Rebecca, a colored girl, by and through her next friend, Harris v. Louis Mattock and James Black
Item
Rebecca, a Colored Girl, by and through Her Next Friend, Harris V. Louis Mattock and James Black. 1838, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60864
- Case Title
- Rebecca, a colored girl, by and through her next friend, Harris v. Louis Mattock and James Black
- Series
- Freedom Suits
- Plaintiff
- Rebecca
- Defendant
- Mattock, Louis
- Black, James
- Date Filed
- 1838-06-13
- Next Friend
- Harris
- Filing Date
- 1838-06-13
- Defendant’s Attorney
- Sullivan, J. T. S.
- James, William
- Court Name
- St. Louis County Court
- Court Term
- 1838-06
- Clerk
- Ruland, John
- Justice of the Peace
- Lawless, Luke E.
- Peery, James M
- Sworn Declarant
- Mattock, Louis
- Black, James
- Cause of Action
- Trespass
- False Imprisonment
- Assault
- Battery
- Case Notes
- Plaintiff, aged 17, claimed she was first owned by Judge William James of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; given to daughter Emily & James Black of Vandalia, IL; hired to William Drayless, Kaskaskia, IL; taken to Quincy, IL by Maria Field; went to St. Louis.
- Case Number
- 237
- Identifier
- ccr1838.06786.039
- Source
- Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- PDF Download
- Download PDF of all images
- Transcription
-
**Rebecca, a colored girl, by and through her next friend, Harris v. Louis Mattock and James Black**
---
**Page 1** (6786_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*
To the Honourable Luke E & Lawless page of
the circuit court for the county of St.Louis in the State
of missouri
The petition if [illegible] a coloured
respectfully show. He is about to institute a [illegible] for person
I in conformity with the Law relative then to
would show that he was originally the slave of the judge
William James & [illegible] Missouri that upon the marriage
of his daughter Emily with one James Black she was given into the change of [illegible] & by him summoned
[illegible] in the state of Illinois - that she was so removed
when about six to seven years of [illegible] - that upon
the death of [illegible] Black she was hired to one William
[illegible] of [illegible] also in the state of Illinois the
afterwards after the short stay of one year with her
former master said [illegible] at [illegible]
of was taken by a Maria filia[?] also a daughter
of said [illegible] James to [illegible] in the state of Illinois
where she [illegible] from the fall of 1836 to the spring
of 1837, [illegible] formerly in the usual [illegible] of
a household amount that she wa there brought
by a me George Wolf to the city of St. Louis [illegible]
put at different place, but since last January has
been in the home a employ of St.
Louis County who now holds her in slavery & claim her services - that the said James Black claim her his slave & property and resides in [illegible] as mentioned
Your petitioner would state that she is
a poor person [illegible] unable to proscute her [illegible]
permitted to do as a poor person - [illegible]
---
**Page 2** (6786_002.jpg)
[illegible] your [illegible] for [illegible] to [illegible] in
that - form -
*[illegible] X his
[illegible]*
county of St. Louis
state of missouri
[illegible] the above named
petitioner makes affidavite on oath States that
the facts set forth in the above petition are tried
*[illegible] X
mark sworn & subscribed to
[illegible] this 13th day of
June 1838
[illegible] of this from*
This hereby named that [illegible] the within
named petitioner be allowed to sue as a poor person to
[illegible] her right [illegible] is [illegible]
as her [illegible] - - It is also or [illegible] that she have
reasonable liberty to attend her counsel Court as occassion[?]
may requirethat she be art [illegible] out of the Jurisdiction
of the court & that she he [illegible] to any severity
on account of her application for freedom [illegible]
my land this 13th June 1838.
*[illegible]
[illegible]*
---
**Page 3** (6786_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis*
To [illegible] Ruland , Clerk of Circuit Court for County
of St. Louis in state of Missouri
The petition of [illegible] a [illegible] respectfully
[illegible] show that the is about to institute
a suit for establishing of her claim to [illegible] that she being [illegible] within age of
twenty one years that is today about the age of
seventeen year [illegible] is [illegible] that some person
duly qualified should prosecute the suit
for her - the there fore proposes
I [illegible] & prays that he may be permitted
to act as hernext [illegible] in the [illegible]
*[illegible]
X his [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Affidavit of Next Friend*
I Harris I [illegible] as [illegible] to become the
next fiend of the above [illegible] &
[illegible] in that chance in the matter
[illegible]
*[illegible] L [illegible]*
---
**Page 4** (6786_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Amended Complaint*
Circuit Court July term.A. D
1838 County of St. Louis
State of Misouri
Rebecca a colored girl
an infant [illegible] age of twenty one years by his next friend
Harris L [illegible] complains of James
Black I Lewis [illegible] of a plea of trespass
Imprisonment. [illegible] that therefore to writ or the first
day of March one thousand eight hundred thirty
eight at the county aforesaid the said Defendant
with force & arms an assault made in the said plaintiff
[illegible] her the said
plaintiff [illegible] in [illegible] imprisoned [illegible]
said plff [illegible] hath kept & [illegible] her in
prison from the [illegible] last aforesaid [illegible] day
[illegible] to [illegible] of the [illegible] in [illegible] made
& provided & against the peace & dignity of the
[illegible] the plaintiff [illegible] that before [illegible] the time
of the committing of the said and grievances
she was and still is a free person [illegible] that the Defendants
plea her the plff in [illegible] the plff days that she is greatly
injured sustained damage to to
the amount of five hundred dollars
she sues -
*I [illegible] plff.*
---
**Page 5** (6786_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
No
Circuit Court July
term. A. D.1828
Rebecca [illegible]
vs
James Black & Louis
[illegible] - - -
Suit for [illegible] under
[illegible] plff [illegible]
a poor person. Clerk
will plase [illegible] -
*[illegible] for [illegible] -*
---
**Page 6** (6786_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County of St. Louis , ss . The State Of Missouri , To the Sheriff of the County of St. Louis ---Greeting:
We command you to Summon, James Black & Louis Mattack
if they be in your county to appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the first day of the next term thereof, to be held
at the City of St. Louis , within and for the County of St. Louis , on the second Monday
of July next, then and there to answer unto Rebecca , a Coloured
Girl, of a plea of trespass for false imprisonment
to the damage of said plaintiff of five hundred dollars
dollars:And have you then there this writ.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said
Court, with the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the
City of St. Louis , this thirteenth day of
June in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and thirty-eight
Jn. Ruland Clerk. by
Depty [illegible] Geo. [illegible]*
---
**Page 7** (6786_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
No 237
St. Loui Circuit Court
July Term 1838
Rebecca (a Coloured Girl)
vs
James Black & Louis Mattock
Suit for freedom - sUm - $ 500 [illegible]
Sproat atty.
Black acknoweldged[?]
12th June
*Filed 13th June 1838 Jn. Ruland Clerk*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this writ by offering to read it and the
declaration to James Black, on the 12th day of June,
1838, in the County of St. Louis , all of which he refused
to hear read and acknowledged the service thereof
Louis Mattock not found in my County
*James Brotherton Sheriff By joseph W [illegible]*
| | |
|---|---|
| Service | \$1.00 |
| [illegible] | 50 |
| | $ 1.50 |
---
**Page 8** (6786_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Answer*
In the St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1838 .
James Black and Louis Mattock
ads.
Rebecca ,
In trespass
Plea.
And now the said Black and Mattock,
by their attorney sullwan, comes and defend
the force and injury when [illegible] and say that
they are not guilty of the said supposed trespasses
above laid to their Charge, or any parts
thereof, in manner and form as the said Dff.
hath above whereof against them
And of this they, the said Black and Mattock,
put themselves upon the country [illegible] -
*Sullwan atty:for Dffs -*
---
**Page 9** (6786_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
No 237In the Saint Louis [illegible] Court
July Term 1838 .
James Black and Swis Malloch
ads.
Rebecca
In Trespas
plea
*Sullivan
atty Filed 12th July 1838 John Ruland Clerk*
[illegible] Book 10 page 68 [illegible] Bk 12 p 26 - [illegible] Bk 12 p 215
[illegible] Bk 13 p 51 - [illegible] suit Bk 13 p 268
---
**Page 10** (6786_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Proposed Interrogatories*
In St. Louis Circuit Court Nov.Term.1838
Rebecca
vs.
Black & [illegible].
Interrogatoris to be proposed
to William James
of U. [illegible] - No.
by consent of parties
---
**Page 11** (6786_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Interrogatories*
[illegible]
vs
[illegible]
In St. Louis Circuit Court [illegible] 1838
[illegible] underwith and the arthur of william James [illegible] [illegible] to [illegible] John
[illegible] of the [illegible] County [illegible]
the [illegible] in the [illegible] of [illegible] on the
19th day of November A. D. 1838 when and where the said [illegible]
James , being duly [illegible] continued and sworn, on his [illegible]
aforesaid and [illegible] and [illegible] and [illegible] which
said answers see schedule (A) [illegible]
questions agreed upon by the counsel of plaintiff and defendants in the above case, the night and form of notice being to william james of [illegible] state of Missouri and sworn to in same names as prescribed by [illegible] in cases of depositions
question proposed by counsel for plaintiff [illegible]
1.Did you or did you note make and execute
a certain Deed of trust to Thomas M.
[illegible] hearing [illegible] the sixth day of october
eighteen thirth eight, wherein a certain negroe
girl was as conveyed to said [illegible] for the [illegible]
and [illegible] of Caroline Black daughter of
James Black?
2.Did you or did you not hold said slaves
so conveyed as you properly after said conveyance
once in [illegible]? and if so in what manner
and how long?
---
**Page 12** (6786_012.jpg)
3.Did you ever give, or did you not your
consent to the removal of said Rebecca
to the state of Illinois of so when, and under
what circumstances and was such consent
given before or after making said Deed of
trust?
4.Did you ever make any other deed of
trust of said above named negroes and
especially ofsaid Rebecca to said Thomas
[illegible] or to any other person, save the
one above [illegible] and referred to ?
5.are you aware and do you know that
Rebecca the slave in question resided
at any time in Illinois If so state
where, with whom and how long
6.Have you ever heard any assumptions of
Blacks one of the Defendants as
to the residence of himself and family in
the state of Illinois with said Rebecca
If to state [illegible]
*[illegible]
[illegible] for [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] for [illegible]*
---
**Page 13** (6786_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Interrogatories*
(Section A)
Question 1st did you or did you not make and execute
a certain Deed of trust to Thomas M.Horine bearing
date the seventh day of October, Eighteen Thirty eight
where in a certain negros girl was so conveyed to said
Horine for the use and behalf of Caroline Black,
Daughter of James Black.
answer I never made to Thomas M. Horine any deed
of trust of the date mentioned, but on the 18th of October
1832, & made a deed to said Horine for three young negroes
in truse for the entire use and benefit of my daughter
Emily Black, and her three children, William, Maria
and Caroline, (the said Emily Black died at [illegible] in
the sate of Illinois three years ago last summer or the
begining of the fall) That is to say for the use and benefit of my Daughter [illegible], until her three children shall [illegible]
at lawful age, after which time the right of my said
daughter Emily should cease, and the right use and benefit
of the said three negroes should be tested in her three
childrens, in the following manner, to writ, william. Black
should have delivered to him a negro by named Jeffrey
then about seven years of age, when the said william
should arrive at twenty one years of age, Maria M.Black
sholuld have delivered to her, a negro girl named Mary , or
Polly , then about five years of age and her increase when
she should arrive at the age of eighteen years [illegible]
and Carroline Black was to have delivered to her a
negro girl, named [illegible], than about ten or eleven years
of age, and her increase when the said Caroline should
arrive at the age of eighteen years; the said negro Rebecca
had, when I made the said and, trust a large [illegible] on
head, occasionaly, a burn The said Caroline
Black, to [illegible] the said negro Rebacca, was
---
**Page 14** (6786_014.jpg)
given in said deed of trust, died at my house in the
County of St. Genivence, in the State of Missouri , something
more than three years age, at the age of about three
or four years.-
Question 2nd Did you or did you not hold said slaves so
conveyed as your property aftr said conveyance in trust?
and if, so in what manner and how long ?
Answer I never held said slave Rebecca as my property,
after I gave her to my said daughter Emily and grand
daughter Caroline , as mentioned in my answer to said first interogatory- The gift took place at my house about [illegible] he for the execution
and date of the said Deed of trust to Horine , with this special
order to th said Emily that the said negro Rebecca was
not to be removed from the state of Missouri
3rd Did you ever give, or did you not, your consent to the
removal of said Rebecca into the State of Illinois [illegible] so,
when and under what circumstances; and was such consert
given but one on after making said deed of trust
Answer So far from giving my consult to the removal of said
Rebecca to the State of Illinois , I positively and repeated by
forbade my said daughter Emily, and also my other children
from doing so, and I never gave my consent to any such
removal
Q 4th, Did you ever make any other Deed of trust of said
above named negroes and especally of said Rebecca to
said Thomas M Horine or to any othr person, save
the one above [illegible] and referred to ?
Answer, I never in any manner or form, made any other
deed of trust to said Horine , nor to any othr
person, for said negroes or either of them, than that
dated October 18th 1832, and refered to in my answer
to the first interrogatory?
---
**Page 15** (6786_015.jpg)
5, are you aware and do you know that Rebecca, the slave in
question resied at any time in Illinois If so, state where
with whom and how long?
Answer. I do not know that said negro ever resided in Illinois
6th [illegible]. Have you over heard any admissions of on Black, one
of the defendants as to the esidence of the
himself and family in the state of Illinois with said
Rebecca? If so, state it.
Answer. I do not recollect that I ever heard from Mr. Black
that the said negro Rebecca, had resided with him
in his family in Illinois, on the other hand, he
has written to me that he had no claim for
himself on the said negro Rebecca and further
[illegible] not.
*William James*
> *Legal Function: Certification*
State of Missouri
County of the [illegible] ss:
I John [illegible], a [illegible] of he [illegible] and for said
County, [illegible] that on the day of the data, hereof William James of lawful age, and made oath, in the
holy of Almighty [illegible], that the foregoing
and answer to the interrogatories propounded which in that
behalf, contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but
the truth of his knowledge in the case of Rebecca vs. Black & that lock,
in a suit now defending in the St. Louis Circuit
Court -
*given under my hand this 19th day of November
A. D.1838. John M arthur, Justice ofthe peace [illegible] fees 1.37 1/2*
---
**Page 16** (6786_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Rebecca
vs
Black [illegible]
Opened & filed Nov. 24th 1838
*John Ruland Clerk
[illegible]*
---
**Page 17** (6786_017.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 B . Waterman and
Henry Blackwill
that setting aide 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 January
1840 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 Rebecca (coloured) is
plaintiff and Black & Mattocks is
defendant on the part of
and have you then there this writ.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this ninth
day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 18** (6786_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this writ in the County of
St. Louis by reading it to Henry Blackwill
on the 9th January 1840 -D. B. [illegible]
not found
*W. Brotherton Sherff*
| | |
|---|---|
| Service | 50 |
| Non[illegible] | 12 |
| | 62 |
Circuit Court November
Term A D 1839
[illegible] a
vs
Black & [illegible]
[illegible] for plff
*[illegible] B. Araterman
([illegible] New [illegible]
in one of Christy [illegible]) [illegible]
Henry Blackwell
(Printer in [illegible]) 10th January*
---
**Page 19** (6786_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Notice to Take Depositions*
Rebecca [illegible]
vs
James Black &
Lewis Mattock
In the Circuit Court , for the County
of St. Louis state of Missouri .
Tothe above named plaintiff.
You are hereby Notified, That Depositions of Witness to be read in evidence
in the above cause, on the part of the defendant will be taken at
the residence of James Black in town of [illegible]
in the County of [illegible] and state of Illinois on the sixteenth
day of march in [illegible] between the hours of 8 0'clock
in the forenoon, and 6 0'clock in the afternoon: and that the taking of said depositions, if
not completed on that day, will be continued from day at the same place and between
the same hours, till completed.
*James Black &
Lewis Mattock
[illegible] B. [illegible]
St. Louis
4 March 1840*
---
**Page 20** (6786_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
Served this Notice in the county of St. Louis
on the 4th day of March 1840 by delivering a true
copy there of to Haris[?] L. [illegible] the attorney
for plaintiff
*Marshall Brotherton sheriff by [illegible] [illegible] 50 [illegible]*
---
**Page 21** (6786_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Notice to Take Depositions*
County Of St. Louis ,Sct. The State Of Missouri , To any Judge or Justice of the Peace or other Judicial Officer of the
State of Illinois
Greeting.
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and circumspection, do authorize
and require you, that you cause to come before you, such person or persons as
shall be named to you by James [illegible] & Lewis Matlock
Attorney or Agent, and him or them examine upon his, her or their corporal oath, (to be
by you administered,) touching their knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain
matter of controversy, now pending in our Circuit Court , for the County of St. Louis ,
wherein Rebecca is
plaintiff and James [illegible] & Lewis Matlock are
defendant on the part of the afendants and having
so reduced the said depositions so taken by you a aforesaid in writing, you are required
to send the same, together with this commision, enclosed under your seal, to our said
Circuit Court , with all convenient speed.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this fourth
day of March in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and [illegible] forty .
John Ruland Clerk C. C.*
---
**Page 22** (6786_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*
Deposition of Maria Field a witness, produced, sworn and
[illegible] at the residence of James Black in the town of
Vandalia[?] in the County of Fayette and State of Illinois, before
me James U. Peery a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County of Fayette and State of Illinois aforesaid, in a certain cause
now pending in the Circuit Court for the County of St. Louis in the
state of Missouri between Rebecca plaintiff and James Black
and Swis Mattock Defendants, on the part of the said Defendants.
Maria [illegible] aforesaid of lawful age being produced, sworn
and [illegible] on the part of the said Defendants [illegible]
and saith.
"That the girl Rebecca was conveyed by [illegible] to Thoma U. [illegible]
to be held in trust by him for our of James Black; daughter to be [illegible] when
she should arrive at full age - that sometime in august 1836
thi deponent took the said Rebecca with in to [illegible] in the State
of Illinois, when this deponent went then on a visit to her sister
tork the said girl with her as a servant, and intended to return
where with her to the State of Missouri in four or five months,
but that in consequence of the absence of her sisters husband she
concluded to remain with her sister during the with - that she
sent Rebecca to St. Louis in the state of Misouri sometime
in the month of February 1837, and would have sent her
there sooner, but could not in consignment of the [illegible]
the Mississippi river. That she took the said Rebecca with
in to contrary to the wishes and without the consent
of Thomas U. Home to whom she belonged in trust as
aforesaid. - This deponent knows that she was taken to
Vandalia[?] by [illegible] Black, but does not know how long she
unmarried there - Rebecca was were hired to a [illegible]
or any person [illegible] in Kaskaskia nor did [illegible]
in Kaskaskia in the State of Illinois, and further said Deponent
saith not.
*[illegible]*
---
**Page 23** (6786_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*
I James M Peery a Justice of the peace in and for the
County of Fayette and state of Illinois do hereby
Certify that Maria Field the deponent whoe place
of residence is St. [illegible] Co. in the State of Missouri
was by me sworn to testify the whole truth of her
knowledge touching the matter in controversy in the caue
whereas Rebecca is plaintiff and James Black and
Lewis Matlock defendants and the said deponent
was examined and her examination reduceed to
writing and subscribed by said deponent in my
presence on the 16th day of March 1840 between
hours of 8 Deloch in the forenoon and C Deloch
in the afternoon of the said day at the house
of James Black in the Town of Vandalia[?] and
in the County of Fayette and State of Illinois
given and certifyed the 16th day of March
1840.before me
*James M Peery
Justice of the peace for the
County of Fayette & State of Illinois*
---
**Page 24** (6786_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*
I James M Peery a Justice of the peace in
and for the County of Fayette and State of Missouris
do certify that in pursuance the [illegible] commissioner
and notice came before me at the House of James
Black in the Town of Vandalia[?] in the County of
Fayette and State of Illinois, Maria Field who was
by me sworn and examined and her examination
reduceed to writing and subscribed by her in
my presence, and her said deposition is now herewith
retuned, Given at Vandalia[?] this the
16 day of March 1840.
*James M Peery
Justice of the peace for [illegible]
County of Fayetti state of Illinois*
> *Legal Function: Certification*
State of Illinois
FayetteCounty Sct
I James W Berry Clerk of
the County Commissioners Court of Fayette County
aforesaid, do hereby Certify that James U. Peery
whose name is subscribe to the foregoing Certificate
is, and was at the term of signing of the same and acting
Justice of the peace within and for the County of
Fayette and State of Illinois, duly commissioned
and qualiied; and that full faith and credit are
and of right ought to be given to all his Official
acts as such.
*In testimony whereof P
have herein to subscribe my name
and offered the seal of said Count
at Vandalia[?] this 16th day of
March A. D. 1840 [illegible]. M. Berry Clk*
---
**Page 25** (6786_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Opened & filed Mch 25th 1840
Jn Ruland Clerk
> *Legal Function: Cover Page*
Rebecca
vs
Black Matlock
Depostion for defendants
---
**Page 26** (6786_026.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 B .Waterman
[illegible] B. Waterman Henry Black
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 8th day of May 1840
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 Rebecca is
plaintiff and Black & Matlock an [illegible]
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 5th
day of may in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
forty .
John. Ruland Clerk; C. C.*
---
**Page 27** (6786_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*
March term 1840
Rebecca 130
vs
Black Matlocks[?]
for plaintiff
David B Waterman
[illegible] his wife - ([illegible]
new market)
Henry Blackwell
([illegible]
office)
8th May
not served
---
**Page 28** (6786_028.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 James M Duncan
[illegible]
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 11th January A D
1841 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 Rebecca([illegible]) is
plantiff and Black and Matlock at [illegible] is
defendant on the part of [illegible]
and have you then there this writ.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this fourth
day of january in the year of our Lord, eighteen
hundred and forty one .
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 29** (6786_029.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
[illegible] 140
Rebecca (col.girl)
vs
Black Matlocks[?]
for [illegible]
*James M.Duncan William [illegible] John [illegible] 11th Jan. 1841*
The [illegible] not found
*M.Brotherton Sheff
fee. 37*
---
**Page 30** (6786_030.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 B .Waterman
& Henry Blackwell
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 11th January A. D.
1841
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 Rebecca (colour girl) is
plaintiff and Black and Matlock is
defendant on the part of Plaintiff
and have you then and there writ.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, at the City of St. Louis , this fourth
day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
forty one .
Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 31** (6786_031.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Execited this writ by delivering a true copy
thereof to a white member of the family
of David B . Waterman our the age of fifteen
years on the 8th of January 1841 and by reading it to
Henry Black well on the 7th of January 1841
*M.Brotherton Sheff By [illegible] C. Brown
deputy [illegible] 1.00*
[illegible] 140
Rebecca (color girl)
vs
Black Matlock
for plff
*David B Waterman Henry Blackwell 11th Jan .*
---
**Page 32** (6786_032.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion for Continuance*
Rebecca
vs
Black Matlock
March Term A D 1841.
This can continued on [illegible]
of the [illegible] of the Deposition of me Thomas M Horine
I am aware of the taking of the said
Deposition [illegible] on the [illegible] of the
alone [illegible]
the deposition If my memory me by [illegible] It was the understanding between [illegible]
original [illegible] for Defts that [illegible]
[illegible] all formalities and legal technicalities in the
taking of deposition
*[illegible] for plff*
---
**Page 33** (6786_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 James Duncan .[illegible]
John A.[illegible] B.Waterman, Henry Blackman
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, he be appear in proper person
before the Judge of our Circuit court, on the 3rd day of March
A. D. 1841 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 one Rebecca is Black Matlock is
plaintiff and Black [illegible] is
defendant on the part of Plaintiff
and have you then and there writ.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, at the City of St. Louis , this 18th
day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
forty one .
Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 34** (6786_034.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Circuit Court March
term A. D.1841 .
[illegible]
vs
Black Matlock
for [illegible]
*[illegible].Duncan [illegible]
[illegible] Louis [illegible]
John. A. [illegible] D.B.Waterman
henry Blackman
30th March [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
[illegible]
neither of the within
named witness found
*M.Brotherton [illegible]
[illegible] 62 [illegible]*
---
**Page 35** (6786_035.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 Henry Blackwell
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]
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 one rebecca is is
plantiff and Black and Matlock
defendant on the part of plaintiff
and have you then there this writ.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
court, at the City of St. Louis , this 30th
day of march in the year of our Lord, eighteen
hundred and forty one
Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 36** (6786_036.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
not found
*M Brotherton Sheff
12 [illegible]*
[illegible] March
Term Cir Court
1820
Rebecca
vs
Black & Matlock
for plff
*Henry Black well (near new market
[illegible])
[illegible]*
---
**Page 37** (6786_037.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena*
County of St. Louis , ss .
The State Of Missouri ,
To D. B. Waterman
Henry Blackwell James Duncan
[illegible] Johan A [illegible]
Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the 21 October 1841
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 Rebecca (a negro) is
plantiff and Black and Matlock are
defendant on the part of plff
and herein you are in no wise to fail.
*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said court, with the
seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St. Louis ,
this 13 day of October in
the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and
forty one
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 38** (6786_038.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
[illegible]
*M. Brotherton
Shff
Fee 75*
Circuit Court
November Term 1841
Rebecca
vs
Black & Matlock
for plaintiff 21 October
*D. B. Waterman Henry Blackwell - at Republican Office
Henry Blackmore[?] [illegible]. Duncan
[illegible] John A. Sprigg [illegible]*
---
**Page 39** (6786_039.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Depositions in the this
case for Deft taken into
Court Dec 5 1844 for
[illegible] Shepley to use in a
case of this same style
Rebecca, a Colored Girl, by and through Her Next Friend, Harris V. Louis Mattock and James Black. 1838, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60864