Petition #20883206

Abstract

Geneviève Isabelle, a woman of color also known as Zabelle, presents to the court that she is being deprived of the "advantages of freedom" to which she is entitled by the "unjust pretensions" of one François Dauphin. She explains that she was born free in Santo Domingo and was brought to New Orleans by a free woman of color named Clémentine Chanlate. When in New Orleans, she continued to serve Clémentine Chanlate, but as a free person. Upon Clémentine's death, however, her four children and their natural father, the defendant François Dauphin, have suffered her, "until this day," to enjoy her freedom. However, when Isabelle asked Dauphin to acknowledge her freedom by "a public act," he refused to do so "under diverse frivolous pretenses." She therefore asks the court to cite Dauphin and his four natural children by the late Clémentine Chanlate to appear before the court and answer the charges. She also asks the court to declare that she is "a free person" and that the defendants have "no right whatsoever to exercise upon her" [Original in English and French; French version incomplete].

Result: Granted.

8 people are documented within petition 20883206

Or you may view all people.

Citation information

Repository: New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans, Louisiana

Subjects