Louisa v. Sanford Calvert

Item

Louisa V. Sanford Calvert. 1831, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60754

Full Text: See images and transcription side by side
Case Title: Louisa v. Sanford Calvert
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Louisa
Defendant: Calvert, Sanford
Date Filed: 1831-11-09
Next Friend: Duval, Silas L.
Filing Date: 1831-11-09
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Strother, George French
Defendant’s Attorney: Bates, Edward G.; Allen, Beverly
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1831-11
Judge: Carr, William C.
Clerk: Gamble, Archibald
Justice of the Peace: Walsh, Patrick K.
Sheriff: Walker, John K.; Brotherton, J.
Sworn Declarant: Calvert, John; Duval, Silas L.; Duval, Henry H.; Kelly, William; Calvert, Launcelot H.; Millington, Jeremiah; Busby, Daniel
Cause of Action: Trespass; Assault and Battery; False Imprisonment
Case Notes: Plaintiff sued by next friend, Silas L Duvall; plaintiff born in Virginia & given to defendant by Silas L Duvall when he married Duvall's daughter; plaintiff was taken to Galena, Illinois, where she resided till moved to St. Louis; plaintiff 9 years old.
Case Number: 75
Identifier: ccr1831.06745.021
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **Louisa vs. Sanford Calvert**

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**Page 1** (6745_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 75 St St. Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1831
Louisa
vs
[illegible] [illegible]

*Filed 9th November 1831 Arch Gamble Clerk*

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**Page 2** (6745_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition*

To the Honorable William C. Carr
judge of the circuit court of St. Louis
County
Your petitioner Louisa a girl of
color aged [illegible] years by her next friend
Silas L . Duval [illegible] to your honor
that she was born in the state of Virginia
and about two years last March was given
by Silas L Duval toone Laford[?] Culvert [illegible]
who married his daughter that is [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] after or in a few weeks the Sanford
Culvert
took the petitioner to [illegible] in the
state of Illinois where she resided with
the said Culvert until [illegible] [illegible] over month
when he the said Culvert bought your
petitioner to the city of St Louis state of
Missouri where she has since [illegible] your
petitioner being advised that then [illegible]
fails in to the [illegible] to freedom and that she
is unlawfully held in slavery by the [illegible]
Sanford [illegible] prays [illegible] she may [illegible] for
[illegible] Culvert prays that she [illegible] to establish her right to freedom

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**Page 3** (6745_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition Part 2*

and that your [illegible] will [illegible] the [illegible] a [illegible]
orders to [illegible] your petitioner for [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] from the vindication of this court

*Louisa a girl of color by
her best friend Silas L Duvall[?]*
> *Legal Function: Petition Part 3*

St. Louis County, to writ; the above named Silas L . Duvall[?]
personally appeared before me and made [illegible] that the Statement
made in the above petition is true to the best of his knowledge
and belief

*Silas L. [illegible] Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 7th day of November
A. D. 1831 Patrick Walsh
Justice of the Peace
St. Louis County*
> *Legal Function: Order*

State of Missouri
Third Judicial Circuit sct.
The above named Louisa who petitions by her
next friend Silas L Duval is hereby permitted to institute
suit to [illegible] her right to freedom on the
foregoing petition as a poor peron and for that
purpose> G. F. [illegible] Esquire is hereby assigned to her as
counsel It is furthermore ordered that the said petitioner
have reasonable liberty to all [illegible] her counsel & the court, when
occasion may require and that she shall
not be taken or removed out of the jurisdiction of the court
nor subject to any severity on account of her application for [illegible].

*Given under my hand this
7. November 1831. [illegible] C. [illegible]*

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**Page 4** (6745_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

St. Louis county to wit. Louisa a girl
of color on [illegible] who [illegible] by [illegible]
on of the court by her next friend
Silas L Duvall[?] complains of
Sanford [illegible] of a plea of trespass
for that the said Sanford [illegible]
[illegible] to [illegible] on the first day of
October in the year 1831 with force and
arms made an assault upon the
said Louisa to wit at the county
of St. Louis and then and there beat
bruised and illtreated[?] the said Louisa
and then and there imprisoned her
the said Louisa and left and
obtained her in prison there without
any reasonable or [illegible] probable cause whatsoever
for a long time to wit for the
space of four weeks then next
following, contrary to law and of against
the will of the said Louisa and the
said Louisa avers that you and [illegible] the
[illegible] of the committing the aforesaid
grievances she was and still is a free

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**Page 5** (6745_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint Part 2*

person and that the defendant Sanford
Culvert then held and detainted her and
still holds and detains her in slavery
and other wrongs to the said Louisa then
and there did against the [illegible] and
dignity of the State and to the damage
of the said Louisa five hundred dollars
and then for [illegible] brings suit

*G [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]*

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**Page 6** (6745_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

The State of Missouri
County of Saint Louis ss. To the Sheriff of the County of Saint Louis Greeting
We commanded you to Summon Sanford Calvert 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 Saint Louis on the fourth Monday of November instant then
and there to answer unto Louisa a girl of color an infant who
sues by permission of the court by her next friend Silas L Duvall[?]
of a plea of trespass to the damage of the said Louisa five hundred
dollars and have you then there this writ

*Witness Archibald Gamble Clerk of our said Circuit
Court at office this Ninth day of November One
thousand Eight Hundred and thirty one Archibald Gamble Clerk*

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**Page 7** (6745_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Copy of Order*

(Copy of the Order of the Judge as [illegible] on the petition of Louisa ) State of Missouri
Third Judicial Circuit Sct
The above named Lousia who petitions by her next friend Silas
L Duval is permitted to institute suit to establish her right to freedom on the foregoing
petition as a poor person and for that purpose G.F.Strother Esquire is hereby assigned to her as
counsel- It is furthermore ordered that the said petitioner have reasonable liberty to attend
her counsel & the court when occasion may require and that she shall not be taken or removed
out of the Jurisdiction of the court nor be subject to any severity on account of her application
for freedom.

*Given under my hand this 7. November 1831 Will C. Carr A true copy of the order Archibald Gamble Clerk*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ by reading it and
the declaration to him the Defendant in the City of
St Louis on the 9th Nov 1831. I also
read to him the above copy of the
order of the [illegible] [illegible] C. Carr Judge
of the Cict[?] Court [illegible]. on the same day

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

No 75 Saint Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1831
Louisa a girl
of color
vs
Sanford [illegible]
This is an action
of assault and battery
and false imprisonment for freedom
the [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] -

*G.[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Filed 9th November 1831 Archibald Gamble Clerk*

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**Page 8** (6745_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Plea*

In the Circuit Court
3r Judicial Circuit
Nov. term A D 1831
Sanford Culvert
vs
Louisa
And the said [illegible] comes & [illegible] defends
the force & injury when
&[?] says that he is not guilty
of the said supposed trespass above laid to his charge
or any past thereof in manner & form on the said
ptff hath above thereof complained against
him &[?] thus he puts himself upon the county,
&[?]

*Bates L Allen p.[illegible]. filed Decr 1st 1831 A G*

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**Page 9** (6745_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

[illegible]
> *Legal Function: Caption Part 2*

No 75 Nov. Term 1831
Louisa
vs
Sanford Calvert
plea of
[illegible] [illegible]

*filed Decr 1st 1831 A Gamble Clk*

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**Page 10** (6745_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for John Calvert*

County Of St. Louis , Sct.
State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of Saint Louis County---Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon John Calvert
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 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 Louisa is
plaintiff, and Sandford Calvert is defendant,
on the part of the Defendant; 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 March in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty-two Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 11** (6745_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this
writ on John
Calvert on
the 17th March
1832

*Jn. K. Walker
plff [illegible] 505*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1832
Louisa
vs
Sanford Calvert
for defendant,

*John Calvert on 12th april*

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**Page 12** (6745_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Silas L. Duval, Henry H. Duval, William Kelley, and Lanslot Calvert*

County Of St. Louis , Sct.
State of Missoui, To the Sheriff of Saint Louis County---Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Silas L Duval - Henry H Duval
William Kelly & Lanslot Calvert
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 12th 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 Louisa is
plaintiff, and Sandford Calvert 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 17th
day of March in the year of our Lod one
thousand eight hundred and thirty-two Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 13** (6745_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1832
Louisa
vs
Sanford Calvert

*for plff
Silas L Duval Henry H Duval William Kelly Lanslot Calvert on 12th april*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on Silas L Duval &
Henry H Duval 20th on William Kelly 24
on Lanslot Calvert 26th of March 1832
in St. Louis County

*John K Walker plff
by [illegible]
[illegible] Service $ 2.00*

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**Page 14** (6745_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Jeremiah Millington and Daniel Busby*

County Of St. Louis Sct.
State of Missoui, To the Sheriff of St. Louis County—Greeting.
You Are Hereby Commanded To Summon Jeremiah Willington
Daw Busby
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be and appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , forthwith
at the City of St. Louis , then and there to toify and the truth to say in a certain matter of
controversy now pending in our said Court, wherein Louisa is
plaintiff, and Sanford Calvert
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 2nd day of
May in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty-two A Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 15** (6745_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ
on David Busby
on 2nd May 1832
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March 1832
Louisa
vs
Sanford Calvert

*for
[illegible] Willington
Dan Busby
for forthwith for plff*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Served this writ on D. Busby
[illegible] 2nd and Jerh. Willington on 3rd May
1832 in the City of St. Louis.

*Jn . K . Walker [illegible] \$1.00*

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**Page 16** (6745_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Writ of Attachment for William Kelly*

State Of Missouri ,
County Of St. Louis ,
Sct. To The Sheriff Of Said County....Greeting:
We command you to attach Wm. Kelly
if he may be found within your bailiwick, and bring him forthwith before the Judge
of our Circuit Court , now sitting at the City of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then and
there to answer unto the state of Missouri , touching a certain contempt by him committed, in not
attending as a witness in a case of Louisa is
plaintiff, and Sanford- Calvert
defendant, on the part of the plaintiff after being legally summoned by the sheriff of
the said county, and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Achibald Gamble, Clerk of our said Circuit Court , at
the City of St. Louis , this second day of
May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
and 33 , and of our Independence the*

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**Page 17** (6745_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed
& have the
body of Wm .
Kelly in court
3rd May 1832

*Jn . K
Walker [illegible] \$1.00*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Louisa
vs
Sanford Calvert

*for
Wm Kelly
attachment*

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**Page 18** (6745_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for John Calvert*

County Of St. Louis Sct.
State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St. Louis County—Greeting.
You Are Hereby Commanded To Summon John Calvert
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 Third 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 Louisa
is plaintiff, and Sandford Calvert
is defendant, on the part of the defendant
and have you then there this writ.

*Witness: Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this 29th day of
June in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty-two Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 19** (6745_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1832
Louisa
vs
Sandford Calvert
for defendant

*John Calvert 3rd August*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on John Calvert
in the city of St. Louis on th 3d day
of July 1832

*John K Walker shff by J. Brotherton
[illegible] Service 50 cts*

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**Page 20** (6745_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Silas L. Duval, Henry H. Duval, William Kelly, and Launcelot Calvert*

County Of St. Louis Sct.
State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St. Louis County—Greeting.
You Are Hereby Commanded To Summon Jeremiah Willington Daniel Busby
Silas S Duval - Henry H Duval - William Kelly and
Launcelot Calvert
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 Third 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 Louisa is
plaintiff, and Sanford Calvert
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 29th day of
June in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty-two Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 21** (6745_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1832
Louisa
vs
Sandford Calvert

*for plaintiff
Jerh. Willington 3 Daniel Busby 15 Silas L Duval 7 Henry H [illegible] 1st William Kelly Launcelot Calvert 31 on 3rd august*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Served this writ on Jerh. Willington
on the 3rd July on Silas Duval on the
7th on Daniel Busby 19th& on Launcelot
Calvert on the 31 [illegible] month
& on Henry H Duval on the 14th
Augt 1832 Wmg[?] Kelly not served

*[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] $ 250 1 [illegible] $ 2.62.72*

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

Louisa V. Sanford Calvert. 1831, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60754