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People
Meet the many people who argued for and against carceral, institutional, and interpersonal confinement in the petitions filed in County and District Courts throughout the American West over the long nineteenth century. Browse or search people by name, demographic characteristics, case role, and/or relationships described in each petition. Our encoding practice for people features data pulled from the available case files and in some instances additional data from supplemental sources is also included. Only people with case roles are indexed here, while all persons named in a case are listed on the case page. The Glossary defines the attributes used to structure data from the habeas petitions. The Code Book explains the relational structure of the data and functionality of the database website.
Featured story: Lucía Martínez: Yaqui Arizona, 1854-1900
Basic Search
Simply enter the word you wish to find and the search engine will search for every instance of the word in the journals. For example: Fight. All instances of the use of the word fight will show up on the results page.
Wildcard Searches
Using an asterisk (*) will increase the odds of finding the results you are seeking. For example: Fight*. The search results will display every instance of fight, fights, fighting, etc. More than one wildcard may be used. For example: *ricar*. This search will return most references to the Aricara tribe, including Ricara, Ricares, Aricaris, Ricaries, Ricaree, Ricareis, and Ricarra. Using a question mark (?) instead of an asterisk (*) will allow you to search for a single character. For example, r?n will find all instances of ran and run, but will not find rain or ruin.
Capitalization
Searches are not case sensitive. For example: george will come up with the same results as George.
Phrase Search
Searching for a specific phrase may help narrow down the results. Rather long phrases are no problem. For example: "This white pudding we all esteem".
Subsequent Searches
Because of the creative spellings used by the journalists, it may be necessary to try your search multiple times. For example: P?ro*. This search brings up numerous variant spellings of the French word pirogue, "a large dugout canoe or open boat." Searching for P?*r*og?* will bring up other variant spellings. Searching for canoe or boat also may be helpful.
Filter by:
Race or Ethnicity
- Black 138
- Multiracial 4
- Colored 2
- Indigenous 2
- Unknown 1
- White 1
Birth Place
- Unknown 73
- United States 24
- Virginia 8
- Missouri 7
- Illinois 5
- Mississippi 4
- Pennsylvania 4
- Georgia 2
- Nebraska 2
- Ohio 2
- Polk County, Oregon 2
- District of Columbia 1
- Indiana 1
- Iowa 1
- Kentucky 1
- Mexico 1
- North Carolina 1
- Tennessee 1
- Texas 1
Age Category
- Adult 72
- Unindicated 27
- Minor 23
- Unclear 7
Relationships
- judged by 105
- attorney for 68
- jailed by 57
- parent of 28
- attorney against 22
- enslaved by 18
- sibling of 17
- child of 10
- detained by 8
- married to 8
- next friend of 8
- in the disputed interpersonal custody of 7
- kidnapper of 7
- formerly enslaved by 6
- grandparent of 5
- inlaw of 3
- opposing attorney to 3
- relative of 3
- represented by 3
- friend of 2
- parent-appointed guardian of 2
- son 2
- stepparent of 2
- an institutional ward of 1
- attorney with 1
- cohabitating with 1
- court-appointed guardian of 1
- indentured to 1
Cases
- Application of Robin Holmes for a Habeas Corpus directed to Natheniel Ford to bring up the bodies of Jenny or Mary Jane Holmes, Roxanna Holmes and James Holmes, children of said Robin Holmes 5
- In the Matter of the Application of W. M. McPhay for Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- Mary Charlotte, woman of color v. Gabriel S. Choteau 5
- Habeas Corpus To the Jailor of S Louis County. P. Chouteau Sr. B. Pratte & A. Amelin 4
- Anson and Michael, persons of color, by and through their next friend, William Clark v. Elijah Mitchel 3
- In the Matter of Application for writ of Habeas Corpus for Harry Carr and Herbert Carr minor children of Sam'l L. Carr 3
- In the matter of application of M. O. Ricketts for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of ‘Till’ 3
- In the matter of Matt Puryear for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Joseph Thomas Williams, by Joseph Lafayette Williams, his father and next friend for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Lee Barrington for Habeas Corpus 3
- Milly, a black woman, for herself and her two infant children, Eliza and Bob v. Mathias Rose 3
- In the matter of the illegal confinement of Nellie Louisa Lopez 2
- Application of Fred L. Smith for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Red Johnson 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Nancy Martin alias Nancy Belle Miller 2
- Habeas Corpus to F. Hickman 2
- In Re Application of Jane M. Williams for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of GL Jeffrey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of JG Jeffreys for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of Julia alias Mary Ann on Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the app of Florence Garrison et ux for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Dora Foster for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of George Hall, W. M. Thompson, and John Phillips for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Leon Richardson for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Lola Williamson for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Mamie S Gipson and Cora Mafall for a writ of habeas corpus 2
- Malinda and Nelly, people of color, by and through their next friend, Beriah Cleland v. Robert Wilburn 2
- Marianne, a person of color vs. Elijah Mitchel, Alexander J. Fields 2
- Roy Walker vs. Henry Dunn, Chief of Police, Steve Maloney, Chief of Detectives, Michael F. Dempsey, Captain of Police, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- To Rolla Rose Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of application for Habeas Corpus for Jay Roy 1
- In the Matter of the application of Frank Dupree for writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- Israel/Israil, a man of color vs. William Rector, Isaac Luther 1
- Anderson Steward, a colored man v. John M. Jamison 1
- Ann, a woman of color v. John M. Jamison 1
- Anna, a woman of color vs. Thomas Higginbotham 1
- Anson, a boy of color v. Henry G. Mitchel and Henry C. Russel 1
- Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Elizabeth Bird 1
- Arch v. Barnabas Harris 1
- Aspasia Petition for Habeas Corpus 1
- By the Habeas Corpus Act, State Missouri vs. John Young 1
- David McFoy, a person of color v. William Brown 1
- Ex parte William Johnson 1
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Adam Marshall 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Adam Riley 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Alexander S. Butler 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Alfred Conrad 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Charles Dorsey 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Coley A. D. Harris 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Eleck Loan 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Eliza Duncan 1
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of George Bailey 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Henry Freeman 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of John Crawley 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of John Medford 1
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Joseph Adams 1
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Mary Wilson 1
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Napoleon Johnson 1
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Rebecca A. Moore 1
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of William Blackburn 1
- Habeas corpus to James Young 1
- In re Application of Minnie Boxter a minor by her mother and natural guardian Sarah Younsum for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In re Application of Nora Dixson, on Behalf of David Moore, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In Re David H. Oliver, Habeas Corpus 1
- In re Geo. Washington Kirk 1
- In the application of George Matson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of application of Sunny Luckey alias Charles Edwards for writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of Elihu Schooner 1
- In the matter of Elizabeth Vincent 1
- In the matter of George W. Turley upon a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of James A. Parker 1
- In the Matter of Jesse, a man of color 1
- In the matter of John Bellamy 1
- In the matter of Nelson Lawson 1
- In the matter of Petition of Meridy Dawsey for Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of Samuel Slaughter Negro Pet. for Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application for Habeas Corpus for Peter Robinson 1
- In the matter of the application of A. B. Burks for a writ of habeas corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Ada Wilson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Claus Hubbard for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Emma Banks for Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Esther A. Johnson, Chief Juvenile Officer for writ of Habeas Corpus (Harry Litter) [Little 1
- In the Matter of the application of Eva Tolls alias Eva White for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the application of Fred L. Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Annie Brown 1
- In the matter of the application of Fred L. Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Minnie Tarlton 1
- In the matter of the application of Fred L. Smith for writ of Habeas Corpus for Frank Fryson 1
- In the matter of the application of George W. Steward Father and legal Guardian and cutodian of George W. Steward Jr. Minor for Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of James Washington for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Jeannie Du Bois for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Lewis Johnson, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Mamie Allen for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Mary Quine for Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the Application of Miles Guba 1
- In the matter of the Application of Mina Evans for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Nathan Sanguinette for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Ole Jackson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the application of Oscar Lehmann for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Otto F. Lindner for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Pierce H. O'Dell for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of R. H. Johnson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Robert H. Johnson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
138 results
Download JSON Download CSVHolmes, Mary (Polly)
- Birth date: January 1, 1810
- Birth place: Virginia
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
Holmes, Robert (Robin)
- Birth date: January 1, 1810
- Birth place: Virginia
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Dorsey, Charles
- Birth date: January 1, 1818
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Wilson, Mary
- Birth date: January 1, 1819
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Multiracial, Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Turley, George W.
- Birth date: October 1, 1829
- Birth place: Virginia, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Johnson, Napoleon
- Birth date: January 1, 1831
- Birth place: Missouri
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Butler, Alexander S.
- Birth date: January 1, 1831
- Birth place: Pennsylvania, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Schooner, Elihu (Eli Schooner)
- Birth date: December 1, 1832
- Birth place: Ohio, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Multiracial, Indigenous, Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Kirk, George Washington (George Washington Kerr)
- Birth date: January 1, 1834
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Multiracial, Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Harris, Coley A. D. (Chloe Ann Harris)
- Birth date: January 1, 1834
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Marshall, Adam
- Birth date: January 1, 1834
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Bellamy, John
- Birth date: January 1, 1835
- Birth place: Missouri, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Lawson, Nelson
- Birth date: January 1, 1837
- Birth place: Pennsylvania, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Holmes, Mary Jane (Jenny)
- Birth date: December 4, 1839
- Birth place: Missouri
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Martin, Nancy (Nancy Belle Miller)
- Birth date: February 29, 1840
- Birth place: Virginia, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Holmes, James R.
- Birth date: January 1, 1845
- Birth place: Polk County, Oregon
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Medford, John
- Birth date: January 1, 1845
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Holmes, Roxanna
- Birth date: October 1, 1846
- Birth place: Polk County, Oregon
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Ricketts, Matthew Oliver
- Birth date: April 3, 1853
- Birth place: Kentucky, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Robbins, Silas
- Birth date: February 14, 1854
- Birth place: Ohio
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Carr, Samuel L.
- Birth date: January 1, 1857
- Birth place: Missouri, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
McPhay, William (William Richards, Homer Walker)
- Birth date: January 1, 1872
- Birth place: Mississippi
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Robinson, Lafayette K.
- Birth date: January 1, 1874
- Birth place: Virginia, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Williams, Jane M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1875
- Birth place: Tennessee
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Adams, John
- Birth date: February 2, 1876
- Birth place: Georgia
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
O'Dell, Pierce H. (Prince H. O'Dell)
- Birth date: January 1, 1877
- Birth place: North Carolina
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Hall, George
- Birth date: January 1, 1880
- Birth place: Texas
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
McPhay, Perla
- Birth date: January 1, 1880
- Birth place: Mississippi
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Interested party
Gipson, Mamie S.
- Birth date: January 1, 1883
- Birth place: Missouri
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Phillips, John
- Birth date: January 1, 1885
- Birth place: Virginia
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Scruggs, Amos P.
- Birth date: January 16, 1895
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Richards, Rosalie
- Birth date: January 1, 1896
- Birth place: Mississippi
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Interested party
Richards, Adrian
- Birth date: January 1, 1898
- Birth place: Mississippi
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Interested party
Carr, Harry
- Birth date: January 1, 1899
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Carr, Herbert
- Birth date: January 1, 1900
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Allen, Mamie
- Birth date: January 1, 1901
- Birth place: Georgia
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Little, Harry
- Birth date: January 1, 1906
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Williams, Joseph Thomas
- Birth date: January 1, 1921
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Titus, Marianne (Mary Ann)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Sanguinette, Nathan (Sanguinetti)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black, White
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Ann
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Hawkins, J. E.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney, respondent attorney
Anson
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Freeman, Henry
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Evans, Mina
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Barrington, Elisa
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Interested party
Luckey, Sunny (Soney Lucky, Sunney Luckey, alias Charles Edwards)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Multiracial, Black, Indigenous
- Case role(s): Bound party
Bob
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Julia (Mary Ann)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Jeffrey, G.L. (G.L. Jeffries, J.G. Jeffreys)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
