Mary Robinson, alias Robertson, a woman of colour v. Ringrose D. Watson

Item

Mary Robinson, Alias Robertson, a Woman of Colour V. Ringrose D. Watson. 1844, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60942

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Case Title: Mary Robinson, alias Robertson, a woman of colour v. Ringrose D. Watson
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Robinson, Mary (also Robertson)
Defendant: Watson, Ringrose D.; Carson, Amos L.
Date Filed: 1844-11-30
Filing Date: 1844-11-30
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Smith; Langton, Jeremiah
Defendant’s Attorney: Crockett
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1845-04
Judge: Krum, John M.
Clerk: Ruland, John
Justice of the Peace: Hurdy, James
Sheriff: Milburn, William; Osburn, N. C.
Sworn Declarant: Todd, Sarah Douglass; Green, John; DuBreuil, Louis; Watson, George F.
Cause of Action: Trespass; False Imprisonment; Assault; Battery
Case Notes: Plaintiff taken to Alton, Illinois, kept in slavery by Amos L. Corson; then sent to St. Louis where \kept in slavery\" by Ringrose D. Watson; began freedom suit but halted it because Watson said he did not own her; damages $500."
Case Number: 11
Identifier: ccr1845.06807.018
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **Mary Robinson, alias Robertson, a woman of colour v. Ringrose D. Watson**

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**Page 1** (6807_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Petition for Permission to Sue as a Free Person*

State of Missouri St Louis County
Mary Robinson maketh oath and[?] says the
foregoing petition is true- as
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2nd day
of December 1844

*Mary her X mark Robinson
[illegible] [illegible]*
State of Missouri
St Louis County ss
In the St St. Louis Circuit Court
April Term 1845
This petition of Mary Robinson Humbly showeth[?] that she your petitioner that she
is a woman of Colour and entitled to her Freedom
from the following facts- Viz. That in the Winter of
Eighteen hundred and forty one She your petitioner
was taken from the city of St Louis in said County
to the City of Alton in the state of Illnois[?] by her then Master and
owner and kept in slavery contrary to her your
petitioners will but by the will of her said owner Viz Amos L. Carson- in the state of Illinois
in the said City of Alton for the space of time at least six months contrary to law. After which period
of time the six months last aforesaid she your petitioner was sent by the said Carson to
the City of Saint Louis and was kept in slavery
by one Ringrose D Watson for a long space
of time after which time a suit for her freedom
was commenced in this Court and was terminated by a nonsuit
in consequence of the said Ringrose D. Watson
Declaiming any ownership over your petitioner but last night the said Watson in company with
a person calling himself an officer called at
the residence of your petitioner and demanded her your petitioner
and and took her to the Jail of said county where she is now as a slave and your petitioner has good reason to believe and
does believe she will be taken Beyond the jurisdiction
of this Court and kept in slavery the said & Carson are restrained by this Court from [illegible]
with her she therefore prays to be permitted to sue
as a free person - and that place under the protection of this Court and as in duly because she will ever pray

*Mary Robinsonx her mark*
St Louis County
Mary Robinson the above named petitioner marketh and saith[?] that the above petition is true in every particular
Sworn and subscribed to before me this - 30th Nov 1844 James Hurdy a justice[?] of the St Louis Courts

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**Page 2** (6807_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

In the St St. Louis Circuit Court April Term 1845
Mary Robinson vs R D Watson & Carson
trespass & false impr[?]

*Smith & Langton
for plaintiff*
> *Legal Function: Order*

In the St St. Louis Circuit Court
St Louis County
State of Missouri
This ordered by Judge of said Court that the petition be allowed to
to establish her right to freedom and it is further ordered
that Smith and Langton Esquire be and they are hereby assigned
as her counsel and it is further ordered that she the
said petitioner have reasonable liberty to attend her said counsel and the Court as may require that she be not removed from the jurisdiction of said Court and that she be not subject to any severity on account of her application for Freedom
Dec. 2 1844

*John M Krum[?] Judge 8. Judge Cir Mo[?]*

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**Page 3** (6807_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*

State of Missouri ss
St Louis County
In the St St. Louis Circuit Court April Term 1845
Mary Robinson a woman of colour by her attorneys Smith & Langton Complains of Ringrose D. Watson and Amos L. Carson of a plea of Trespass for false imprisonment For that heretofore to wit on
the twenty fourth day of July in the year of our
Lord One thousand Eight hundred and forty one
at the County aforesaid The said defendants
with forceand arms an assault made on the said
plaintiff and then and there beat bruised and ill-
treated her the said plaintiff and then and
there unlawfully imprisoned her the said plaintiff
and there hath kept and retained her in prison from
the day last aforesaid for the span of twelve hours thereafter Contrary to the form of the statues in such case made and provided and against the
peace and dignity of the state And the said
plaintiff avers that before and at the time of
the committing the said several grievances she the said
plaintiff was and still is a free person
and that the Defendants hold and still holds
the said plaintiff in slavery Therefore the said plaintiff says she is injured and has
sustained damages to the amount of five hundred dollars and therefore she sues
&c

*Smith & Langton
for plaintiff*

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**Page 4** (6807_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Mary Robinson
vs
Ringrose D. Watson & Amos L . Carson
Trespass & false imprisonment. Dam $ 500. 00
Smith & Langton p.q.
Petn[?] filed & order [illegible] read

*Dec 2nd 1844.*

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**Page 5** (6807_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons of Ringrose D. Watson and Amos L. Carson*

County of St. Louis , ss.
The State of Missouri ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis County--Greeting:
We command you to Summon Ringrose D Watson
and Amos L Carson if they be found in
your County that they 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 Mou-
day of April next, then and there to answer unto Mary Robinson of a plea of trepass and
false imprisonment to the damage of said plaintiff 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 Second day of
December in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty four. John Ruland Clerk.*
> *Legal Function: Acknowledgement*

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

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**Page 6** (6807_006.jpg)
petition filed [illegible] order made 15p 354. plea by deft Watson filed 16p165
add plea filed by leave [illegible] of court 16p 282 Dismissed March 20 1846 36 12 pqof [illegible]
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 11
St St. Louis Circuit Court
April Term 1845
Mary Robinson
vs summons
Ringrose D Watson &
Amos L. Carson
Trespass & false imprisonment
Damages \$500
Smith Langton atty

*Filed December 2nd 1844
John Ruland clk*
> *Legal Function: Order*

It is ordered that the petitioner be
allowed to sue as a poor person to establish
her right to freedom and it
is further ordered that Smith Langton Esquire be and they are hereby assigned
as her Counsel and it is further
ordered that she the said petitioner
have reasonable liberty to attend
her said Counsel and the Court as
occasion may require that she be
not removed from the jurisdiction of
said Court and that she be not subject
to any severity on account of her
application for freedom
[illegible]
free (155)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ in the County
of St Louis on the 3rd day December 1844 by
offering to read it, the petition and the
declaration to Ringrose D Watson one
of the defendants which he refused to hear
Also by reading to the said Ringrose D Watson
the order of the Judge endorsed upon this
writ- Amos L Carson , the other defendant
not found in my County

*William Milburn Shff[?]
By N. C Osburn Depty[?]
Fees \$2.50*

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**Page 7** (6807_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Defendant Ringrose D. Watson' Plea*

No. 11 Mary Robertson
vs
R. D. Watson [illegible]
with Carson
In the St. Louis Circuit Court
April Term 1845
And the defendant Watson by his attorneys,
comes and defends, the force and injury when
&c and for plea says that he is not guilty The said supposed trespass herein laid to his charge by the plaintiff and further says that
it is not true as stated by plaintiff, that she
is now or ever has been a free person
and of this he puts himself upon the County

*[illegible]
Crockett & for Defn[?]*

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**Page 8** (6807_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 11
In St. Louis Circuit Court
Mary Robertson
vs
R. D. Watson impleaded &c with Carson -[?].
Not guilty for W.

*filed 28 April 1845
Jno Ruland Clerk*

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**Page 9** (6807_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 11
In St. Louis Circuit Court
Mary Robertson of Color
vs
Ringrose D Watson impleaded with Carson[?]
Additional plea

*Filed June 7th 1845
John Ruland Clerk*

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**Page 10** (6807_010.jpg)

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**Page 11** (6807_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Defendant Ringrose D. Watson's Additional Plea*

Mary Robertson
vs
Ringrose D Watson
impleaded with Carson
In the St St. Louis Circuit Court
April Term 1845
And for this & further plea in this behalf by leave of Court [illegible] the said defendant Watson
defending the force and injury when &c &c, and says
acts [illegible] because he says that at the November Term
1841 of the Circuit Court of St Louis County aforesaid
the said plaintiff Mary Robertson impleaded[?] the
said defendant Watson in and by her certain
action and plea of Trespass and false imprisonment
for the establishment of her freedom and for and on
account of the very same trespasses & grievances, matters and things now here alledged by plff against
him the said defendant Watson :.
And at said Term of said to Court the said defendant
Watson pleaded that he was not guilty of
of the supposed Trepass then by said plff in said suit
charged against defendant Watson - also 2dly[?] that
at the institution of her said suit, “the plaintiff was
and still is a slave”- and 3dly[?] that at the time
of the institution of her said suit, “the plff has and
still is a slave, the property of Amos L Carson” &[?]
And afterward to wit at the same Term aforesaid
of said Circuit Court issues were taken and
[illegible] upon said pleas.
And at the Term of said Court held November 1844
to wit on 27th day of November 1844, the said Cause
came on for trial (and the pleas and casues aforesaid)
and was then and there tried by a jury of the
Country, who then and there found each and all of
said issues and causes thereon for him the said defendant Watson - Whereupon, in the day and term last mentioned, and in conformity with said verdict

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**Page 12** (6807_012.jpg)
[illegible]-[illegible], in the day and term
last [illegible] and in [illegible] with said
it was considered by said St St. Louis Circuit Court
that said plaintiff should take witness &c when
said suit but that defendant shewed so thereof
without dely &[?]
As In the Record and proceedings thereof as they
remain in the said Court more fully appears: which
said verdict and judgt[?] remain in full force & virture[?]
not in any wise set aside, reversed, or vacuted or annulled[?]
And these defendant Watson is [illegible] to verify by
by said Record:
Wherefore he prays judgt of the[?] said plff ought have or maintain her aforesaid action thereof
against him the said defendant

*Crockett &
Attys for Deft Watson*

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**Page 13** (6807_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena for Sarah Douglass Todd, John Green, and Louis DuBreuil*

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,
To Sarah Douglass Todd
John Green
Louis . DuBreuil
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 Eighteenth 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 Robinson is plaintiff and Watson & of [illegible] is defendant- on the part of
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 16th day of February
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-six.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 14** (6807_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Circuit Court
Mary Robinson
vs
Watson &
suit for Freedom [illegible]

*X Sarah Douglass Todd = Green X Louis DuBreuil 18th July 1846
X R P. Todd Smith Executed Wm Milburn Sheriff[?]
fee 1.00 &[?]*

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**Page 15** (6807_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena of George F. Watson*

County Of St. Louis , Ss.
The State Of Missouri ,
To George F. Watson
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 20th 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 Robinson is
plaintiff and R D Watson & Carson are
defendants on the part of Defdts[?] 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 19 day of February
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-six.
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 16** (6807_016.jpg)
Mary Robinson
vs
R. D Watson
subp[?] for
X George F. Watson
at Walch's Union Mill[?]
for 20th

*Executed Wm Milburn Shrff fee[?] 50 ct*

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**Page 17** (6807_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Attachment of Sarah Douglass Todd and Louis DuBreuil*

County Of St. Louis , Sct.
State of Missouri ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis County-Greeting:
We command you to attach Sarah Douglass Todd & Louis DuBreuil by their bodies and them safely keep, so that you have their bodis before
the Judge of our Circuit Court , now in session at the City of St. Louis , within and for the
County of St. Louis , on the forthwith 184[?] then
and there to testify, and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in
our said Circuit Court , between Mary Robinson is
plaintiff, and Carson & Watson are defendants, wherein
the said Todd & DuBreuil have heretofore been summoned
on the part of the said plaintiff

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Circuit
Court , at the City of St. Louis , this 2nd day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty-six
John Ruland Clerk, C. C.*

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**Page 18** (6807_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Circuit Court
Mary Robinson
vs
Carson & Watson
attachment
for
Sarah Douglass Todd X & Louis DuBreuil
for plff
[illegible]

*Executed and had L. Dubreuil in assin Court Wm Milburn Shrff fee[?] \$1.50.
Mrs Todd sick in in
[illegible]*

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