The petition of JudyJudy a woman of color respectfully
represents that she was born in the state of VirginiaVirginia
about the year seventeen hundred and eighty six and
when about ten or eleven years old was brought to Louis
-ville KentuckyKentucky and sold to a certain WilliamWilliam SullivanSullivan
who kept her for a short time as a slave and then
sold her to a certain Robert BuntonRobert Bunton a resident of
the town of VincennesVincennessupplied> in the north - western Territory.
That the said BuntonBunton took your petitioner to the town
of VincennesVincennes in the territory aforesaid about the
year seventeen hundred and ninety eight in which
place she was owned and continued to he held as a
slave by the said BuntonBunton for the space of two years
or upwards. That after your petitioner had been
held and treated as a slave in the town of
and Territory aforesaid for the length of
time set forth above she was sent to Kaskas-
kia in the said Territory and some short time
afterwards sold to a certain WilliamWilliam LecompteLecompte
of the town of Saint LouisSt Louis in the province of upper
LouisianaLouisiana where she has remained in slavery ever
since. Your petitioner further represents that she is

now illegally held in slavery by a certain BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum , a free man of color
of saint Louis contrary to the provisions of an ordiance
passed by the congress of the UnitedUnited States StatesUnited States on the 13th day of July 1787. Your petitioner therefore prays that she
may be permitted to sue as a poor person in or-
der to establish her right to freedom, that counsel
be assigned her for that purpose and finally
that your Honor may grant the usual orders in
such cases and as in duty bound will ever pray
& C

This day JudyJudy a woman of color appeared be-
fore the and a justice of the peace in and for the county
aforesaid and made oath that the matters and things in the
foregoing petition are true as form as they depend upon
her own knowledge and those coming from the information
of others she believed to be true.

1st It is hereby ordered that JudyJudy
a woman of color be permitted to sue as a poor person for
the recovery of her freedom and that J.W. Risque be assigned
her as counsel for that purpose.

2d. That the said JudyJudy have reasonable liberty to attend
her counsel and the court as occasion may require
that she be not removed out of the juridiction
of the court, and that she be not subject to
any security on account of her application for
freedom.

JudyJudy
vs
MeachumMeachum

Petition to sue in
forman

Saint LouisSt Louis County to wit

JudyJudy a woman of color by F W Pisque
her attorney complains of BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum
of a plea of trespass for false imprison-
ment: For that whereas the said MeachumMeachum
heretofore to wit on the 2nd day of January 1837 at the county aforesaid with force and
arms made an assault upon the said
JudyJudy to wit, at & and then and there
beat bruised and ill treated her the said Ju-
dy and then and there imprisoned her and
kept and detained her in prison there without
any probable or resonable cause what-
soever for a long space of time to wit
for the space of then next following
contrary to the act of the
in such case made and provided and against
the consent of the said JudyJudy
And the said JudyJudy that before and
at the time of the committing of the said
she was and still is
a free person and that the said MeachumMeachum

held and still holds her in slavery to the
damage of the said plaintiff $ 300, and
therefore she brings suit &

JudyJudy
vs
MeachumMeachum

Declaration

This is an action for
false imprisonment
in form a
for the recovery of
freedom. Damage
$ 300. The clerk will
issue a summons.

This day FrancisFrancis Creli personally
appeared before the undersigned a justice of
the peace for the county aforesaid and made
oath that he was born in the town of VincennesVincennes
in the north - western Territory and was well
acquainted with a MrRobertRobert who lived
in the same place and who owned two female
slaves both named JudyJudy the one called old
JudyJudy being the mother of a family and the other
called little JudyJudy . That he is under the impression that little JudyJudy was brought from the state of KentuckyKentucky
some where between the year 1800 &
1806 and remained at VincennesVincennes in the employment
and as the slave of the said BuntonBunton for
one or two years, probably until the year 1806
when the owners of slaves becoming alarmed at
the prospect of loosing their slaves where IndianaIndiana
should be made a free state, a
great number were off, and among other
little JudyJudy - This affiant afterwards moved
to the town of Saint LouisSt Louis where he saw
and recognised little JudyJudy as she was called.

who was owned by the late william LecompteLecompte .
And further this affiant saith not

Judy
vs
MeachumMeachum

Affidavit of
FrancisFrancis Creli

We command you to ummon BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum is he be
found in your county, that he be and appear before the Judge
of ourCircuit CourtCircuit Court on the first day of the next Term thereof,
to be held at the City of St. LouisCity of St Louis within and for the CountyCounty of St Louis
of St. LouisCounty of St Louis on the second monday of March next - then
and there to answer unto JudyJudy of a plea of Tres pass
for false imprisonment, to the damage of said plain-
tiff of three hundred Dollars. - and have you then there
this writ.

1st. It is hereby ordered that JudyJudy a woman of color to permitted to
sue as a poor person for the recovery of her freedom and that F. W. Risque
be assigned her as counel for that purpose.

2nd - That the said JudyJudy have reasonable liberty to attend her counsel
and the Court as occasion May require that she be not removed
out of the jurisdiction of this Court and that she be not subject to any
severity on account of her application for freedom 9th Jany 1837.

Executed this writ by Reading it and
the declaration & petition and also the
order made by the honorable Judge

to the within named BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum
on the 10th day of January 1837 in
the county of St. LouisSt Louis

We of the Jury find for the plaintiff
and assess her damages to one cent.

JudyJudy -
vs
BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum

This is an action of trespass
for false imprisonment

Dam. $300.

Judgment by default and damages - Book 8 page 304

We of the jury find for
for the that

We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and circumspection, do au-
thorize and require you, that you cause to come before you, such person or persons as shall
be named to you by JudyJudy , her
Attorney or Agent, and him or them examine upon his, her or their corporal oath, (to be by
you administered,) touching their knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain mat-
ter of controversy, now pending in our Circuit CourtCircuit Court , for the county of St. LouisSt Louis, wherein
JudyJudy , is
plaintiff and Berry meachum is
defendant on the part of the the plaintiff and having so reduced
the said depositions so taken by you as aforesaid in writing, you are required to send the
same, together with this commission, enclosed under your seal, to our said Circuit CourtCircuit Court ,
with all convenient speed.

JudyJudy
vs
Berry MeachumBerry Meachum

Dedimus to take Depositions for plaintiff

Sir, take notice that on friday the
twenty first day of the present month (July) between
the hours of eight o clock A.M and of seven o,
clock P.M at the tavern of John C Clark in the town
of VincennesVincennes in the state of IndianaIndiana I shall take de-
positions of witnesses which when take are intended to
be read as evidance upon the trial of an action of
trespass for false imprisonment in forma pauperis
for the recovery of freedom, now depending in the
Circuit court of Saint LouisSt Louis county in which I am
plaintiff and you are defendant and if the taking
of the said depositions should not be completed on
that day they will be continued from day to day be-
tween the same hours and at the same place, when
and where you may attend if you think proper.

This day woodson A. Burton personally
appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace
in and for the county aforesaid and made oath that
he did on wednesday the 5th of july 1837deliver to
Berry MeachumBerry Meachum the within named defendant a true
copy of the within notice.

Page 1st.

Depositions of Witnesses produced, sworn and examined
at the Tavern of John C Clark in the Town of VincennesVincennes in the
County of KnoxCounty of Knox and State of IndianaIndiana before one SamuelSamuel Hill
a Justice of the peace in and for said Town and County
in a certain cause now depending in the Circuit CourtCircuit Court of
Saint LouisSt Louis County in the State of MissouriMissouri between
JudyJudy a woman of color plaintiff and BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum deft.
on the part of the plff.

Daniel Strother a man of Color of lawful age being produced
sworn and examined on the part of the plaintiff deposeth
and saith

Question By plffs. atty. Are you acquainted with RobertRobert Buntin Jr BuntinRobert Buntin Jr JrRobert Buntin Jr .
Answer - Yes.

By same In what year did you become acquainted with him
Ans. 2 I think it was in the year 1793 -

By same. when did he reside when you first knew him
Ans. Here in VincennesVincennes.

By same, Has he resided here ever since?

Ans. He has resided in VincennesVincennes until about five
years. ago, when he moved to the Country and now
lives in this (KnoxKnox County ) CountyKnox County

By same; was he or was he not the owner of slaves
at any time during his residence in VincennesVincennes?

answer. He was the owner of Indented servants
a good many.But never owned any slaves. He
(Mr. BuntinBunton ) did not come to VincennesVincennes until after
the ordinance of 1787.

By same. What were their names and ages?

ans. Old JudyJudy & husband WilliamWilliam and two children
SarahSarah and LouisaLouisa . Nancy Phillis and Young JudyJudy -
By same - what was the age of JudyJudy (the plff) when
you first know her?

Page 2nd.

Ans.. She appeared to be between thirteen or fourteen
young looking.

By same. What was her size, color &c. at the time referred
to in the last question?

ans. She was a well grown girl, but grew a good
deal after Mr. BuntinBunton got her. she was dark. she was
large tall, and heavy before she left here perhaps would
have weighed 150 or 160.

By same. In what year did RobertRobert Buntin BuntinRobert Buntin bring JudyJudy
to VincennesVincennes; and from whom and where did he by
her?

ans. Capt., R.Buntin did not bring her here. She was
brought to VincennesVincennes I think in 1796. By a woman
who called herself Mrs. McCue from whom BuntinBunton bought
her. - She (Mrs. McCue) ) said she came from VirginiaVirginia
she boarded with Mr. BuntinBunton and was in want of money
and sold Plff to Mr. BuntinBunton to raise some.

Question by same. How long did she remain in the
possession and under the control of RobertRobert Buntin BuntinRobert Buntin ?

ans. Four or five years or thereabout

By same. was she or was she not sent off from
VincennesVincennes - if so state - in what year and in
whose custody?

ans. She went from Buntins custody into that of
Touissant Dubois? die? which was the last I knew
of her. she disappeared all once from VincennesVincennes
without my knowing how - Mr. DuboisDubois was a
man - and I dont know wheter he took or sent her
off I heard that Mr. DuboisDubois employed aFrenchman
by the name of Genereux to take her away to New
MadridMadrid the first I heard of her afterwards was

Page 3d.

That she was at KaskaskiaKaskaskia. with PierrePierre Menard MenardPierre Menard .
By same. Have you or have you not seen her since
her departure?

Ans. I have not- I have frequently heard though
that she was at St LouisSt Louis.
and further
This deponent saith not-

I SamuelSamuel Hill a Justice of the Peace in
and for VincennesVincennesKnox CountyKnox County IndianaIndiana
do hereby certify that Daniel Strother the
deponent where place of residence is in
VincennesVincennes in the State of IndianaIndianawas by
me sworn to tesify the whole truth to
his knowledge touching the matter in
controversy in the cause aforesaid. That Deponent was examined, and his examin-
ation reduced to writing and subscribed
by said Deponent in my presence on the
Twentyfirst day of July in the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty seven. Between
the hours of Eight O'Clock in the forenoon
and of seven O'Clock in the afternoon at the
Tavern of John C Clark in the town of
VincennesVincennes in the County of KnoxCounty of Knox StateIndiana
of IndianaIndiana. Given and certified this
21st day of July 1837

Page 4th

PeggyPeggy , Pelkie. a woman of color. being produced, sworn
and examined on the part of the plaintiff deposeth
and saith

Question By Plffs atty. Are you acquaninted with RobertRobert Buntin Jr
BuntinRobert Buntin Jr JrRobert Buntin Jr . ?

Ans. I am

By same- In what year did you first know him

Ans. I knew him first about 1793-

By same- Has he resided here, and have you known
him ever since-?

Ans. I have been acquanted with him ever
since- and mr.BuntinBunton has lived in Town or the
neighbourhood ever since- I was a good due in
his family-

By same- was he or was he not the owner of
slaves at any time during his residence in
VincennesVincennes ?

Ans- He had slaves, all that came on first were
slaves- we had then no indentures

By same- what were their names.

Ans Old JudyJudy and young Judy Sally, LouisaLouisa
and WilliamWilliam .

By same- What was the age of young JudyJudy when
you first knew her

Ans- about thirteen or fourteen I think

By same- What was her size, color at the time
you first saw her

Ans.Black, and midling large

By same- In what year did RobertRobert Buntin Jr BuntinRobert Buntin Jr JrRobert Buntin Jr .
bringJudyJudy to VincennesVincennes and from whom and
where did he By her?

Page 5th
Ans. I dont know where he bought her nor who
from- and I dont know the time she brough was
brought here exactly- She was brought though
I think by Mrs. McCue about 1796-

Que By same- How long did she remain with
RobertRobert Buntin BuntinRobert Buntin and under his control

Ans. about three or four years I think it
has been so long that I cant tell the time
exactly.

By same- Was she or was she not sent off
from VincennesVincennes. if so state in what year
and in whose custody-?

Ans. I dont know and cant tell who took
her away- She was first taken to T.Dubois
and from there was first taken away as was supposed
Then to IllinoisIllinois- but it was not certainly known
where nor by whom but Mr.MenardMenard was
believed to be the one that took her-

By same- Were you Bound or indented when JudyJudy
was here-

Ans. I was. and had been bound about three
years before she came- was brought
further this deponent saith not.

I samuel Hill a Justice of the peace in and
for VincennesVincennes. Knox CountyKnox County IndianaIndiana do hereby
certify that Peggy Pelkia the deponent whose
place of residence is in VincennesVincennes in the state
of IndianaIndiana was by me sworm to testify the whole
truth of her knowledge touching the matter
in controversy in the cause aforesaid- That

Page 6th
deponent was examined, and his examination
reduced to writing and subscribed by said
deponent in my presence on the Twenty first day of July in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, Between the hours of eight O Clock in
the forenoon and of seven O Clolk in the afternoon
at the Tavern of John C Clark in the Town of VincennesVincennes
in the County of KnoxCounty of Knox and state of IndianaIndiana
Given and certified this 21st day of July 1837.

De la Hailandiere of Lawful age being produced
sworn and examined on the part of the Plaintiff
deposeth and saith

. That the paper hereto annexed
and affixed as an extract from the Register of the Chapel
of St.Xavier of Vincenes is a correct copy
marked A

I SamuelSamuel Hill a Justice of the Peace in and for the
Borough of Vincennes. Knox CountyKnox County IndianaIndiana. do hereby
certify that De La Hailandiere. The deponent whose place
of residence is in VincennesVincennesKnox CountyKnox County of was by
me affirmed to testify the whole truth of his knowledge
touching the matter in controversy in the cause aforesaid
that deponent was examined and his examination
reduced to writing and subscribed by said deponent
in my presence on the twenty first day of July in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven.

page 7th.

Between the hours of eight o clock in the forenoon
and of seven O'clock of the afternoon at the Tavern
of John C Clark in the Town of VincennesVincennes in the
County of KnoxCounty of Knox and State of IndianaIndiana

Not being able to complete the taking
of said Depositions, by reason of the
age and infirmity of one of the
witnesses. I adjourn the further taking
of the same until tomorrow then to
be continued at the same place and
between the said hours mentioned is
the annexed notice

Pursuant to the adjournment as afore
stated on the twenty second day of July Eighteen Hundred and thirty seven
between the hours of eight o'clock AM
and seven o'clock P.M at the Tavern
of John C Clark in the town of Vin
-cennes County ofCounty of Knox KnoxCounty of Knox State of Indian
I continued the taking of said Depo
sitions as follows.

Robert BuntinRobert Buntin of lawful age being produced, sworn
and examined, on the part of the plaintiff deposeth and
saith

Page 8th.

Question By plff. atty. In what your did you come to VincennesVincennes
Ans I came to VincennesVincennes in april or May 1793 -

By same Have you ever been the owner of slaves - since
your residence in VincennesVincennes . ?

ans. I have been the owner of Black people. I bought them
all generally with the intention of liberating them
I bought them all after 1787-

The first I boughts was WilliamWilliam - and JudyJudy his
wife and SallySally her oldest child. I bought also
afterwards young JudyJudy . from WilliamWilliam SullivanSullivan
in the year 1799. as appears by his Bill of Salel to
me hereto annexed and made part of this deposition
By same - Did you know one Mrs. McCue. about 1796
who resided in VincennesVincennes?

ans. I know a Mrs. Chew. who resided in the Garrison
adjoining my residence. she was brought in
by the Indians and represented herself as the
wife of a Mr. Chew who she said was killed
by the Indians whilst trading down the River
as she represented - I was acting
as Quartermaster and Commissary to the Garrison
by order of the Commanding officer -
General WilkinsonWilkinson

By same. Was Young JudyJudy brought to VincennesVincennes
about the time that Mrs. Chew was brought
in by the Indians - or was she not?

ans. Yes Mrs. Chew I think was brought in
before some time - but near about the same
time.

By same. How long did you own young JudyJudy
am. I dont know perhaps two, three, or four years.

page 9th

By same who did you sell her to?

ans - I cant be positive but I believe I transferred
her to TouissantDubois - I am pretty sure of it
but will not state so positively - I heard
that he, afterwards, I think had sold her
to PierrePierre Menard MenardPierre Menard . This was she common report

By same - Did you or did you not sell her as a
slave - state if so how you sold her

ans - I did not sell her as a slave - I believe I
never sold any black or blacks or slaves.
I think I sold her with her indentures for
fifteen years - she was bound to me for
a certain length of time - to repay me the
amount I had expended for her - and I sold
only her services for the tme specified in
her indenture whatever it was which I cant
certainly recollect it has been so long Since
But believe it was fifteen years - from the
time she was bound - I generally took an inden-
turefor this time

By same - Did you or did you not bring young
JudyJudy to VincennesVincennes from KentuckyKentucky

ans - I bought her in LouisvilleLouisville and brought her
to this place immediately -
and further this deponent says not

R.Buntin

I SamuelSamuel Hill a Justice
of the Peace in and for VincennesVincennesKnoxKnox County CountyKnox County
IndianaIndianaDo hereby Certify that RobertRobert Buntin BuntinRobert Buntin
the Deponent place of residence is
KnoxKnox County CountyKnox County in the State ofIndiana IndianaIndiana was by me
sworn to the whole testifytruth to his knolwedge
touching the controversy in the cause aforesaid
That Deponent was examined and his examination
reduced to writing and Subscribed by saidDeponent
in my presence on the twenty second day of July eighteen hundred and thirty seven betwen the
hours of eight o' clock in the forenoon and of
seven o'clock in the afternoon at the Tavern
of JohnCClark in the town of VincennesVincennes
County of Knox StateIndiana of IndianaIndiana Given and
certified this Twenty second day of July Eighteen Hundred and Thirty seven

ISamuelSamuel Hill a justice of the
Peace within and for the County ofCounty of Knox KnoxCounty of Knox
State of do Certify that in
pursuance of the annexed commissouri
and notice came before me at the tavern
of John C Clark in the town of VincennesVincennes
County and State aforesaid DanielStrother
PeggyPelkia De Hailandiere and
RobertRobert Buntin BuntinRobert Buntin the precceeding witnesses who
were by one sworn and examined and
such examination reduced to writing and
subscribed by them respectively in my

presence and their said Depositions are
now herewith returned. Given at
VincennesVincennes in the County of Knox StateIndiana
of IndianaIndiana this 22nd day of July Eighteen Hundred and Thirty seven

IAlexanderD Scott Clerk
of the KnoxKnox CircuitCircuit Court CourtCircuit Court do hereby Certify
that SamuelSamuel HillEsq on friday and Saturday
the twenty first and twenty Second days of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty sevenwas and now is
an acting Justice of the Peace within and
for the County ofCounty of Knox KnoxCounty of Knox and State ofIndiana IndianaIndiana
duly Commisioned and acting as such
and that full faith an credit are due his acts
as Such

JudyJudy
vs
BerryBerry Meachum MeachumBerry Meachum

Depositions

A
Extrait des registres debaptismedelaparoisse deSt Francois
Xavier de VincennesVincennes- pour l'annee 1792- page 207.
on writ suit: â

he six Mart Mil Cort quatre vingt douze por nous
P. a ete ondoye francois ne
du legitime mariage de Jerome et deThereseTherese
ses frere et mere. L'enfant ne letrois du present
le parrainFrancoisFrancois Cantame et la marraine Francoise
Bergenot que le paroisse qui a signe avec nous

Signe au registre Contet my. P. Mallet.
an lesceremonies du baptime out ete
par moi Flaget , .

Know all men by these presents that I WilliamWilliam SullivanSullivan
of the County of JeffersonCounty of Jefferson and State of KentuckyKentucky for &
in Consideration of the Sum of Two Hundred and fifty
Dollars to me in hand paid have this day bargained
sold and delivered unto RobertRobert Bunten of KnoxKnox County
CountyKnox County a Negro Woman named Juda being the
some that I purchased of PeterPeter Macey, about sixteen
years old the said Negro Women I will warrant
and defend from the claim of all persons whatever
Witness my hand and seal this twenty second day of October 1799(nine)

Annexed to Deposition of:
R Buntin- in case of JudyJudy
v B Meachum-

SullivanSullivan
to
BuntonBunton

a Negro girl