03/29/1842: State of Missouri vs. Ben, A Slave - Murder (Tom)

Archive

-

Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign Platte County Black History Repository

Entry/Object ID

CC.0023

Collection

1839-1869 Platte County, Missouri, Circuit Court Docket

Archive Items Details

Description

Jury found Ben "not guilty" of murder. Ben was a slave owned by Ware S. May. Docket entry does not contains any additional details. Missouri Archives Judicial Records Historical Database (images available) indicates "Defendants charged in death of Tom, a slave belonging to Andrew S. Hughes; Ben was owned by Ware S. May and his case went to trial in Platte County. Ware S. May received change of venue to Clay County." Missouri Archives Judicial Records Historical Database has an on-line record and scanned case file images.

Date(s) of Creation

3/29/1842

Other Names and Numbers

Other Names

Name Type

Enslaved

Other Name

Tom

Name Type

Enslaver

Other Name

Hughes, Andrew S.

Other Numbers

Number Type

Source Citation

Other Number

Circuit Court Docket Vol. A1 1839-1843: Cir.A1.303

Web Links and URLs

https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Records/Archives/ArchivesMVC/JudicialRecords/

Copyright

Copyright Details

© 2026 BAAC All Rights Reserved

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Bill Nichols

Date

6/5/2025

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Robin Nava

Date

7/5/2025

General Notes

Note

1842.03.29 Cir.A1.303 Missouri vs Ben.jpg 1842.03.29 Cir.A1.304 Missouri vs Ben.jpg 1842.03.29 Cir.A1.303 Missouri vs Ben c42061_B0002F0066.pdf

Note

BAAC workbook: 1839-1869 Circuit Court Docket CatalogIt version.xlsx [Circuit MJRHD 02.14.26]

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

September 2, 2026

Updated By

[email protected]

Update Date

September 16, 2026

Name/Title

03/29/1842: State of Missouri vs. Ben, A Slave - Murder (Tom)