First Circuit Court Case, 1846

  1. Petition to sue for freedom, Dred Scott, filed April 6, 1846; back page indicates approval of petition and permission to sue granted by Judge John Krum, Circuit Court of St. Louis County
  2. Petition to sue for freedom, Harriet Scott, filed April 6, 1846; back page indicates approval of petition and permission to sue granted by Judge John Krum, Circuit Court of St. Louis County
  3. Petition of false imprisonment (pro forma charges of assault, etc.) for Dred Scott, filed November term 1846; signed by Francis Murdoch, attorney for Scott
  4. Petition of false imprisonment (pro forma charges of assault, etc.) for Harriet Scott, filed November term 1846; signed by Francis Murdoch (attorney for H. Scott)
  5. Writ of summons issued to Irene Emerson on April 6, 1846, ordering her to appear on the 3rd Monday of November 1846 to answer to the charge of trespass against Dred Scott; writ served April 7, 1846; Murdoch bound himself for all costs accrued
  6. Writ of summons issued to Irene Emerson on April 6, 1846, ordering her to appear on the 3rd Monday of November 1846 to answer to the charge of trespass against Harriet Scott; writ served April 7, 1846; Murdoch bound himself for all costs accrued
  7. Notice of Motion to Dismiss, filed April 9, 1846, by George W. Goode, Emerson's attorney; served upon Dred Scott, April 8, 1846
  8. Notice of Motion to Dismiss, filed April 9, 1846, by George W. Goode, Emerson's attorney; served upon Harriet Scott, April 8, 1846
  9. On November 19, 1846, in compliance with the April summons, Goode, on behalf of Irene Emerson, responded to the charges of trespass against Harriet Scott with a plea of "not guilty"
  10. November 19, 1846, in compliance with the April summons, Goode, on behalf of Irene Emerson, responded to the charge of trespass against Dred Scott with a plea of "not guilty"
  11. Notice to take depositions on behalf of Dred and Harriet Scott at office of Charles Drake (attorney for Scotts), filed May 10, 1847; signed by Drake
  12. Notice to take depositions on behalf of Dred Scott at dwelling place of William Anderson, filed May 10, 1847; signed by Drake
  13. Notice to take depositions on behalf of Harriet Scott at dwelling place of William Anderson, filed May 20, 1847; signed by Drake
  14. Certification of deposition of Mrs. Catherine A. Anderson, May 10, 1847; ex-wife of Lt. James L. Thompson who was stationed at Fort Snelling with Dr. Emerson
  15. Deposition of Mrs. Catherine A. Anderson on May 10, 1847 by Charles Drake
  16. Deposition of Miles H. Clark by Charles Drake, filed May 13, 1847; Clark had been stationed at Fort Snelling with Dr. Emerson
  17. Deposition of Miles H. Clark by Charles Drake, filed May 13, 1847; Clark had been stationed at Fort Snelling with Dr. Emerson
  18. Drake secured a written statement from Samuel Russell of St. Louis; the statement indicated that Russell had hired Scott from Mrs. Emerson and paid money for the slave's hire to Mrs. Emerson and her father, Alexander Sanford; known as "Exhibit A," it was filed June 2, 1847
  19. Writ of summons issued June 24, 1847, to Samuel Russell, Miles H. Clark, Catherine Anderson, Thomas O'Flaherty (steamboat captain), Thomas Gray (steamboat captain of Gipsey; Eliza Scott was born on board), Henry T. Blow, and Major A.D. Stueart (Army paymaster, had served at Fort Snelling)
  20. Writ of summons issued June 26, 1847, to John F. Carter and Steward Carter (connection to Scott and case unknown)
  21. Writ of summons issued June 30, 1847, to B(enoni) S. Garland (witness for defense, never called)
  22. Jury instructions for first circuit court case
  23. Motion for new trial by Dred and Harriet Scott's new attorney Samuel M. Bay, filed June 30, 1847
  24. Motion for new trial by Dred and Harriet Scott's new attorney Samuel M. Bay, filed July 1, 1847, with additional reasons
  25. Plaintiff s (Dred Scott) affidavit in support of motion for a new trial; filed July 24, 1847; signed with "X" by Dred Scott
  26. Plaintiff s (Dred Scott) affidavit in support of motion for a new trial; filed July 24, 1847; signed with "X" by Dred Scott
  27. Plaintiff (Dred Scott) Election for New Trial; filed by Scotts' new attorneys, Alexander P. Field and David N. Hall, November 15, 1847