William Henry v. David G. Bates

Item

William Henry V. David G. Bates. 1830, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60735

Full Text: See images and transcription side by side
Case Title: William Henry v. David G. Bates
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Henry, William
Defendant: Bates, David G.
Date Filed: 1830-05-20
Filing Date: 1830-05-20
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Spalding, Josiah
Defendant’s Attorney: Bates, Edward G.
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1830-07
Judge: Carr, William C.
Clerk: Gamble, Archibald
Sheriff: Simpson, Robert; Walker, John K.; Brotherton, L.
Jury Foreman: Guion, Hubert
Cause of Action: Trespass; False Imprisonment
Case Notes: William Henry, a slave, sued his master David Bates, a steamboat operator, arguing that he had been held as a slave in Galena, Illinois.
Disposition: Guilty Verdict and Judgment for Plaintiff
Case Number: 30
Identifier: ccr1830.05559.034
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **William Henry vs. David G. Bates**

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**Page 1** (5559_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition for Permission to Sue as a Poor Person*

H. William C. Carr Judge of the St. Louis Circuit
court
The petition of William Henry , a black man held
in slavery showeth, that he is now aged about thirty one
years & two months: that he was born in the state of
Virginia & was brought from thence to the town of Kaskaskia
in the now state of Illinois , about sixteen
years ago, when your petitioner was aged about fifteen
years, and was then sold as a slave to Hugh Maxwell
who then resided at Kaskaskia aforesaid: that said Hugh
Maxwell was then permanently settled with his family
at said Kaskaskia & has resided there ever since, and
that he held your petitioner these as a slave, from
the time aforesaid of the sale of your petitioner to
him for the period of eleven years; that he then sold
your petitioner to David Dunklin[?] of Washington
County in Missouri , who sold him to one Elijah
Inge, who sold him to William Hempstead , which
said Hempstead sold him to David G. Bates , who now
claims & holds your petitioner as his slave, He further
states that when said Inge was the owner of your
petitioner as aforesaid, he said Inge, some time
in the month of October in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred Twenty eight, took
your petitioner to Galena in the said state of Illinois ,
& settled there with your petitioner & so remained
there holding your petitioner in bondage
until June last: that said Hempstead then purchased
your petitioner, & kept him in bondage
in said last mentioned place, where said Hempstead
was settled in business, until about three months
ago, when he sold your petitioner to said Bates ,
who took possession of your petitioner & brought
him as his slave to St. Louis in the state of

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**Page 2** (5559_002.jpg)
Missouri where is now keeping your petitioner in
bondage & claiming him as his slave, and your
petitioner states that for the causes aforesaid he is
entitled to his freedom under & in virtue of the ordinance
of Congress of the year 1787, as he is advised
& believes; & he prays that he may be permitted
to sue as a poor person free of will.
He says further that the said David G. Bates
his present master, is the master of a steam Boat
running on the Mississippi River , on which he has
put your petitioner to work as a fireman; and that
in a day or two said Boat will he here, when
your petitioner will without doubt, he compelled
to go an board, & will be taken out of this state
of Missouri & the Jurisdiction of the St. Louis Circuit
Court , unless it shall be prevented by the
interference of your Honor and he greatly fears
that if said Bates is permitted to take your petitioner
out of Missiouri , that he will not bring him
back again, He says further that he was remained
in St. Louis a few days while said Bates has been making
a trip of the River, in consequence of having
been sick, He says further that said Bates is not a resident
of the state of Missouri

*Wmhis X mark Henry*
> *Legal Function: Jurat*

State of Missouri
County of St. Louis
William Henry being sworn on his
oath saith that the statements in the forgoing petition
contained are true

*sworn to & subscribed
[illegible] Wm hisX mark Henry*

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**Page 3** (5559_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order Granting Permission to Sue and Requiring Defendant to Enter into a Recognizance*

State of Missouri
County of St.Louis ss.
at Chambers May 20, 1830
Being of opinion that the
foregoing petition contains sufficient matter to authorize
the commencement of a suit, it is hereby ordered that
said William Henry may sue David G.Bates as a poor
person for his freedom: and Josiah Spalding[?] is hereby
assigned as counsel for said petitioner, and it is further ordered that said petition have reasonable liberty
to attend his counsel & the Court when occasion
may require; and that the petitioner shall not be
taken or removed out of the jurisdiction of the St .
St. Louis Circuit Court , nor be subject to any severity
because of his application for freedom.

*Will . C. Carr
Judge 3.[?] Circuit*
> *Legal Function: Order*

State of Missouri
County of St.Louis . ss.
at chambers, May 20. 1830
Being satisfied that the petitioner
in the foregoing petition named, is about to he removed
out of the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Circuit
Court it is hereby ordered that the said David G .
Bates or his agent enter into a recognizance with sufficent
security, conditioned that said petitioner shall at
all times during the pendency of the suit have reasonable
liberty of attending his counsel, & that he shall
not he removed out of the jurisdiction of the St. Louis .

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**Page 4** (5559_004.jpg)
Circuit Courts , wherein said action for freedom is
to be brought, & that he shall not be subjected to
any severity because of his application for freedom:
and it is further ordered that this order be served on
said David G. Bates and that if he shall refuse
to enter into such recognizance the sheriff of the county of
St. Louis take possession of the petitioner &
hire him out according to law taking [illegible]
bond in the penality of five hundred
dollars with security as the
law directs.

*William C. Carr
Judge 3.[?] Circuit.*

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**Page 5** (5559_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

St. Louis Circuit Court For July Term 1830
County of St.Louis ss. William Henry , a black man
held in slavery, permitted to sue as a poor person, by J. Spalding[?]
assigned as his committed attomey, complains of
David G. Bates . of a plea of trespass. For that the said
David G. Bates on the first day of March in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundered and thirty with force and
arm. He made an assault on the said William Henry to
wit at said County of St. Louis then and there beat bruised
and ill- treated him the said plaintiff and then & there in
prisoned[?]him the said plaintiff & kept & detained him
in prison there without any reasonable cause for
a long space of time to wit from then hitherto
contrary to the law of the State of Missouri & against
the will of the said plaintiff, and said plaintiff aver
that before and at the time of the committing of said
grievances he said plaintiff was and still is a free
person, & that the said defendant held & detained &
still holds and detains him said plaintiff in slavery. And the said defendant then & there
did other wrongs to the said plaintiff against the peace of the
State of Missouri & to the damage of the said plaintiff
of five hundred dollars & therefore he brings
his suit & C.

*J. Spalding[?]
attorney, for plaintiff.*

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**Page 6** (5559_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

This writ was executed on Wm Hill agent of the Defendant in city of St.Louis May
24. 1830 By reading to him the Declaration, [illegible] & orders
of the judge The said Hill as the agent of the defendant
D.G. Bates, refusing to give bail as required by the judge, the
man Wm Henry was on the same day taken into custody
excuted on David G. Bates in the city of St. Louis June 27. 1830 by reading
the petition summons & orders of the judge and acknowledging service 2.00

*R Simpson Sheriff .*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 30
July Term 1830
St. Louis Circuit Courts
William Henry suing
for freedom
vs.
David G. Bates
[illegible] & petition
For freedom Trespass & false imprisonment \$500
issue summons

*[illegible]
Filed May 20th 1830 A.Gamble Clerk.*
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis Sct. To the Sheriff of St.Louis County Greeting
We command you to summon David G. Bates that he be and appear
before the judge of our Circuit Court at the next term thereof to be
held at the city of St.Louis within and for the County of
St. Louis on the fourth monday of July next then and there to
answer into William Henry a black man said in slavery
of a plea of trespass to the damage of said plaintiff of
five hundred dollars. And have you then there this writ

*Witness Archibald Gamble , clerk said court
at office This 20th day of May 1830 Archibald Gamble Clerk.*
> *Legal Function: Copy of Order*

State of Missouri
County of St.Louis Copy of the order granting permission issue
At chambers May 20 1830
Being of opinion that the foregoing petition contains
sufficient matter to authorize the commencement of a suit it
is hereby ordered that said William Henry may sue David
G. Bates as a poor person for his freedom and Josiah Spalding[?]is hereby assigned as counsel for said petitioner. And
it is further ordered that said petitioner have reasonable
liberty to attend his cousel & the Courts when occasion
may require and that the petitioner shall not be taken or
removed out of the jurisdiction of the St. Louis circuit court
nor be subject to any severity because of his application
for freedom.

*Will [illegible] C. Carr
judge 3.[?] Circuit.*

---

**Page 7** (5559_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Plea*

David G. Bates
vs Wm Henry a black man
And the said David G. Bates , by E. Bates his
attorney causes and defends the force & injury where
he prays that he is not guilty of the wrongs & trespass above said to his charge in manner & force as the said William Henry has above in declaring
alleged against him, and of this he but himself
upon the county

*E Bates*
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Plea Part 2*

Demurrer to 2nd plea sustained book 6 page 113 Arch Gamble Clerk
And for a futher plea on his behalf, the said
David G. Bates says that the said William Henry
ought not to be have & maintain his action aforesaid
against him, [illegible] he says that at the time
of the committing of the said supposed trespass
in the declaration mentioned, the said William Henry was still is a bondsman without this
that the said William Henry at the said time
was free man, as in [illegible] his declaration
is above supposed and of this he the said
David G. Bates put himself upon the
county.

*E. Bates filed July 30th 1830
A Gamble Clerk.*

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**Page 8** (5559_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 30
July Term 1830
David. G. Bates
vs
William Henry
plea N. Guilty & pltff
a bondsman

*Filed July 30th 1830 A Gamble
Clerk*

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**Page 9** (5559_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

William Henry
vs
David G.Bates
July Term 1830
Demurrer to 2nd
plea. sustained
Book 6 page 113
A Gamble Clerk
As to the plea of said defendant first above
pleaded the said plaintiff saith that he doth the like & C.
and as to the plea of said defendant secondly
above pleaded said plaintiff saith that the said plea
& the matter therein contained in manner & form as
they are therein pleaded and set forth are not
sufficient inlaw for the said defendant to have &
preclude him said plaintiff froms having & maintaning
his aforesaid action against him nor is he bound
by the law of the land to answer the [illegible] and this he is ready to verify. Wherefore
he prays judgement of N.G..

*Filed 16th August 1830 Archibald Gamble clerk J. Spalding Attorney[?] for pltff*

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**Page 10** (5559_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Replication and Demurrer*

[illegible] 176
> *Legal Function: Replication and Demurrer Part 2*

Judgement of Demurrer page 113 Book 6 -
Verdict Guilty & Judgement for plaintiff Damages 1 [illegible]
Book 6 page 166 -

*Archibald Gamble Clerk*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 30
July Term 1830
Wm Henry
vs
David G. Bates
[illegible] & Demurrer

*J. Spalding Atty[?] Filed 16th August 1830 Archibald Gamble Clerk*

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**Page 11** (5559_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County Of St.Louis ,Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of Saint Louis County - Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Nathaniel Morris Abner Morris
David Morris Amos Berean & John Gillis
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 Seventh day of April next, at the City of
St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court, wherein William Henry is plaintiff
and David G.Bates is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff; and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this twenty fifth day
of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty one . Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 12** (5559_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

St.St. Louis Circuit Court
March Term 1831
William Henry
vs
David G. Bates
for plaintiff in 7th April 1831

*x Nathaniel Morris 29
x Abner Morris 29
David Morris Amos Berean x John Gillis*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Served this writ on John Gillis by reading it to him on the 26th March
1831. On Nathaniel Morris [illegible]
Abner Morris on the 29th March in
the county of St. Louis David morris
Amos Berean not found
[illegible] 150
[illegible] 1.75
[illegible] 25

*Jno K. Walker Shff*

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**Page 13** (5559_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Nathanial Morris, Abner Morris, David Morris, Amos Berean, and John Gillis*

County Of St.Louis ,Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of Saint Louis County - Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Nathaniel Morris Abner Morris
David Morris Amos Berean & John Gillis
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 14th day of April next, at the City of
St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court, wherein William Henry is plaintiff
and David G.Bates is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff; and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this 9th day
of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and 31 . A Gamble clerk C. C.*

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**Page 14** (5559_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

This writ come to hand too late to be
executed

*John K Walker Sheriff
by L Brotherton [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 31
William Henry
vs
David G Bates
Abner Morris
Nathaniel Morris
David Morris
Amos Berean
John Gillis
14th April
> *Legal Function: Summons for Nathanial Morris, Abner Morris, David Morris, Amos Berean, and John Gillis Part 2*

[illegible]
Party.

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**Page 15** (5559_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Frederick B. McNair and Joseph A. Wherry*

County Of St.Louis ,Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of Saint Louis County - Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Frederick B McNair
Joseph A Wherry
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 14th day of April , at the City of
St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court, wherein William Henry is plaintiff
and David G.Bates is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff; and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this ninth day
of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty one . A Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 16** (5559_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed on Fredk B.McNair on the 9th April and Joseph A Wherry
on the 11th same Month by reading 100

*Jn K Walker Shff[?]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1831
William Henry
vs
David G.Bates
for F B McNair

*&[?] Joseph A Wherry 14th april
for plaintiff*

---

**Page 17** (5559_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Nathaniel Morris, Abner Morris, David Morris, Amos Berean, John Gills, Frederick B. McNair and Joseph A. Wherry*

County Of St.Louis , Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of Saint Louis County - Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Nathaniel Morris Abner Morris
David Morris Amos Berean & John Gillis Frederick B McNair
and Joseph A Wherry
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 second day of August next at the City of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein William Henry is plaintiff
and David G.Bates is defendant on the part of the
plaintiff; and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this twenty fourth day of June in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one . A Gamble Clerk C. C.*

---

**Page 18** (5559_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Excuted This writ on Abner Morris 8th July on
Nathaniel Morris 9th July on Joesph A Wherry
14th July on Frederick B Mc[?]Nair 16th July
1831 in the county of St.Louis by reading [illegible]
it to them David Morris Amos Berean & John Gillis not found in my county
|   |   |
|---|---|
| [illegible] | # 200 |
| 3 [illegible] | 3.7 1/2 |
| | #2.37 1/2 |

*John K Walker Shrff*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1831
William Henry
vs
David G. Bates
for plaintiff

*Nathaniel morris 9
Abner morris 8 July
David morris Amos Berean John Gillis on 2nd august Frederick B McNair 14
Joseph A Wherry 14*
> *Legal Function: Summons for Nathaniel Morris, Abner Morris, David Morris, Amos Berean, John Gills, Frederick B. McNair and Joseph A. Wherry Part 2*

[illegible]

---

**Page 19** (5559_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Micheal Taney*

County Of St. Louis , Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of Saint Louis County-Greeting.
You are herby commanded to summon Taney
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 second day of August , at the City of
St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court, wherein William Herry (a man of color is plaintiff
and David G Bates is defendant on the part of the plantiff; and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this sixth day
of july in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty one Archibald gamble Clerk C. C.*

---

**Page 20** (5559_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Served this writ or Michael Taney
on the 1st August 1831 [illegible] by reading it to
him in the city of
St. Louis

*John K Walker Shff*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July term 1831
Wiliam Henry
vs
David G Bates
for plaintiff

*[illegible] 1st
on 2nd August Michael Taney*

---

**Page 21** (5559_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for William P. Tillton*

County Of St. Louis , Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of St Louis County--Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Wm. P. Tillton
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in proper person before the Judge
of our Circuit Court , forthwith [illegible] [illegible], at the City of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our
said Court, wherein Willam Henry is plaintiff and
David G. Bates defendant on the part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court at the City of St. Louis , this 2nd day of
August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hunred and thirty one [illegible] Clerk C. C.*

---

**Page 22** (5559_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

served this writ on William
P Tillton on 3rd August 1831
[illegible]

*Jn K Walker Shrff[?]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

William Henry
vs D. G. Bates
for

*Wm. P Tillton forthwith for
Plaintiff*

---

**Page 23** (5559_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for John Gillis*

County Of St. Louis ,Sct. State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of saint Louis County----Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon John Gillis
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in proper person before the Judge
of our Circuit Court , forthwith [illegible] [illegible] at the City of St. Louis , then
and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein William Hennry is plaintiff, and
David G Bates is defendant, on the part of the
plaintiff; and have you then this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this third day of august in
the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one Archibald gamble Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 24** (5559_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on John Gillis 3rd august
1831 in the city of St Louis

*John K Walker
by J Brotherton [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

july term 1831
William Henry
vs
David Bates
for plantiff

*[illegible] John Gillis forthwith*

---

**Page 25** (5559_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Lewis Oldenberg*

County Of St. Louis , Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of St. Louis County- Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Lewis Oldenburg
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 [illegible] forthwith [illegible] at the City of
St. Louis then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now
pending in our said Court, wherein William Henry is plantiff
and David G Bates is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff; and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the city of St. Louis , this 6th day
of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty one A Gamble Clerk C. C.*

---

**Page 26** (5559_026.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

William Henry vs.
D. G. Bates
for
Lewis Oldenburg
8th august for
plaintiff
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on Lewis Oldenburg in the
city of St. Louis the 9th day of August
1831 by Reading it to him

*John K Walker Shff
by John Brotherton [illegible]*

---

**Page 27** (5559_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Joseph Wherry*

County of St. Louis , Sct. The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff Of St. Louis County
Greeting.
We command you to attach Joseph A . Wherry
by his body, and him safely keep, so that you have his
body before the Judge of our Circuit Court , now in session at the City of St. Louis , within and for
the county of St. Louis , forthwith [illegible] then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in our
said Circuit Court , between William Henry is plaintiff, and David G. Bates is defendant, wherein the said Joseph A . Wherry
has heretofore been summoned, on the part of of the said plaintiff

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Court, at the
city of St. Louis , this seventh day of August 1831 Archibald Gamble clerk*

---

**Page 28** (5559_028.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed and have the body of
J. A. Wherry in court on the
10th August 1831

*John K. Walker Shff served*
> *Legal Function: Summons for Joseph Wherry Part 2*

July term 1831
William Henry
David G . Bates
Attached for Jo. A. Wherry
Wherry to
pay cost

---

**Page 29** (5559_029.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Charles S. St. Vrain*

County Of St. Louis , Sct. State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of saint louis County----Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Charles D. St.Vrain for the Plantiff
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 10th day of August [illegible] at 9o clock [illegible] at the City of St. Louis , then
and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein William is plaintiff, and
David G Bates is defendant, on the part of the
plaintiff; and have you then this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this 9th day of August in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one Archibald gamble Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 30** (5559_030.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Chls St. Vrain[?]not found

*[illegible] [illegible] 121/2*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Wm Henry
vs
D. G. Bates

---

**Page 31** (5559_031.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury Instructions*

If the jury believe from the evidence that the plaintiff
was carried to galena and held in Slavery there by a [illegible] there permanently as his property with the [illegible] of nothing that place the [illegible]
their the plantiff is to be
[illegible] free from such person and all claming [illegible]
he him:
If the jury believe from the evidence that the plaintiff was born in the former north west territory [illegible] the year 1787 and that he has him
held in Slavery several years in the state or late
Territory of Illinois there they are bound to find the
plaintiff free [illegible] all persons so holding him in
Slavery or claiming under there
> *Legal Function: Jury Instructions Part 2*

No 30 July Term 1830

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**Page 32** (5559_032.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury Instructions Part 3*

Peter Ferguson

*Ferguson*

---

**Page 33** (5559_033.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury Instructions*

That if it appear by the evidence to the satisfaction
of the Jury that the plaintiff first [illegible]
in Illinois in the [illegible] of a resident of
that county, held as a slave till 1825. Then [illegible] have been transferred from hand to hand as a
slave [illegible] at the [illegible] of this
writ held as a slave by the defendant.
The plaintiff the [illegible] be a slave

*[illegible]*

---

**Page 34** (5559_034.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Verdict*

William Henry vs. David G . Bates
The jury in the above case find
the defendant guilty

*[illegible]
foreman*

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

William Henry V. David G. Bates. 1830, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60735