Matilda Thomas v. William Littleton
Item
Matilda Thomas V. William Littleton. 1818, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60954
- Case Title
- Matilda Thomas v. William Littleton
- Series
- Freedom Suits
- Plaintiff
- Thomas, Matilda
- Defendant
- Littleton, William
- Date Filed
- 1818-03-05
- Filing Date
- 1818-03-05
- Plaintiff’s Attorney
- Geyer, Henry S.
- Defendant’s Attorney
- Taylor, Primm L.
- Court Name
- St. Louis County Court
- Court Term
- 1818-08
- Clerk
- Ruland, John
- Justice of the Peace
- Danue, J.G.
- Cause of Action
- Trespass
- False Imprisonment
- Case Notes
- Plaintiff also known as Matilda Cunningham; damages sought $1,000; plaintiff detained for one year.
- Case Number
- 28
- Identifier
- ccr1846.06823.010
- Source
- Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- PDF Download
- Download PDF of all images
- Transcription
-
**Matilda Thomas v. William Littleton**
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**Page 1** (6823_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Complaint*
State of Missouri County of Saint Louis Circuit Court St Louis County
November term 1846
Matilda Thomas otherwise called Matilda Cunningham her of William Littleton in custody of a [illegible] of a false for that this to the said defendant found on the 8th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six at the County area circuit and within the jurisdiction of ,this court with when the body of the
said plaintiff did then them
wound ill that aid them prison of [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] of her liberty for a long space of time to for. The of the will of
the plaintiff, need the said defendant the said plaintiff
to the great said plaintiff one thousand dollars and
And also after on [illegible] the
same day in the county circuit the said defendant with [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
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**Page 2** (6823_002.jpg)
took the said plaintiff and ,imprisoned her and kept and detained her in prison ,for a long of [illegible] of time for the of one year against the will of the said plaintiff. And the said defendant the said plaintiff money of said a [illegible] to [illegible] for the said plaintiff for a long share of time for the months following the
will of the said plaintiff to said plaintiff one thousand dollars and
*[illegible] Attorney for plff*
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**Page 3** (6823_004.jpg)
Nov. Term 1846
Matilda Thomas
vs
William Littleton
Trespass & False
Imprisonment
*D.N.Moll
Atty for Plff.*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
filed 8th June 1846
*John Ruland clerk*
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**Page 4** (6823_005.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 summon William Littleton if he be found
in your Country, 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 November. next, then and there to answer unto Matilda Thomas,
otherwise called Matilda Cunningham, of a plea of trespass assault and battery and false imprisonment.
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 eighth day of
June in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and forty-six . 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 5** (6823_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*
filed 352 Nov. 28 1846
[illegible] called
[illegible]
vs
[illegible]
No 28 St St. Louis Circuit Court
November Term 1846
Matilda Thomas , otherwise called Matilda Cunningham vs William Littleton Trespass and false imprisonment Damages\$1000.00
*DW[?]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
Filed 8th June 1846
*John Ruland clk (245)[?]
1.00[?]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*
Executed this [illegible] in the
County of S Louis on the 9th day of June
1846 by offering to read it and the
to William Littleton the
defendant which he refused to hear. \$1.00 William Milburn[?]
*[illegible] by N.[illegible] Service \$1.00*
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**Page 6** (6823_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion to Dismiss*
Matilda Thomas alias vs.
vs
William Littleton
[illegible] Cir . Court
Nov Term 1846
and now comes the defen-
dant and moves the Court to dismiss this suit
for the reason, that the said plaintiff is a
person of colour and the slave and property
of this defendant, suing for her freedom
and has not filed security for the costs as
the law of the land in such case made
and provided, requires.
and because the statute in such cases
made and provided has not been complied
with by the said plaintiff before the institution
of this suit [illegible]
*Primm & Taylor for defendant*
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**Page 7** (6823_008.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
No 28 Cir : Court
Nov Term 1846
Matilda Thomas alias
vs
William Littleton
Motion to dismiss suit
for reasons within.
*filed 18 nov 1846
[illegible] Ruland Clk [illegible] & Taylor [illegible]*
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**Page 8** (6823_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Answer*
Matilda Thomas alias
vs
William Littleton
Circuit Court November Term 1846
And now comes the said defen[?]dant by his attorney, and defends the force and
injury and says he is not guilty of the
said suffered trespassing in manner and form
as the said plaintiff hath thereof above alleged and of this he puts himself upon the County.
*Taylor for defendant.*
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**Page 9** (6823_010.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Filing*
No28 Circuit Court
Nov Term 1846
Matilda Thomas alias
vs
William Littleton
Plea Not Guilty
*filed 18 nov 1846 Jn Ruland[?] clk L Taylor for Deft.*
Matilda Thomas V. William Littleton. 1818, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 9, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60954