Molly, a free woman of color v. Charles Mullikin, John Mullikin

Item

Molly, a Free Woman of Color V. Charles Mullikin, John Mullikin. 1825, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60665

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Case Title: Molly, a free woman of color v. Charles Mullikin, John Mullikin
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Molly
Defendant: Mullikin, Charles; Mullikin, John
Date Filed: 1825-08-17
Filing Date: 1825-08-17
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Justice of the Peace: illegible
Cause of Action: Habeas Corpus
Case Notes: Defendant responded by bringing plaintiff to court; court released her from custody.
Identifier: ccr1825.05527.004
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **Molly, a free woman of color vs. Charles Mullikin, John Mullikin**

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**Page 1** (5527_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition for Habeas Corpus*

To the Hon the Judge of the Circuit Court of St Louis County.
The petition of Molly a free woman of colour
represents that she is now actually held in servitude
and restrained of her liberty by Charles Mullikin un
der Pretence that she is his indentured servant
whereas your petitioner express by declares that she
orders no service by Law to the said Mullikin
Your petitioner therefore prays that your
Honour will issue your writ of Habeas Cor-
pus commanding the said Mullikin to bring
before your Honour, the body of your peti-
tioner to do submit to and receive whatsoever your Honour shall consider in that
behalf

*Molly
her
\+ Mark*
> *Legal Function: Petition for Habeas Corpus Part 2*

State of Missouri County of St. Louis .
Be it remembered that on this eighteenth
Day of August in the year eighteen hundred
and twenty four before me the subscriber a
justice of the peace within and for the
County of St. Louis personally came Molly
and made oath that the facts contained
in the above petition are true, and that
she the said Molly your petitioner is not [illegible] or restrained
by any commitment or detainer for any
criminal or supposed criminal matter

*Sworn to and Mark acknowledged before me this 18th day of aug [illegible]
1825 Molly her
+mark [illegible] B [illegible]
Justice of the Peace*

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**Page 2** (5527_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*

Molly a per woman of colour
v.
Charles Mullikin
Petition for
Habeas Corpus

*18th August 1825*

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**Page 3** (5527_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition for Habeas Corpus*

To the Honorable the Circuit Court within
and for the County of St. Louis
The Petition of Molly a free woman
of colour represents that she is held in servitude
and actually restrained of her liberty by John
Mullikin, under the pretence as she has heard
and believes that she is indentured to him
which pretence your petitioner declares to be
false and that she is entitled to her freedom
your petitioner therefore prays that a writ
of Habeas Corpus may issue commanding
the said Mullikin to bring before this Court
the body of your petitioner, to do submit
to &[?] receive, whatsoever shall by the Court
considered in that behalf

*Molly her + mark*
> *Legal Function: Petition for Habeas Corpus Part 2*

Molly a free woman of colour being
duly sworn saith that the facts contain
ed in the above petition are true, and
that she is not confirmed by virtue of any detain
or commitment for any criminal or
supposed criminal matter

*Sworn to [illegible] submitted this
17th day of aug ust[?] 1825
[illegible] B [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] Molly her +
Mark*

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**Page 4** (5527_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Molly a woman of colour
vs
John Mullikin
affidavitt

*17th August 1825*

Item sets: All Circuit Court Records; Freedom Suits Case Files, 1814-1860; Circuit Court Cases