Ann Maria, a person of color, v. James O. Fraser
Item
Ann Maria, a Person of Color, V. James O. Fraser. 1842, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60908
- Case Title
- Ann Maria, a person of color, v. James O. Fraser
- Series
- Freedom Suits
- Plaintiff
- Ann Maria
- Defendant
- Fraser, James O.
- Date Filed
- 1842-07-29
- Filing Date
- 1842-07-29
- Plaintiff’s Attorney
- Gamble, Hamilton Rowan
- Walker, John B.
- Defendant’s Attorney
- Polk, Trusten
- Court Name
- St. Louis Circuit Court
- Court Term
- 1842-07
- Clerk
- Ruland, John
- Cause of Action
- Trespass
- False Imprisonment
- Case Notes
- Damages $500.
- Disposition
- Judgment of Freedom, December 21, 1846
- Case Number
- 104
- Related Court Case Number
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- Related Project ID
- ccr1842.07146.010
- ccr1842.07144.002
- ccr1842.07143.002
- ccr1842.07142.002
- ccr1842.07141.002
- Identifier
- ccr1842.07145.002
- Source
- Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- PDF Download
- Download PDF of all images
- Transcription
-
**Ann Maria, a person of color, vs. James O. Fraser**
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**Page 1** (7145_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*
State of Missouri
County of St. Louis
ss
In the St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1842
Ann Maria , a person of color, by her attorneys and
by leave of the Court according to the statute in such
case provided, complains of James O . Fraser of
a plea of Trespass for false imprisonment For that whereas the said defendent
heretofore to, wit, on the first day of march in the year
eighteen hundred and forty two with free and
assures of the country afordance made an appraoch
on her the said plaintiff and then and there beat, bruised and ill treated her the said plaintiff and
then and there imprisoned her and kept and
detained her in prison from that time until
the present against the will of the said plain
tiff. and other wrongs to the said plaintiff
then and there did against the peace of the
state and contrary to law. And the said plain
tiff avers that before and at the time of the
community the grievances aforesaid
she was and still is a free person, and that the
said defendant held and still holds the said
plaintiff in slavery. Wherefore the said plaintiff
says that she has been injured and hath been
damaged in the sum of five hundred dollars
and therefore she brings her [illegible]
*Gamble & Walter
Attys for Pltff*
> *Legal Function: Defendant's Plea*
James O Fraser
vs
Ann Maria negress
ss
And now as this day comes
said defendant by his attorney
and defends the force & injury whenever and says
that he is not guilty of said supposed trespass
or any or within of them in manner & form [illegible]
plaintiff hath then of complained against him
as this [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] the country &c.
*J. [illegible] P. D.*
---
**Page 2** (7145_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint (cover)*
No 104 St St. Louis Circuit Court
July Term 1842
Ann Maria (a person of color)
vs
James O . Fraser
Declaration in Trespass for false imprisonment & suit for freedom Dams, & 500 filed by consent
Gamble & Walker
Attys for Pltff
Plea not guilty T . Polk D.
*Filed July 29 1842 [illegible] [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Note on Judgment*
Judgment of freedom December 21, 1846 17 p 441
Ann Maria, a Person of Color, V. James O. Fraser. 1842, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60908