now at the day come the parties,[?] aforesaid by their [illegible] and
there upon also comes a jury to wit James Loper , John L Luter, Robert ,[?]
Bailey Joseph McKay,[?] William Decher, Hugh ONeil,[?]
Henry Waddle,[?], David Wire,[?] George George Blancher, Nicholas Can, Jake Fanis,[?] good and lawful,[?] men who being duly elected tried,[?] and
---
**Page 50** (0985_050.jpg)
sworn,[?] well and truly to try the issue joined between the parties aforesaid
and having heard part of the evidence [illegible] the [illegible] adjourned to-
Monday,[?] the tenth [illegible] at 10 o'clock [illegible]
The court [illegible] adjourned by the [illegible] of the
Judges
September term 1819
September [illegible]
and now at this day came the parties aforesaid by their [illegible]
and thereupon also comes a jury to wit Robert Jones , James Holland,[?]
Clayborn Thomas Joseph N Reurneax, Scott F Tossi,[?] John S Russell,[?] [illegible] Samuel Slomor, Jordan Radford, Joseph James, James,[?]
Berry and [illegible] twelve good and lawful men who being
duly elected tried,[?] and sworn,[?] well and truly to try the issue joined,[?] between
the parties aforesaid upon their oaths,[?] that the said defendant
Risdon H Price is guilty of the promises said to his charge in the declara-
tion aforesaid of him the said Leban Therefore it is considered by the
court before the judges of the said court that the said Leban be liberated,[?]
from the said Risdon H ,[?] Price and all persons claiming by person,[?] or under
him
October 4th
And now at this day comes the said Risdon H Price by his,[?]
attorneys, and moves,[?] a new trial,[?] upon the verdict aforesaid was,[?] aforesaid
enclosed,[?].
April Term 1820
May 6th
On motion for a new trial,[?]
The court after hearing the reasons in support of,[?] said motion,[?] and
mature liberation,[?] action there upon,[?] had, overrule,[?] the said motion,[?]
---
**Page 51** (0985_051.jpg)
May 18th
On reading and filing the affidavit of the defendant and on motion
of mr Barton for the said defendant the court [illegible] and the order,[?] had
on the motion,[?] for a new trial move at the last term -case continued,[?]
Which said [illegible] on the together with all the other [illegible] are
by me sent to the clerk,[?] of the circuit court for the county of St
Louis ,[?]
*In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my,[?] hand
and affixed the seal of the Superior court,[?] aforesaid
at St Louis twentieth day of march [illegible] 1812 [illegible]*
Clerk [illegible] in the [illegible] \$22.63[illegible]
| | |
|---|---|
| [illegible] | 76 |
| [illegible] | 52[illegible] |
| certificate [illegible] | 58 |
| | $ 84.55 |
*[illegible]*
---
**Page 52** (0985_052.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Leban a free man
of color
[illegible]
Risdon H Price
transcript,[?]
---
**Page 53** (0985_053.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion for a New Trial*
Risdon H . Price
ads
Leban a black
man
In the superior court [illegible]
Risdon H . Price the defen-
dant in this cause, requests
this honourable court to grant,[?]
a new,[?] trial & states upon oath,[?]
the following reason; that at the former trial
he was necessarily,[?] prevented from introduci
ing the articles of indenture critical,[?] into of record,[?] mention between
him of the said Labon that the said inden-
tures had been duly deposited with the
clerk of the court for the county of St .
Clair ,[?] in the then territory of Illinois ,
that this affiant in reasonable time
sent to the said clerk for them and,[?]
ex-pected they would have been forwarded
but, within a few days before the trial
this affiant was informed that no such
instrument could be found in the said
office; that after that time untill the former
trial this affiant have not time opportu-
nity to go personally and examine,[?] for the
said papers, [illegible]
[illegible] but since time that time he has
been able to promise them, it is informed
& by his counsel that they are of material
---
**Page 54** (0985_054.jpg)
importance for him in his defence this
affiant further states that the reason they
were not produced at the former trial
was a mistake in the clerk at the said
office [illegible] was not owing to any neglect
or inattention of this affiant.
*Risdon H Price,[?] Sworn,[?] to subscribed this,[?]
6th may 1820 before me
[illegible]*
---
**Page 55** (0985_055.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Verdict*
We all the jurors,[?] find that the
plaintiff is free.
*P M Guyol foreman,[?]*
---
**Page 56** (0985_056.jpg)
Labon, a Man of Color V. Risdon H. Price. 1805, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60594