Phillis, alias Susan, a free woman of color, v. Reddin B. Herring

Item

Phillis, Alias Susan, a Free Woman of Color, V. Reddin B. Herring. 1836, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60845

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Case Title: Phillis, alias Susan, a free woman of color, v. Reddin B. Herring
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Phillis
Defendant: Herring, Reddin B.
Date Filed: 1836-09-17
Filing Date: 1836-09-17
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Bird, Gustavus A.
Defendant’s Attorney: Geyer, Henry S.
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1836-11
Clerk: Ruland, John
Sheriff: Brotherton, James; Brotherton, Marshall; Hyde, Geo A.; Willblury, Joseph; Betthorn, F.W.; Knight, W.M.
Cause of Action: Trespass; Assault; Battery; False Imprisonment
Case Notes: Plaintiff, also known as Susan, claims defendant bound her in irons for 12 days in Illinois & then shipped her to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to be sold; plaintiff alleged she was freed by Louisiana Supreme Court; damages $5,000.
Case Number: 51
Identifier: ccr1836.06784.040
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **Phillis, alias Susan, a free woman of color, v. Reddin B. Herring**

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**Page 1** (6784_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

State of Misouri
St. Louis County ss Saint Louis circuit
November Term A D 1836
[illegible] a free woman of color otherwise
called Susan complains of [illegible]
[illegible] of a plea of trespass &
Battery & false imprisonment for that
[illegible] on the first day of
October in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred & twenty four at St. Louis in said
county the said defendant with force
& arms an assault did make upon
the same plaintiff and did then & there
[illegible] any [illegible] on probable cause
find her hands & her [illegible]
[illegible], and did then & there [illegible] any
lawful or probable cause bind her hands
said plaintiff to slavery & false imprisonment
he the said said defendant then
and there knowing the said plaintiff
to be a free person and the plaintiff
ours that afterwards on the first
day of December in the year [illegible] aforesaid
at Balan range[?] in the State of [illegible] at St. Louis aforesaid and
the said defendant said said plaintiff
as a slave and the plaintiff ours that
from the day first aforesaid untill the
first day of December in the year last
of own land hundred &thirty
five she has been held and detained as a slave
by said defendant and other claiming

---

**Page 2** (6784_002.jpg)
her as such [illegible] said Defendant
touch at the place last aforesaid.
And said plaintiff ours that for from
the first day of October eighteen hundred &
twenty four until the first day of December
eighteen hundred & thirty five by reason of
the [illegible] aforesaid she has been presented from Labouring for himself and
carring and securing larger sum of
many touch the sum of eleven hundred
dollars which sum she said plaintiff and
& [illegible] & earned and secured herself By means of which said
several grievances said plaintiff says she
is greatly [illegible], and hath sustained
damage to five thousand Dollars

*G A Bird attorney for
plaintiff*
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*

State of Missouri
St. Louis County ss.
[illegible] otherwise Susan the
plaintiff in the aforesaid Declaration
mentioned on her oath says that she has
a [illegible] and unsatisfied cause of action
against Reddin [illegible] and the same as
stated in the [illegible] Declaration she
further says that said [illegible] as [illegible]
as she can recall in the fall of the
year 1823 on 1824 at the City of St. Louis
in the right time sayed this affiant put a
rape around her neckso as to choke
her of [illegible]-he then in [illegible]

---

**Page 3** (6784_003.jpg)
[illegible] took affiant to near
[illegible] in Illionis where he [illegible]
the hands & [illegible] of with irons
he these affiant bound as
aforesaid for about 10 or 12 days
then put affiant in a [illegible] said [illegible]
then put [illegible] an a flat Boat had
her taken to Baton Rouge & there said
as a slave and said [illegible]
all this time that affiant
This affiant has been held as a slave
[illegible] taken by [illegible] as aforesaid untill
the [illegible] 19th day
of march 1836 where she was [illegible] by
the Judgement of the supreme court of the
state of Louisiana This affiant
is healthy and has always been
a good servant while her suit was pending
for freedom in new orleans the hired 12 dollar per month. This affiant
belives that she could have earned
at the rate of one hundred Dollars a
year during the period she has been as aforesaid change of all
[illegible] said Defendant is a resident of
the state of [illegible] is now him
and about to remove from this state
This affiant fears that she [illegible]
be in danger of [illegible] the damages
she may recover in sand sent [illegible]
said Defendant shall he held to court

*Phillis X her mark sworn to & subscribed before me their 17 Sep: 1836 John Ruland Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 4** (6784_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Other*

on the foregoing affidavit a copies is allowed and the defendant orderd to be held to bail
in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars.

*John Ruland clerk of the circuit court.*
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri , To the sheriff of the County of Saint Louis greeting:
we ommand you to take Ridden B. Herring if he be found in your County, so that
you have his body before our Honorable Circuit court, on the first day of the next term
thereof, to begun and held at the City of Saint Louis , within and for the County aforesaid
on the second Monday of November next, then and there to answer unto Philis alias
susan of a plea of trespass, assault and battery and false imprisonment wherefore
the said plaintiff saith she has sustained damage to the amount of five thousand
dollars and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, at
office in the city of Saint Louis with the seal thereof here
to affixed, this seventeenth day of September in
the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty-six.*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*

No 51
November Term 1836
Phillis alias Susan
[illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] of [illegible]

*[illegible]
[illegible] Filed 17th September 1836 John Ruland Clerk
on the [illegible] wit the sheriff will require bail of the defendant in the [illegible]
of $ 1500.
John Ruland Clerk*

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**Page 5** (6784_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on the 17th day of [illegible]
1836 in the county of St. Louis by Reading
it and the declaration to the within named
Reddin B Herring and arresting his body
which was on the same day discharged
from my custody by his giving bond
and security as Required by law which [illegible] herewith Returned

*James Brotherton Sheriff
By M Brotherton Deputy
Sheriff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | $ 1.00 |
| Bond | 50 |
| | $ 1.50 |

---

**Page 6** (6784_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Common Capias Bond*

[Common Capias Bond.]
Know All Men By The Presents, That we Reddin B Herring
as principal, and
David Coons as security are held and firmly bound unto
Philis alias Susan
in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, to
the payment of which sum well and truly to be made, we do hereby bind ourselves, our
heirs and our representatives, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with
our seals and dated this Seventeenth day of September 1836
The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas
said Reddin B Herring
hath been arrested by the Sheriff of St. Louis County, upon a writ of capias, returnable
to the term of the Circuit Court to be holden on the second Monday of November
next, in the city of St. Louis , within and for the County of St. Louis ,
to answer unto the said Philis alias Susan
in a plea of Trespass assault & battery
and false imprisonment
to the damage of said plaintiff four thousand [illegible]
Now if no judgment shall be given against Reddin B Herring
in said suit, or if judgment be given against said
Reddin B Herring
in said suit, and he shall pay the amount of the recovery, or surrender in
execution thereof, or the said David Coons the
security will do it for him then this obligation shall be void;
otherwise it shall remain in force.

*Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of
Redding B Herring
D. Coons*

---

**Page 7** (6784_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plea*

Phillis alias [illegible]
vs
Ridder B Herring
In [illegible] Circuit Court
And the said Ridder by [illegible]
has [illegible] and defends the [illegible] and [illegible] and says that he is not guilty of the
of the premises in mannered form as the
plaintiff [illegible] above thereof in her declaration
alleged and of this the defendants
feets himself upon the county [illegible]

*Geyer[?] for defts*
and for further plea on this behalf the said Defendant
says that the plaintiff ought not to have maintain her aforesaid [illegible] thereof because
he says that the said several causes
of written in the declaration mentioned did
not nor did [illegible] of then accrue written
two-years next before the commencement of
this next and this the defendant is ready
to verify - wherefore he prays judgment
of the plaintiff ought to have a [illegible]
her aforesaid [illegible] as [illegible]
[illegible]

*Geyer[?] for defts.*

---

**Page 8** (6784_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*

No 51
Nov Term 1836
Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reddin B [illegible]
Pleas

*Filed 28th Nov: 1836
John. Ruland Clerk*

---

**Page 9** (6784_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Reapplication for Plea*

Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reding B Herring
And said plaintiff for
replication the second plea
of said defendant says she ought not
to [illegible] or mantaining
her said [illegible] by reason of any thing
by him in that plea alleged because the
says that immedately after the said
defendant took and imprisoned her as
in her declaration is [illegible] he took her
to the state of Louisiana and there sold
her as a slave, where she was held in slavery
untill the than two years previous to the
commencement of her said suit and that
during the time she was held in slavery as
aforesaid the defendant was not at
any time a resident of the state of
Louisiana but his place of [illegible] was
unknown to said plaintiff and so
the plaintiff [illegible] that said defendantly
the means aforesaid did obstruct the
or maintaining her said action
against him during all the time she was
held in slavery as aforesaid & this she as
ready to wherefore the prays
judgement

*G A Bird [illegible] for [illegible]*

---

**Page 10** (6784_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*

No 51
November Term 1836
Phillis alias Susan
vs
Redding B Herring
replication to
plea that
she was obstructed by
in bringing her her
[illegible] untill [illegible]

*[illegible] for [illegible]
Replication
Filed 5th January 1837
John Ruland Clerk*

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**Page 11** (6784_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , sct.
State Of Missouri ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis County Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, to summon David Coons Mary Coons , James [illegible] &
Christian F [illegible]
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be and appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the 5th 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 Phillis is plantiff, is and Reddin B Herrin[?] is defendant on the part of the plaintiff
and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at the
City of St. Louis , this 4th day of March
in the year of our Lord one thousand, eigh hundred and thirty seven.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 12** (6784_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ by Reading it
Christian F [illegible] on the 7th James
[illegible] on the 8th [illegible] David Coons and
Mary Coons on the 13th days of
March 1837 in the county of
St. Louis

*James Brotherton Shff
By M Brotherton
Service $ 2.00*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term [illegible] 1837
Phillis
vs Reddin B . Herrin[?]
For plaintiff

*David Coons 13
Mary [illegible] 13
James [illegible] [illegible]
Christians [illegible] [illegible]
for 5th April 1837*

---

**Page 13** (6784_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , sct.
State Of Missouri ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary Coons ,
James Loper & Christian F Keinlien[?]
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 27th July 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 Phillis is
plantiff and Reddin B Herring is
defendant on the part of the plaintiff
and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the City of St. Louis , this 23 day of June
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty 7.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 14** (6784_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1837 [illegible]
Phillis Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons 26
Mary Coons
James Loper
C. F . Keinlein[?] 26
27th July*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ on David Coons
Mary Coons & C F Keinlein[?] on
26th day of June 1837 in the county
of St. Louis James Loper not found
in my county

*James Brotherton
By [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | $ 1.50 |
| [illegible] | [illegible] |
| | $ 1.62% |

---

**Page 15** (6784_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , sct.
State Of Missouri ,
To the sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, to summon David Coons , Mary Coons , James Loper
C. F . Keinlein[?]
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 Sixteenth 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 Phillis alias Susan is
plaintiff and Reddin B Herrin[?]
defendant on the part of Plaintiff
and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the City of St. Louis , this Third day of August
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 16** (6784_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1837
Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons 5
Mary Coons 5
James [illegible]
C F [illegible] 4
10th aug 1836*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ by reading it to Keinlein[?]
on the 4th and on David and mary Coons by leaving
a true Copy Thereof at their dwelling house,
with a white member of their family over
the age of fifteen years, on 5th day of August,
1837 in the county of St. Louis James Loper not
found in my county

*James Brotherton Sheriff
By Joseph Willblury[?]*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | $ 1.50 |
| | 12 1/2 |
| [illegible] | $ 1.62 1/2 |

---

**Page 17** (6784_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plea*

Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reddin B Herris
In St. Louis Circuit Court
And the said defendant
as to the said replication of the said plaintiff
to the record plea of the defendant says
that by reason of anything is that after
[illegible] alleged the plaintiff ought not to
have or maintain her a [illegible] aforesaid
because he says that he did not
[illegible] any time years next
before the [illegible] of the suit
hold the said plaintiff is slavery nor
did the said defendant obstructed the
[illegible] or maintaining the said active by
any of the means in the [illegible]
replication in manner and form as the [illegible]
hall in her said replication alleged
and this the defendant prays may
he enquired of by the county

*Geyer[?]*

---

**Page 18** (6784_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*

No 51
[illegible] November Term 1836
Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*Filed 16th August 1837
John Ruland Clerk*
> *Legal Function: Unknown*

continued Book 10 page 4 [illegible] 10p 444 [illegible] 12 p 2

---

**Page 19** (6784_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , sct.
State Of Missouri ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, to summon David Coons Mary Coons
[illegible], C.F. Reinlein[?] 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 28th November 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 Phillis alias Susan is plantiff and Reddin B .Herring is defendant on the part of [illegible]
and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the City of St. Louis , this 27th day of [illegible]
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 20** (6784_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

not executed, the docket being [illegible]

*James Brotherton Sheriff
[illegible] 50 [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

November Term 1837
Phillis alias Susan
vs
R.B. Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons
Mary Coons
[illegible]
C FKeilien[?]
28th November1837*

---

**Page 21** (6784_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , sct.
State Of Missouri ,
To the sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, to summon David Coons, Mary Coons
Jas. Loper, C F Keinlein[?] 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 [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 Phillis alias Susan plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is defendant on the part of [illegible] and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the City of St. Louis , this 29th day of November
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 22** (6784_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

[illegible] of the [illegible] named [illegible]
found

*J Brotherton Sheriff
[illegible] $=50*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

November Term 1839
Phillis alias Susan
vs
R.B.Herring
plff.

*D . Coons
Mary Coons
[illegible]
C.F.[illegible]
24th November 1839*

---

**Page 23** (6784_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St. Louis , sct.
The State Of Missouri ,
To the sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, to summon David Coons , Mary Coons ,
James Loper & Christian F Keinlein[?] 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 27th March 1838 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 Phillis alias Susan is
plantiff and Reddin B.Herring is defendant on the part of the Plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit court,
at the City of St. Louis , this 10th day of February
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty 8.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 24** (6784_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Unexecuted Summons*

Not executed on account of the adjoinment
of Court

*James Brotherton Sheriff*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1838
Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reddin B Herring
27th March plff.

*David Coons
mary Coons
[illegible]
C. F . Keinlein[?]*

---

**Page 25** (6784_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis , Sct,
The State of Missouri ,
To The Sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon David
Jas Loper, Christian F Keinley that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 13th day of April next at the City of St.Louis , then and there to Testifiy,
and the truth to say, in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein Philis alias Susan
plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is defendant on the part of Plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this 19th day of March
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
John. Ruland Clerk, C. C. by
Geo A. Hyde Depty*

---

**Page 26** (6784_026.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ by offering to read The same to C F
Keinlen on The 23, and to David Coons on The 26th days
of March, 1838 which they refused to hear read and
acknowledged the service Thereof. and by leaving an
true copy thereof at the dwelling house Mrs. Mary
Coons , with a white member of her family over
The age of fifteen years, in the 29th dy of March,
1838- all done in The County of St. Louis - [illegible] dead

*James Brotherton Sheriff [illegible]
Joseph Willblury[?]*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | $ 1.50 |
| [illegible] | 12 1/2 |
| | $ 1.62 1/2 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

[illegible] March Term[illegible] 1838
Philis alais Susan
vs
Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons 26
Mary Coons 29
James Saper -
C F Keinlen 23
13th April*

---

**Page 27** (6784_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis , Sct,
The State of Missouri ,
To The Sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary Coons , James
Loper, Christian F Keinley that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 23rd July [illegible] at the City of St.Louis , then and there to Testifiy,
and the truth to say, in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein Phillis alias Susan plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is defendant on the part of Plaintiff
and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this 2 day of July
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C. by Geo . A Hyde*

---

**Page 28** (6784_028.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ in the County of St .
Louis on the 21st day of July 1838 by
leaving a true copy, thereof at the rsidence
of David & Mary Coons with a free white
person over the age of fifteen years- and by
reading it to C F Kienlan- James Loper
not found in my County

*James Brotherton Sheriff
By F.W.Betthorn[?] Dpty*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 1.50 |
| [illegible] | .12 |
| | $ 1.62 1/2 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1838
[illegible]
Phillis alias Susan
vs
Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons 21
Mary Coons 21
(Copy)
Jas. Loper [illegible]
Christian F Keinlien[?] 21
23rd July*

---

**Page 29** (6784_029.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis , Sct,
State Of Missouri ,
To The Sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary Coons ,
James [illegible], Christian F Keinley
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 21st August [illegible] at the City of St.Louis , then and there to Testifiy,
and the truth to say, in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein Philis alias Susan
plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is defendant on the part of Plff
and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this 2 day of August
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Jno Ruland Clerk, C. C. by
Geo.A [illegible]*

---

**Page 30** (6784_030.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ by
> *Legal Function: Caption*

July Term 1838
[illegible]
Phillis alias Susan vsHerring
[illegible]

*David Coons 16 Mary Coons 16 James. Loper Christian F Keinlen 21st August*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution, part 2*

[illegible] this writ by reading it
to Christian F Kienlen on the 15th
and by leaving a true copy, thereof
at the rsidence of David Coons
& Mary Coons on 16th days
of August 1838 in the County of
St. Louis James Loper not found

*[illegible] Brotherton Sheriff Fees $ 1.62 1/2*

---

**Page 31** (6784_031.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis ,Sct, State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff of St. Louis County---Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary Coons ,
James Loper , Christian F Keinley
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 29th august at the City of St.Louis , then and there to Testifiy,
and the truth to say, in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein Philis alias Susan is
plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is
defendant on the part of Plff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this 1st day of august
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Jn. Ruland Clerk,C. C.by Geo.A [illegible]*

---

**Page 32** (6784_032.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on all the written
named witnesses exception Loper who is
dead

*M Brotherton Sheriff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |   |
|---|---|---|
| Service | [illegible].50 | |
| [illegible] | 12 1/2 | # 1.62 1/2 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Nov Term 1838
[illegible]
Phillis alias Susan vs Reddin Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons Mary Coons copy James.Loper Christian F Keinlen 29th [illegible]*

---

**Page 33** (6784_033.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of St Louis ,Sct, The State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff of St. Louis County,-Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary Coons ,
Christian F Keinlen , that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 29th March [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 Philis alias Susan is plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is
defendant on the part of Plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit Court , at
the City of St. Louis , this 6 day of March
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty nine Jno Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 34** (6784_034.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ in St. Louis County by reading it
to the witnhin named witnesses March 25th 1839

*Marshall Brotherton Shf By W.M. Knight Service 1.50*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March T 1839
Phillis alias Susan vs Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons Mary Coons C F Keinlen 29th March*

---

**Page 35** (6784_035.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis , Sct, State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff of St. Louis County,-Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary Coons ,
Christian F Keinlen , that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 29th March 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 Philis alias Susan is
plaintiff and Reddin B Herring is defendant on the part of Plf. and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this 5th
day of April in the year of our Lord, eighteen
hundred and thirty nine Jno Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 36** (6784_036.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March T 1839
Phillis alias Susan vs Reddin B Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons Mary Coons Chirstian F Keinlen 16th April*

---

**Page 37** (6784_037.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis ,Sct, State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff of St. Louis County,-Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon David Coons , Mary
Coons & Christian F Keinlen , that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, they be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 10th day of Dec; 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 Philis alias Susan , is
plaintiff and Reddin B Herring , is
defendant on the part of the Plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this twenty fourth
day of October in the year of our Lord, eighteen
hundred and thirty nine Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 38** (6784_038.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ in the County of St. Louis
on the 5th day of December 1839 by reading it to
Christian Keinlen, David Coons & Mary Coons

*Marshall Brotherton Sheriff Service $ 1.50*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Nov; Term 1839
Phillis alias Susan vs R.B. Herring
[illegible]

*David Coons Mary Coons C F Keinlen 10th Dec 5.*

---

**Page 39** (6784_039.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

County of Saint Louis ,Sct, State Of Missouri , To The Sheriff of St. Louis County,---Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon Christian F Keinlen
& David Coons
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 10th day Dec; 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 Philis otherwise Susan , is
plaintiff and Reddin B Herring , is
defendant on the part of Plaintiff and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this fifth
day of May
in the year of our Lord, eighteen
hundred and forty Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

---

**Page 40** (6784_040.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1840.
Phillis alias Susan vsRedding B Herring
D Coons for Christian F Keintin [illegible]

*for the with [illegible] Coons*

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