Petition #21184003

Abstract

Brunetta Barnes represents that she was born to free parents but is held in slavery by Berry Meachum, a free person of color and a Baptist preacher. Barnes charges that Meachum treats her "with harshness and inhumanity to wit by frequently & cruelly beating her." Barnes prays the court "to grant unto your petitioner permission to sue for her freedom as a poor person." Fearing that Meachum will remove her from Missouri as a result of her petition, the petitioner also asks the court to issue a warrant for her seizure and to compel Meachum or whoever possesses her to abide by the court's orders.

Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed.

5 people are documented within petition 21184003

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Citation information

Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri

Subjects