Posted By:	Lee Crockett
	Email:
	Subject:	Florian Sonnier - Syphalide Carriere Court Petition - January 1855
	Post Date:	May 12, 2007 at 18:04:31
	Message URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/carriere/messages/279.html
	Forum:	Carriere Family Genealogy Forum
	Forum URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/carriere/

Digital Library on American Slavery http://library.uncg.edu/slavery/details.aspx?pid=8739 Petition 20885503 Details Location: St. Landry, Louisiana Salutation: To the Hon the Judge of the 15th Judicial District of the State of Louisiana, holding Court in and for the Parish of St Landry Filing Court and Date: District, 1855-January-30 Ending Court and Date: District, 1855-January-30 General Petition Information Abstract: Milien, a free man of color, represents that he was formerly owned by the late Carmalite Lacasse, widow of Ursin Carrière. On the 23rd of September 1852, he entered into a contract with his mistress to purchase his freedom for $550 cash, binding himself to continue serving her in whatever capacity until her death, which he did “faithfully” until her recent departure from life. According to Milien, the seven heirs of the late Mrs. Carrière are all desirous that he “should remain in possession of his liberty,” with the exception of Florian Sonnier, administrator of the estate, and his wife, Cephaline Carrière Sonnier. Milien charges that Sonnier has caused him to be listed as a slave on the estate inventory and is now advertising him for sale at auction, together with “some little property” he possesses. The property consists of two horses, twelve heads of cattle, and a bale of cotton. Milien therefore seeks writs of injunction and citation inhibiting Sonnier and his “aiders and abettors” from selling him and his property. He prays to be stricken from the estate inventory, together with his property, and to be declared free. Finally, he seeks $250 in damages. Result: partially granted # of Petition Pages: 5 Related Documents: Order, 30 January 1855 Pages of Related Documents: 0 People Associated with Petition 20885503 Slaves: 1 Free Persons of Color: 0 Defendants: 1 Petitioners: 1 List of Defendants in Petition 20885503 Name Role in Petition Enslavement Status Color Gender Age Birth Death Owned slaves? Occupation SONNIER, Florian defendant white male List of Petitioners in Petition 20885503 People Listing Name Role in Petition Enslavement Status Color Gender Age Birth Death Owned slaves? Occupation Milien ([Millien]) petitioner slave black male Citation Information Repository: St. Landry Parish Courthouse, Opelousas, Louisiana