Squire Brown, a man of color v. William C. Anderson

Item

Squire Brown, a Man of Color V. William C. Anderson. 1841, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60891

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Case Title: Squire Brown, a man of color v. William C. Anderson
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Brown, Squire
Defendant: Anderson, William C.
Date Filed: 1841-06-26
Filing Date: 1841-06-26
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Davis, John; Dayton, Benjamin B.
Defendant’s Attorney: Blair, Montgomery
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1841-07
Judge: Mullanphy, Bryan
Clerk: Ruland, John
Justice of the Peace: Kretschmar
Sheriff: Brotherton, Marshall; Milburn, Marshall; Lacy, Benjamin; Murphy, Daniel; Decker, E. W.
Sworn Declarant: Moore, William; Quinn, Patrick; Glenn, Thomas; Sternley, John; Wiggins, William; Bamber, Thomas; Anderson, William C. Jr.; Anderson, Eli; Wolfolk, J. J.; Shaw, Hiram; Wirt, Peter; Denny, William; Conn, Joseph H.
Cause of Action: Trespass; False Imprisonment; Assault; Battery
Case Notes: Plaintiff claimed he worked in Illinois for his previous owner, Henry Brown; damages $500.
Case Number: 119
Identifier: ccr1841.06849.024
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **Squire Brown, a man of color v. William C. Anderson**

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**Page 1** (6849_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Petition for Leave to Sue as a Poor Person*

To the Honorable Bryan Mullanphy Judge of the
Circuit Court of St. Louis County.
The petition of [illegible]
Brown a man of color respectfully represents
That he is deserving of
instituting a suit against-one William C Anderson
in order to establish the right of your petitioner to
freedom that his Claim that is founded upon the
following grounds to wit. That Henry Brown who had
formerly owned your petitioner for some six or eight years
prior to the first of May last & during the time he so
owned your petitioner hired out your petitioner to
work in the County of St. Claire State of Illinois that under [illegible] virtue of such hiring petitioner petitioner
did work in said St . Claire County State of Illinois at
various times between the years 1839. & 1841. for several
months at a time: Your petitioner further represents
that somewhere about the first of May last, he
was purchased from Henry Brown his siad former master[?] by the said William & [illegible] that he
is now by the said [illegible] held in slavery
Your petitioner therefore prays that
he may have leave to sue as a poor person in order
to establish his right to freedom.

*Squire his X mark Brown*
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*

State of Missouri
County & St. Louis
p: Squire Brown the above,
named being duly sworn deposes
says that the facts set forth in the above petition
are true to the [illegible] knowledge [illegible] of this
[illegible]

*Squire his X mark Brown Sworn to this 26th day of
June 1841 before me
[illegible]. [illegible],
Justice of the peace*

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**Page 2** (6849_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order*

State of Missouri County of St. Louis
at Chambers
Be it remembered that the within
named Squire Brown is hereby allowed
to sue as a poor person and John
Davis & Benjamin B Dayton Esqres[?] are
assigned as his counsel and it is hereby
ordered that said Brown have reasonable
liberty to attend his counsel
& the Court as occasion may require that he be not not removed out of the
Juisdiction of the court [illegible] St. Louis
Circuit Court , and that he be not
subjected to any severity on account of
his application for freedom. In [illegible]
whereof witness my hand this 28 June 1841

*Bryan Mullanphy judge of
the 8th Cir of Mo*

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**Page 3** (6849_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*

St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1841
St. Louis County ss:
Squire Brown plaintiff in this
suit by his attorneys complains of William Anderson defendant of a plea of tresspass[?].
For that the said defendant heretofore to to wit on the
first-day of June on the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred forty one In the City of St. Louis
at said county with force and arms made an assault
on said plaintiff & then others beat
bruised and ill treated him then and there imprisoned
him kept him in prison without any reasonable or
probable cause whatever for a long space of time
to wit for the space of ten days then next following
contrary to the laws of the State of Missouri
against the will of the said plaintiff and other
[illegible] to the said plaintiff then there did
against the peace of the State of Missouri to
the damage of the said plaintiff of five hundred
dollars.
And the said plaintiff [illegible] that
before at the time of the [illegible] of the greivances[?] aforesaid by the said defendant he the
said plaintiff was and still is a free person &
that the said defendant held and still holds him
in slavery. Therefore he [illegible]

*Dayton & Davis
Plff attys*

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**Page 4** (6849_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

St. Louis Circuit Court
Squire Brown
vs
William C Anderson
Narr[?] in tresspass for false
imprisonment
Damages $ 500[?]

*Issue Summons
Dayton & Davis
Plff attys*

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**Page 5** (6849_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons of William C. Anderson*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St. Louis County-Greeting:
We command you to summon William C Andersen
if he be found in your County, that
he be and 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 third Monday
of July [illegible] ,[illegible] then and there to answer unto Squire
Brown of a plea of trespass
to the damage of said plaintiff of five hundred
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 first day of
July in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty one John Ruland Clerk.*
> *Legal Function: Order*

State of Missouri
County of St. Louis
at Chambers
Be it remembered that the
within named Squire Brown is hereby allowed to sue as
a poor person, and John Davis & Benamin B Dayton are assigned as his Counsel, and it is hereby
ordered that said Brown have reasonable liberty to attend
[illegible]
his counsel & the court as occasion may require: that he
[illegible]
be not removed out of the jurisdiction of the Court in the
St. Louis Circuit Court , and that he be not
subjected to any severity on account of his application

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**Page 6** (6849_006.jpg)
for freedom. In testimony whereof witness my hand
this 28 June 1841.

*Bryan Mullanphy Judge of
the 8th Jud. Cir. of Mo.*
contd Bk 13 p 261 Dismissed (no body's costs) Bk 14 p 338. Squire says he
will pay the costs.
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No. 119[?]
St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1841
Squire Brown
vs
Summons
William C Anderson
Suit for freedom
Damages : [illegible] 500

*Dayton & Davis for plff
Filed 1st July 1841
John Ruland Clk [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ in the county of St. Louis on
the 3rd day of July 1841 by offering to read it and
the declaration to William C Anderson the defendant
all of which he refused to hear

*Marshall Brotherton Sheriff by Benjamin Lacy Dpt. Service $ 1.00*

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**Page 7** (6849_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Plea of Not Guilty*

Squire Brown a
man of color
vs
Wm C Anderson
In the St St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term A D 1841
and the said defendant by
his attorney [illegible] and signing
when says that he is not guilty of the said [illegible] supposed greivances aforesaid to his charge, or any, or either
of them, or any part thereof, in manner form [illegible] the
said plaintiff with alon thereof complained against
him. And of this the said defendant puts himself
upon the county

*[illegible] for [illegible]*

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**Page 8** (6849_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No. 119
St St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1841
Squire Brown a man
of colour
vs
Wm C Anderson
Plea not guilty

*M. Blair P.D.*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*

Filed July 20 1841

*Jn Ruland Clerk*

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**Page 9** (6849_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of William Moore, Patrick Quinn, Thomas Glenn, John Sternley, and William Wiggins*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To William Moore Patrick Quinn, Thomas Glenn John
Sterling William Wiggins
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 twenty first day of July instant
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 Squire Brown is
plaintiff and William C Anderson is
defendant on the part of the plaintiff
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 Sixteenth day of July in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two Jn. Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 10** (6849_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Circuit Court
Squire Brown
vs
Wm C Anderson
Sub for plff.

*William Moore
[illegible] Patrick Quinn
Thos Thos Glenn
John Sternley
William Wiggins*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

July 21st
Executed

*M.Brotherton
Shff
Fee \$1.37*

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**Page 11** (6849_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of Thomas Bamber*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To Thomas Bamber
Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all of manner excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on the thirty first inst
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 Squire Brown is
plaintiff and Wm C Anderson is
defendant on the part of the defendant
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 23rd day of October
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Jn. Ruland Clerk, C.C.
Can find him at
[illegible] of Wainright[?] &
Coots*

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**Page 12** (6849_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Squire Brown
vs
Wm C. Anderson
Wit for Deft

*Thomas Bamber*
for 31[?]. Ist[?]

*Executed
William Milburn Sheriff
fee \$0.50*

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**Page 13** (6849_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of William C. Anderson Jr.*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To Wm C Anderson Jr
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 Thirty [illegible] day of November
1843 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 Squire Brown
plaintiff and William C. Anderson Sen is
defendant on the part of the Defendant
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 30th day of October
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-three . Jn. Ruland Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 14** (6849_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Squire Brown
vs
Wm C. Anderson Sen
Subp[?]
wit.

*Wm C. Anderson Jr
To appear 1843
30 Nov.*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

This writ not exec in
consequence of the adjournment
of Courts

*William Milburn Shff
By Danl Murphy Dpty*

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**Page 15** (6849_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of Eli Anderson*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To Eli Anderson
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 Eleventh day of January instant
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 Squire Brown is
plaintiff and William C. Anderson is
defendant on the part of the defendant
and herein you are in no wise to fail.

*Witnes, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court, with
the seal thereof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this ninth day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-four
John Ruland Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 16** (6849_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed the 11th January
1844.

*Wm. Milburn Shff
By & Danl Murphy Fees $ 50 cents*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

In Circuit Court
Squire Brown
vs
Wm. C. Anderson
[illegible]
Subpoena

*Eli Anderson , near
the corner of Carr and main sts. for
Jany. 11. for
deft*

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**Page 17** (6849_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of J.J. Wolfok, Hiram Shaw, John Sternley, William Wiggins, Peter Wirt, William Denny, and Patrick Quinn*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To J. J. Wolfolk Shaw John Sternley , William
Wiggins. Peter Wirt. , Patick Quinn[?]
Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, that setting aide all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Cicuit Court , on the eleventh day of January instant
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 Squire Brown is
plaintiff and William C Anderson is
defendant on the part of the plaintiff
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 ninth day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-four
Jn. Ruland Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 18** (6849_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

St. Louis Circuit Court
Squire Brown
vs
William C Anderson
JJ Wolfolk[?]. Shaw
tobacconists

*John Sternley
William Wiggins
on Ferry
Peter Wirt. at St. Louis Brewery
William Denny at [illegible]
Auction Rooms
Patrick Quinn
for plff.
Jan. 11. 1844*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed the 11th January
1844 John Sternley not found

*Wm Milburn Shff
By E. W. Decker Dpty*
|   |   |
|---|---|
| fees | $ 3.00 |
| non est | .13 |
| | $ 3.13 |

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**Page 19** (6849_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of J. J. Wolfolk, Hiram Shaw, John Sternley, William Wiggins, Peter Wirt, William Denny, and Patrick Quinn*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To JJ Wolfock, Hiram[?] Shaw John Sternley William Wiggins. Peter Wirt. William Denny
Patrick Quinn
Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, that setting aide all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Cicuit Court , on the Sixteenth day of January
[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 Squire Brown is
plaintiff and William C Anderson is
defendant on the part of plaintiff
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 eleventh day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-four
John Ruland Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 20** (6849_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed the 11th January
1844 John Sternley Peter Wirt not found in my County

*Wm. Milburn Shff
By [illegible] Danl Murphy Dpty*
|   |   |
|---|---|
| fees | $ 2.50 |
| [illegible] | .25 |
| | $ 2.75 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Squire Brown
vs
William C Anderson
JJ Wolfock[?]

*Hiram Shaw
John Sternley
William Wiggins
Peter Wirt
William Denny
Patrick Quinn [illegible]
Jan 16*

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**Page 21** (6849_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of William C. Anderson Jr. amd Joseph H. Conn*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To William C Anderson Jr Joseph. C Conn
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 sixteenth day of January
instant at the City of St. Louis , then and there to
testtify, and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein Squire Brown is [illegible]
plaintiff and William C Anderson is
defendant on the part of the plaintiff
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 fifteenth day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-four
John Ruland Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 22** (6849_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed on J. H. Conn

*Wm Milburn Shff
by E. W. Decker*
|   |   |
|---|---|
| fees | $ .50 |
| [illegible] | .13 |
| | $ .63 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Squire Brown
vs
William C Anderson
Sub for deft
plff.

*Wm C Anderson Jr
Joseph C [illegible] Conn
Jan 16*

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**Page 23** (6849_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of Joseph H. Conn*

County of St. Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To Joseph H [illegible]
Greeting:
You are hereby commanded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , [illegible] forthwith
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 Squire Brown is [illegible]
plaintiff and Wm C Anderson is
defendant on the part of the
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 [illegible] day of Jan
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 24** (6849_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Exd the 16th January 1841

*Wm Milburn Shff
By E. W. Decker
fees 50 cents*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Brown
vs
Anderson
spa

*Joseph H.Conn House in [illegible]- sometimes
at Anderson & Morgans*

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

Squire Brown, a Man of Color V. William C. Anderson. 1841, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60891