State of Missouri v. Celia, a Slave (1855), was a case in which Ceila, a nineteen year old slave, beat her master to death to prevent him from raping her
She plead self-defense but was found guilty of murder and was hung on December, 21, 1855
#WomensHistoryMonth 🧵
She plead self-defense but was found guilty of murder and was hung on December, 21, 1855
#WomensHistoryMonth 🧵
Not much is known about Celia before she was purchased by Robert Newsom in 1850 at the age of 14
From the moment she arrived Celia was repeated sexually assaulted by Robert and gave birth to two children*, both most likely his
*Celia has living descendants, more on that later
From the moment she arrived Celia was repeated sexually assaulted by Robert and gave birth to two children*, both most likely his
*Celia has living descendants, more on that later
On Saturday June 23, 1855 Robert Newsom visited Celia in "her cabin" and attempted to rape her
Celia warned Robert she would hurt him if tried and so she did
She took a stick "about as large as the upper part of a Windsor chair" and hit him over the head twice killing him
Celia warned Robert she would hurt him if tried and so she did
She took a stick "about as large as the upper part of a Windsor chair" and hit him over the head twice killing him
To dispose of Robert Celia placed the body in the fireplace, and then crushed up the larger fragments with a rock
The next morning Celia enticed Robert's unknowing grandson with some walnuts to scoop and shovel the remains from the fireplace which he then spread outside nearby
The next morning Celia enticed Robert's unknowing grandson with some walnuts to scoop and shovel the remains from the fireplace which he then spread outside nearby
Although she tried to hide the evidence, the family quickly suspected Celia and on the following Monday, June 25, 1855 the trial began
Her defense argued that a slave has a right to self-defense based on a 1845 Missouri statute that made it a crime "to take any woman unlawfully against her will and by force, menace or duress, compel her to be defiled"
If true, Celia's case threatened the foundations of slavery
If true, Celia's case threatened the foundations of slavery
In the end, Judge William Hall instructed the all white jury to deny Celia's right to acquittal based on self defense and Celia was found guilty
At some time between her incarceration and execution Celia gave birth to a third child, but the infant was stillborn
At some time between her incarceration and execution Celia gave birth to a third child, but the infant was stillborn
As of 2021, Celia's oldest living descendant is named Theresa, age 90
Her family has maintained an oral history and collective memory of Celia that they have passed down through the generations
Here's a little about Theresa and an excerpt from an interview
Her family has maintained an oral history and collective memory of Celia that they have passed down through the generations
Here's a little about Theresa and an excerpt from an interview
Robert also has living white descendants with the oldest being Maura, 90
Her family however tries to hide and downplay their cruel family history:
"that was fine" "that was alright"
But they still "all recognized that" they owned slaves 🤔
Her family however tries to hide and downplay their cruel family history:
"that was fine" "that was alright"
But they still "all recognized that" they owned slaves 🤔
Descendants of Celia and Robert Speak researchgate.net/publication/34…
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