Celia, a Slave: Records from Callaway County Circuit Court

Celia File No. 4496

Records of Callaway Circuit Court from the proceedings in the matter of Missouri vs. Celia, a Slave.

Index

Warrant for Inquest: Constable of Fulton Township ordered to assemble 6 persons to inquire into the death of Robert Newsom (25 June 1855)

Affidavit of service of Warrant for Inquest (25 June 1855)

Inquest Verdict of Jury (25 June 1855) (Newsom was struck twice in the head by a stick or a club “by his own negro woman named Celia”).

Certification of Inquest Verdict of Jury (25 June 1855)

Affidavit of testimony of David Newsom (25 June 1855)(has cause to suspect and believe that Celia, a slave of Robert Newsome, “feloniously and willfully” struck him with a club or some other weapon and mortally wounded him).

Warrant: Constable of Fulton County ordered to bring Celia before the Justices of the Peace to answer the complaint against her (25 June 1855).

Affidavit of service and execution of warrant (25 June 1855).

Summons to testify before the Justices of the Peace in State of Missouri vs. Celia, a Slave (25 June 1855).

Sworn statements of testimony before the Justices of the Peace (25 June 1855)

William F. Powell (neighbor)

James C. Wainscott (victim’s grandson, unwittingly helped conceal evidence)

Celia

Writ of Mandamus: Constables to remove Celia to the jail until “she shall be discharged in due course of law,” probable cause having been found that she committed the crime (25 June 1855).

David Newsom, agreement to testify at trial (25 June 1855).

William Powell, agreement to testify at trial (__ June 1855).

Statement of expenses incurred in connection with the inquest (25 June 1855).

Duplicate Writ of Mandamus with notes as to associated costs (25 June 1855).

True Bill (__ August 1855).

Subpoenas ordering various witnesses to appear in Callaway Circuit Court on 2 October 1855 to testify in the matter of State of Missouri v. Celia, a Slave (August – October 1855).

Jury instructions proposed by the defense. Per notations on the side, most were refused (9 October 1855).

Jury instructions proposed by the prosecution (9 October 1855).

Verdict: defendant is guilty of murder in the first degree (undated).

Motion to Set Aside Verdict and Grant New Trial (11 October 1855).

Trial testimony of Jefferson Jones, Harry Newsom, Virginia Wainscott, Coffee Wainscott, William Powell, Doctor Smith, Doctor Young (for the prosecution); Dr. Martin, Thomas Shoatman (defense) (filed 13 October 1855).

Reimbursement sought for meals furnished to jury (15 October 1855).

Supreme Court Order denying Celia’s petition for a stay of execution pending appeal (14 December 1855).

A bill of jurors’ fees (15 October 1855).

Bill of Costs (15 April 1856).