Rachel Steele, a coloured woman v. Thomas Taylor

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Rachel Steele, a Coloured Woman V. Thomas Taylor. 1845, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60948

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Case Title: Rachel Steele, a coloured woman v. Thomas Taylor
Series: Freedom Suits
Plaintiff: Steele, Rachel
Defendant: Taylor, Thomas
Date Filed: 1845-03-15
Filing Date: 1845-03-15
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Field, Roswell M.
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1844-11
Judge: Krum, John M.
Clerk: Ruland, John
Sheriff: Milburn, William; Osburn, A. C.
Sworn Declarant: Grimes, Charlotte P.
Cause of Action: Trespass; False Imprisonment
Case Notes: Plaintiff may have hired herself out on steamboat \Uncle Toby.\""
Case Number: 187
Identifier: ccr1845.06819.008
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
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Transcription: **Rachel Steele, a coloured woman v. Thomas Taylor**

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**Page 1** (6819_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Petition for Leave to Sue as a Poor Person*

To the Circuit Court of Saint Louis County:-
The petition of Rachel Steel a coloured woman humbly
represents that in the year 1831 your petitioner was holden in
slavery by the late
Samuel Gilbert who then lived in the State
of Missouri : that the late Russel, Farnham[?] was then residing
at Kokuck, in the Territory, north of the State of Missouri
and north of of the line of 36 30[?] north latitude: that said
Samuel Gilbert while he was thus the owner of your petitioner hired out your petitioner to said Farnham[?] in or just before
the month of December 1831 to be taken to Kokuck
and then holden & employed by said Farnham[?] as a slave
that said Farnham[?] in the month of December 1831
took & removed your petitioner to said Kokuck and then held
and employed your petitioner as a slave for a period of nine
Months or therabouts[?] and until his decease: that by such
hiring and employment your petitioner became free as she is
advised: that Thomas Taylor married a grand daughter of said Gilbert and upon the decease of said Gilbert claimed to hold in
right of his said wife your petitioner as a slave under said Gilbert: That said Taylor does now in fact hold your petitioner
as a slave: and your petitioner prays that she may be
allowed to sue as a poor person for the recovery of her
freedom [illegible] & as is duty bound will ever pray [illegible] &c

*Rachel Steel X
her mark*
> *Legal Function: Jurat*

Personally appeared Rachel Steel & made oath to the truth
of the of the foregoing petition this 15th day of March A D 1845
before me at chambers

*John M. Krum[?]
Judge 8th Jud. Cir. Mo.[?]*
> *Legal Function: Affidavit*

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**Page 2** (6819_002.jpg)
We the undersigned have been acquainted with Rachel Steele
coloured woman for several years and during all that time she
has borne a good character for truth [illegible] & we believe that her
statements on [illegible] oath may safely be relied on March 22 1845
On reading the foregoing petition and hearing the accompanying
proof it is ordered that Rachel Steele the petitioner
have permission to sue as a poor person
that she have reasonable liberty to advise
with her Counsel &[?] that she be not removed from the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Circuit Court , R. M. Field is appointed Counsel prosecute
this petition

*St. Louis Mar 25. 1845 John M. Krum[?] Judge 8th Jud. Cir.[?]*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

no St. Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1844
The petition of
Rachel Steele (coloured)

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**Page 3** (6819_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit of Charlotte P. Grimes*

March the 23 1845
This is to certify that I have known the Bearer Rachel Steel
for thirteen years and known her to be an honest upright woman one that can
be trusted I am also well acquainted with her master & mistress Mr & Mrs
Taylor who haveing moeved up in the Country last year and left her here
with, the privelige of hireing herself either on a boat or in the City
if any further recommandation is needed you can apply to my Husband
Mr Wm Le Grimes of the Steam Boat Uncle Toby Charlotte P Grimes.

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**Page 4** (6819_004.jpg)

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**Page 5** (6819_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Complaint*

In Saint Louis Circuit Court , April Term, 1845
Saint Louis ,ss Rachel Steele coloured woman, who sues in
this behalf as a poor person, by R.M.Field counsel assigned
her by the court, complains of
Thomas Taylor in a plea of trespass
for that before and at time of the committing of the grievances herein
after mentioned by the defendant the complainant was and still is
a free person a that the defendant on the first day of January past
at Saint Louis did make an assault in upon the plaintiff then & there imprisoned & kept in prison & restrained of her freedom the
plaintiff for a long space of time to wit from there hitherto & then &
there held & still holds the plaintiff as a & other wrongs to
the plaintiff then & there did against the peace to the great
damage of the plaintiff for the recovery of her freedom the
plaintiff brings this suit &c.

*R.W. Field*

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**Page 6** (6819_006.jpg)
In Circuit Court April Term, 1845
Rachel Steele , coloured women,
in forma pauperis,
vs Thomas Taylor
Suit for freedom

*Let summons issue
R. M. Field*

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**Page 7** (6819_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons of Thomas Taylor*

County of St.Louis , ss. The State Of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St. Louis County Greeting:
We command you to summon Thomas Taylor, 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 Mon-
day of April instant [illegible] then and there to answer unto Rachel Steele ,
Coloured woman of a plea of trespass . to the great damage of said plaintiff
dollars And have you then there this writ

*Witness, John Ruland , Clerk of our said Court,
with the seal therof hereto affixed, at office, in the city of St. Louis , this third day of
April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty five . John Ruland Clerk.*
> *Legal Function: Acknowledgement*

I acknowlege 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 8** (6819_008.jpg)
dismissed March 11 1846 17 p 156
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No187
St Louis Cicuit Court[?]
April Term
1845
Rachel Steele ,
vs
Thomas Taylor
summons
Suit for freedom
R. M.Field

*Filed 31st March 1845
John Ruland [illegible] clk*
> *Legal Function: Order*

On reading the foregoing petition & hearing the
accompanying proofs, it is ordered that Rachal
Steele the petitioner have permision to sue
as a poor person, & that she has reasonable,
liberty to advise with her counsel & that she
be not removed from the jurisdiciton[?] of the
St Louis Circuit court R M Field is
appointed Counsel to prosecute this petition

*St. Louis
Mar 25 1845 John M Krum[?]M [illegible] 8 [illegible] A true copy of the order attest John Ruland Clk*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Thomas Taylorthe within named
defendant not found in my County
Non Est 50 cts

*William Milburn Shff[?] By A. C. Osburn Depy[?]*

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

Rachel Steele, a Coloured Woman V. Thomas Taylor. 1845, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60948