Francis Jackson, a man of color, vs Frances Tisdale, 1820

Description:	On February 4, 1820 before F. Graeter J.P., Francis Tisdale files a complaint against Francis Jackson also known as Mulee, a man of color, and a servant to her. She states he is disorderly to her and wont obey her and has departed from her unlawfully and asks before the court that he be arrested and placed in jail. This writ is executed by Sheriff B. V. Beckes. On February 18, 1821 a writ of habeas corpus was issued to the Sheriff asking Francis Jackson aka Mule who is being unlawfully held brought to court with the reason given on why he is being held in jail. Signed February 18,1820 by J. Doty, Presiding Judge. On the back of the writ the response was he was being held in obedience to the commands herewith it is stated the cause of Francis Jacksons detention is mutinous behavior and he was ordered to jail until he humbles himself to his mistresss satisfaction or delivered from custody by due course of the law signed February 4, 1820 by F. Graeter. Francis Jackson aka Mulee by Moses Tabbs his attorney files his replication which states he was born in the state of Indiana in July 1787 and feels he is being unlawfully held in the custody of Francis Tisdale and has brought a writ of habeas corpus against her. She states he is her slave as she had bought him. The Court after hearing arguments stated the facts. The mother of the applicant was living in the Territory N.W. of Ohio previously known as Virginia. Applicant was born since the succession of Virginia and since the passage of the ordinance of Congress for the Government of the Territory N. W. of the Ohio. That the mother of the said applicant was not liberated or emancipated that was effected by the passage of the sixth article of the ordinance of Congress before referred to upon which facts the following questions will rise: First whether the mother of the fore said applicant was liberated by 6th article of Congress which prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude in the Territory N.W. of the Ohio. Second if not whether the offspring was born free in consequence of said ordinance not withstanding mother of at the time was in a state of absolute slavery. The court rules that because the mother and son were born as slaves in a slave state they remain slaves and property of their masters and cannot be set free by the order of congress and that the slave Mulee be ordered by the court be restored to Francoise Tisdale his mistress. On back of the copy a note to included Polly in the opinions of the court.
Origin:	1820
Contributor(s):	Graeter, F.; Tisdale, Francis; Jackson, Francis; Mulee; Beckes, B. V.; Tabbs, Moses;
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/kcpl/id/46336
Collection:	Knox County Public Library
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/;
Copyright:	No Copyright - United States;
Geography:	Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, United States
Subjects:	Black people -- America -- History African Americans -- History Black people -- History Slave records Slave labor Slavery Slaveholders Enslaved women Enslaved men Slavery -- Law and legislation Indentured servants Indiana -- Northwest Indiana -- History Vincennes (Ind.) Knox County (Ind.)

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