Execution Book
An execution is a writ providing for the implementation of a judgment in the courts.
Example: John Doe received a judgment from the court that Amelia Green must pay him $800 from a debt along with court costs of $47.50. The writ of execution demands settlement and payment to John Doe from Amelia Green as verified and recorded by the sheriff.
The execution record books are handwritten bound books arranged in chronological order that record the costs and status of the execution (settlement) of a judgment in the court from a prior term. Information for each execution includes plaintiff, defendant, execution number, term of court, amount of judgment or costs, and notes about the entire, partial, or lack of settlement (in cash or attachment of property and other assets) as verified by the sheriff. Most times it will include the term and case number from the original case. Notes often indicate "nulla bona" meaning no assets to attach in settlement, "Satisfied" as recorded or "not found in county."
Only the pages related to the freedom suits of Dred and Harriet Scott from Execution Book Volume 7 are hosted digitally and transcribed on this site. The execution record book for the St. Louis Circuit Court are housed in the Missouri State Archives - St. Louis.
