Mary Ann Speaks v. James Luisenburry and John Jameson
Item
Mary Ann Speaks V. James Luisenburry and John Jameson. 1844, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60924
- Case Title
- Mary Ann Speaks v. James Luisenburry and John Jameson
- Series
- Freedom Suits
- Plaintiff
- Speaks, Mary Ann
- Defendant
- Quisenberry, James
- Jameson, John
- Date Filed
- 1844-10-21
- Filing Date
- 1844-10-21
- Plaintiff’s Attorney
- Taylor, George R.
- Primm, Wilson
- Defendant’s Attorney
- Lackland, B. E.
- Court Name
- St. Louis Circuit Court|County of Alexandria
- Court Term
- 1844-04
- Judge
- Krum, John M.
- Clerk
- Ruland, John
- Jseue, Frt Edm
- Justice of the Peace
- Scott, Charles
- Sheriff
- Milburn, William
- Harry, James L.
- Sworn Declarant
- Blunt, James
- Cause of Action
- Trespass
- False Imprisonment
- Assault
- Battery
- Case Notes
- Damages $1,000; defendant Quissenbury was administrator of estate of Susan Blunt; plaintiff was indentured to Blunt for 10 years in Alexandria, D. C.
- Case Number
- 213
- Identifier
- ccr1844.06804.026
- Source
- Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- PDF Download
- Download PDF of all images
- Transcription
-
**Mary Ann Speaks vs. James Luisenburry and John Jameson**
---
**Page 1** (6804_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County of St Louis , Ss. The State Of Missouri , To John Blossum[?] and Nathaniel Janney[?]
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 morning of the 28th: [illegible] at
the hour of nine o'clock with at theCity of St. Louis , office of Prinum and Salor Cohen[?] of Peried Main St,[?] then and there to
testify, and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said Court,
wherein Mary Ann Speaks is
plaintiff and John M. Jameson and James Luis
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 27th day of Seb[?]
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-four
John M Ruland Clerk C. C.*
---
**Page 2** (6804_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this writ in the county of St Louis
on the 28th day of September 1844 by reading
into John Blossom one of the within na=
med witness. N. E. [illegible] not summo=[?]
-ned by order of R. Taylor att[?].
*Service \$0.50[?] William Milburn Shrff[?]
By eld Derker Depty[?] .*
> *Legal Function: Caption*
Cir[?]: Court .
April Term 1844
In the matter of
Mary Ann Speaks v.
John M . Jameson L James Luis Jenkin[?]
Witness for 28th;
writ: at 9 o'clock in
the morning-
John Blosson[?] on
5th: nead Carr's duty N.E.[?]-
at office of Purvis & Talor.[?].
---
**Page 3** (6804_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition*
To the Honorable John M . Krum[?], Judge of
the St Louis Cicuit Court , within and for
the County of Saint Louis .
The undersigned petitioner, respectfully
represents to your Honor, that she is now held
in close confinement in the common Prison of
the County aforesaid and claimed as the prop=
erty of one James Louis Jeubery[?], administrator
of the estate of Susan Blunt, deed, and held
in [illegible] by the said [illegible] as ad-
ministrator aforesaid_ that she is entitled to
her freedom and is of right sue under the cause
of the Land and [illegible] petitioner your Honor
for permission to sue for her freedom as a poor
person, under the statute in such case made and provided.
And the undersigned here states to your
honor the facts and circumstances on which
she so claims her right to freedom, which if
she is permitted to prove; sufficient evidence
can he forthcoming when and where your honor shall direct to such the same_ that
your petitioner is about twenty-four years of
age, born in the City and County of Alex= andria[?] in the District of Columbia ; that
her mother at the time of her wish, and
for a long period before, was and still
is free; that some eight years since her
mother found her by indenture in miting[?]
in the said County of Alexandria for the
period of ten years, to one Susan Blunt , to
he by her the said Susan instructed in
the ash and [illegible] of a good house wife;
that after she was so bound as aforesaid,
and after the said Susan had enjoyed
the Labour and service of your petitioner for
the period of two years, she the said Susan
> *Legal Function: Petition, part 2*
---
**Page 4** (6804_004.jpg)
[illegible]
---
**Page 5** (6804_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition, part 3*
That the said Luis Jeusburry since he[?] has [illegible]
of your petitioner intention to claim her freedom,
has and unnecessary restraint and harrass[?]
toward her, and has caused her to be kept in
one confinement in the prison as aforesaid;
and that your honor witness [illegible]
it she will be in danger of losing forever
her freedom; in news of the foregoing, she
now, that your honor will allow her to
sue as a poor person for her freedom; that
she may have counsel appointed by your honor
to conduct her said suit; and that the said
James Luisenburry may be required to Enter into and [illegible], that your petitioner
shall not be removed without the jurisdic=tion of your honorable[?] Court; or in default
therein the Sheriff of the County aforesaid, shall
be induced to [illegible] in confinement on hide her under the statue in such case made and provided; and such other relief as to your honor shall much
and purpose; all of which is respectfully submitted.
*Mary Ann + her mark Speaks*
> *Legal Function: Notarization*
Sworn to & Subscribed before me
this 21st day of October 1844
before me
*John Ruland Clerk by by*
> *Legal Function: Order*
On reading &[?] the fore-
=going Petition introduced that the said
Petitioner Mary Ann Speaks be allowed
to sue as a poor person in Establishing
her right to freedom- that [illegible]
---
**Page 6** (6804_006.jpg)
& George R Taylor be assigned
as Counsel for said Petitioner & this
further ordered that the said Petitioner
has reasonable liberty be allowed her Counsel & the Court as occurence[?]
may require that she be not
removed out of the jurisdiction
of the said Court nor subject to any severity on account of her application for freedom_
*John M. Krum[?] Judge Mi Cir Mo[?]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*
To the Honorable John
M. Krum ,[?] Judge of the
St St. Louis Circuit Court
Petition of Mary Ann
Speaks, for permission
to sue as a poor person for her freedom.
---
**Page 7** (6804_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*
In the Saint Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1844
Saint Louis County, to wit,
Mary Ann Speaks plain-
tiff, with leave of the Court for that purpose, first
had and obtained, by her attorney complained
of James Luisenburry and John Jameson
defendants, of a plea of trespass, for false im=prisonment.[?] that the said defendants, on
the fifteenth day of October A. D. Eighteen hun-
dred and forty four, at the County of St. Louis ,
with force and assaulted said plain-
tiff, and her then and there took and im=prisoned[?], and restrained her of her liberty, and
confined her in common prison for the
County aforesaid, and held her in servitude now first day of August in the year afore-
said, until the day and year first aforesaid,
and yet detains and imprisons her the said
plaintiff, and still defnies[?] her of her liberty
and freedom as aforesaid, against the law
of the land, and against the will of the
plaintiff, and other injuries the said defen-
dants, then and there at the times aforesaid,
did to the said plaintiff, contrary to the
law of the land, and the peace and [illegible]
of the said plaintiff, and to the damage
of the plaintiff of one thousand dollars, and
therefore she sues
*Primus & Taylor for pltff*
---
**Page 8** (6804_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*
Mary Ann Speaks
v.
James Luiseuburry &[?] John Jameson .
Trespass for false im=prisonment.[?]
*Primums &[?] Taylor
for pltff.*
---
**Page 9** (6804_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County of St. Louis , Ss, The State Of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St. Louis County-Greeting:
We command you to James Luisenburry and
John Jameson that they be & 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. Louis, on the third Mon-
day of November next, then and there to answer unto Mary Ann
Speaks of her petition for freedom
to the damage of said plaintiff One thousand
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 twenty first day of
October in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty four John Ruland Clerk.*
> *Legal Function: Complaint Part 2*
I acknowledge myself bound for all costs that may accrue in the above cause.
*Witness my hand and seal, at St. Louis , this day of 184*
---
**Page 10** (6804_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
[illegible]
plea filed Nov 28th 1844 17 p84. for Defn March 20 1846 17 p129.[?]
[illegible]
> *Legal Function: Caption*
No 213 St. Louis Circuit Court
November term 1844
Mary Ann Speaks vs summons
James Luisenbury[?] and John Jameson
Trespass & false imprisonment
Damages of \$1000.
Filed October 21st 1844
*& Taylor p.q
John [illegible] Clerk*
> *Legal Function: Order*
It is ordered that the petitioner
have leave to sue as a poor person
& assign her as her counsel Porimm & Taylor[?], and that she have reason
=able liberty to attend her counsel
& the court as occasion may require,
& that she be not subjected to any
severity on a account of her applica-
=tion for freedom
A true copy attesh[?]
*John Ruland Clerk(136)*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this writ in the county of Saint Louis this 21 day october 1844 by reading it
and the put petitioner- order of the
judge of that court and declaration to John Jame son and James Louisbury[?] within
named and also by reading the orders of the Judge
endorsed upon this writ Mathew William
*Service \$2.00[?] Sheriff*
---
**Page 11** (6804_011.jpg)
Saint Louis Circuit Court
November term. A D 1844
Mary Ann Speaks
aka
James Luisenberry &
John Jameson
And the said defendants by their attorney
come and defend the foree and injury whereas
and say that they are not; nor is either of them guilty of the Said
supposed trespasses above said to their charge ar or any or either of them
as any part thereof in manner and form as the said plaintiff hath
complines aganist them, and of this the Said defendants put
themselves upon the country
*B E Lackland for Defendant*
---
**Page 12** (6804_012.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
St St. Louis Circuit Court Nov term 1844
Mary Ann Speaks ab James
Luisenberry &[?] John Jance-
Son
Plea-Not Guilty
*Filed Nov 23 1844
John Ruland Clerk*
---
**Page 13** (6804_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County Of St. Louis , Ss. The State Of Missouri , To Henry Duncan, and
Catherine Duncan, and Sugar Duncan, Robert Robert Davidson
John Sherry
Greeting:
You are hereby commnaded, that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay, you appear
before the Judge of our Circuit Court , on thefifth sixth day of
February 1846 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 Mary Ann Speaks
plaintiff and Luiseuberry & Jameson[?]
defendant s 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 first day of february
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundered and
forty -six [illegible] John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 14** (6804_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Circuit Court Nov: Term 1845.
Mary Ann Speaks
v. C Luiseuburry[?]
Witness for plaintiff
for sixth
*Mr.X R. Sherry = on Morgan st=
X William Doug X Carpenter .
X John Kean X = X Davidson
These two witnesses are
Carpenters or Stine may our
and live on 11th:sh uf lowv[?] Executed Wm Milburn Shff fee $[?]2.00*
---
**Page 15** (6804_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Speaks v Luissenburry[?]
agreement
*filed Feby[?] 9. 1846
Jno Ruland Clk*
---
**Page 16** (6804_016.jpg)
---
**Page 17** (6804_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*
District of County of Alexander Ss
On this 19th day of April 1838 George White personally appears before me a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid and made other that or about March 1834. Joseph B. Blunt the husband of Susan Blount. purchased a Colored Girl by the name of Mary Ann Speaks about Tweleve year old from one Mary Truly then a Slave, between to be Serve the Said Blount sentence the was Twenty eight years of age and then to be free. out the declaration of Said Term and on the[?] first day of December 1834. Joseph B Blount Sold the Said Mary Jone James Norris of for the Term of Three years[?]. which Said, three years defines the first day
of may 1838 at which time the Said May fifteen years old that she is to Serve the said Susan Blont agreeable to the Court and then three years from the[?] first day
of May 1838 until She is Twenty eight years old and no longer at what time She is free, Given my hand and this 19 day of April 1838.
*Charles Scott The above negro girl is known by the name of Mary Speaks*
---
**Page 18** (6804_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*
I the named Susan Blunt do hereby certify that the facts as set forth in the written affidavit of George White are true
and that she both reason to believe that
the bite of sale summons Yurly[?] to husband B. Blunt has been or , by which said Bill of sale to the said Negro slaves for freedom was deserved to her she
to age of twenty eight years - witness to my this 23rd of april 1838
*witness-
James him x mark Blunt [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*
2nd day
Susan Blunt +
to
Negro Mary Speaks [illegible] [illegible]
May term 1838
*Recorded K pays
519 &[?]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
At an United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia continued and held for the County of the 8th day of May 1838_ This affdavit of George White & certificate in relation to the freedom of[?] of Negro Mary Speaks was presented to the Court, & an motion-- Speaks was presented to the Court, & motion-- ordered to freedom.
*Frt Edm:Jseue[?]*
---
**Page 19** (6804_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Declaration*
Mary Ann Speaks
v.
James Luiseuberry[?]
Circuit Court . Nov: term 1845
This is a suit by the
plaintiff under the statue for freedom, and
the fact in the case agreed to be submitted
in the same are as [illegible]:=
That the plaintiff was born in the State of Virginia Alexandra,
in the of Columbia, and was living
in Alexandria there for a number of years before she was brought to Missouri that plaintiff mother
at the time of her birth was a slave and
the trespass of me the rights summons - ; that plaintiff
was brought to Missouri & afterwards and examined in her service of to the time of her death which took place some two years snce[?] thatplaintiff is claimed that the time which said plantiff[?] is [illegible] [illegible] the property of defendant by as virtue of the writing in affidavit herewith filed, which is agreed to be legal evidence
of defendant title and is to evidence
as the fact in this case_ that said writing was excuted in Alexandria aforesaid
and the planitiff held and as is before
she not to this .=[?]
now the parties agree that this case shall be submitted to the Court
and the law on the declared to for plaintiff in defen[?]-
dant.[?]
*Primum & Taylor[?] att for pltff.[?] B E of R Lackland for for defendant*
---
**Page 20** (6804_020.jpg)
---
**Page 21** (6804_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County Of St. Louis , Ss. The State Of Missouri , To James Luisiuberry[?]
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 sixth instant and bring with you
an indenture of apprenticeship Tetuna[?] 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 Mary Ann Speaks
plaintiff and Luiseuburry[?]
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 therof hereto affixed, at office, in the City of St .
Louis , this 18th: day of Febuary[?]
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty fsix.[?] Mary Ann Speaks and Ann Buts John Ruland Clerk, C. C. afore where state you have admitted and all other writing
touching your clauses of said Speaks as the property of said indenture John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 22** (6804_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this writ in the County
of St. Louis on the 4th febraury 1846
by sending with James S . Luisenburry
the within named writings
*Fee $ 050 William Milburn Sheriff[?]
By James L Harris*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Circuit Court
Nov: Term 1845
Mary Ann Speaks.
v.
James Luispeuburry[?]
Witness for pltff for sixth indant[?]
with clause of duces tecum![?]
*James Luiseuburry[?] Executed Wm Milburn Sheff fee 50 ct[?]*
---
**Page 23** (6804_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County Of St. Louis , Ss. The State Of Missouri , To Wm: L. Sherry, X, William Lariq X[?] John Kean and X Davidson X 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 sixth day of february
1846 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 Mary Ann Speaks
plaintiff and Luispeuburry & Jamieson[?]
defendants 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 first day of february
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty fsix[?] John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 24** (6804_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificte of Execution*
Circuit Court
Nov: Term 1845
Mary Ann Speaks
v. Luiseuburry[?]
Witness for plaintiff
for sixth [illegible]
*X Henry Duncan
X Camermie[?] Duncan & = Susan Duncan.
all live in County.
Executed Wm Mathew Shrff fee 1.10*
---
**Page 25** (6804_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*
County Of St. Louis , Ss. The State Of Missouri , To James Johnston and James S Luisenburry 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 Sixth day february
1846 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 Mary Speaks
palintiff and Luisenburry admon H[?] is
defendant on the part of 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 4th day of february
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*
---
**Page 26** (6804_026.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
St. Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1845
Mary Speaks
v. Luisenburry Admr of Blunt
[illegible] for 6 Febry[?] 1846
*X James Johnston
X Jas S Luisenburry Executed Wm Willams Shrff fee $[?] 1.00*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this writ within County
of St. Louis [illegible] the 5 February 1846
by Reading it to Jonus Johnston[?] & J S Luisenburry
*Fees $ 1.00 William Milburn Shf[?]
By James L Harris Depty*
Mary Ann Speaks V. James Luisenburry and John Jameson. 1844, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60924