Celia (slave) facts for kids

Celia (who died on December 21, 1855) was an enslaved woman. She was found guilty of causing the death of Robert Newsom, her enslaver, in Callaway County, Missouri. Celia's lawyers, led by John Jameson, argued that she acted in self-defense. They said she killed Robert Newsom by accident while trying to protect herself. Celia was executed in December 1855 after her appeal was turned down. Later, civil rights activist Margaret Bush Wilson helped bring Celia's story back into public memory. She asked artist Solomon Thurman to create a portrait of Celia.

Celia's Early Life

Not much is known about Celia's childhood. In 1850, Robert Newsom, a farmer, bought Celia when she was about 14 years old. He intended for her to work in his home.

Newsom kept Celia in a separate cabin near his main house. By early 1855, Celia began sharing this cabin with George, another enslaved man owned by Newsom.

Celia had three children. At least one of her children was Robert Newsom's. While Celia was in jail, she gave birth to her third child. Some historians believe this child was stillborn. However, newer studies suggest the child was sold after birth. Celia's living family members today may be descended from this child. After Celia's execution, her daughters were sold.

It is not known where Celia's body was buried.

The Trial of Celia

In early 1855, Celia, who was about 19, became pregnant for the third time. The father of this child was not certain. Around this time, George asked Celia to end her relationship with Robert Newsom. On June 23, 1855, when Newsom came to her cabin, Celia caused his death.

The next day, a search party questioned George and then Celia. After being questioned, Celia confessed. She insisted that George had not helped her plan the act or hide the body. After Celia was arrested, George was sold to another family.

Celia's trial, called State of Missouri vs. Celia, a Slave, lasted from June 25 to October 10, 1855. Celia was not allowed to speak in her own defense during the trial. At that time in Missouri, enslaved people could not testify if their words went against a white person's testimony.

Judge William Augustus Hall chose Celia's defense team. This team included John Jameson, Nathan Chapman Kouns, and Isaac M. Boulware. Jameson, the lead lawyer, also owned enslaved people. The defense team argued that Celia had the right to defend herself. They said that even though she was enslaved, Missouri law allowed her to use force to protect herself.

However, Judge Hall did not allow the jury to find Celia innocent based on self-defense. Celia's jury was made up entirely of white male farmers. Four of them owned enslaved people. They found Celia guilty on October 10, 1855.

Celia's lawyers asked for a new trial. They claimed Judge Hall had acted improperly. The judge denied this request. Celia was sentenced on October 13, 1855, to be executed on November 16, 1855. Her lawyers appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court. But the judge did not delay her execution.

Celia escaped from the Callaway County Jail on November 11. She stayed hidden until early December. She hoped to avoid execution before the Supreme Court could decide on her case. Harry Newsom, one of Robert Newsom's sons, brought Celia back to jail after she escaped.

On December 18, 1855, the Callaway Circuit Court ruled against delaying Celia's execution. They said there was no doubt she had caused Robert Newsom's death. They decided her reasons for doing so did not matter. The night before her execution, Celia gave a full confession. She again said that no one, including George, had helped her. This confession was reported in the Fulton Telegraph newspaper.

Celia was executed on December 21, 1855, at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Celia's Legacy

Celia's trial was reported in many newspapers. Papers hundreds of miles away wrote about her arrest. The Liberator, a newspaper by William Lloyd Garrison, reported that Newsom's death had no clear reason. Provincial Freeman in Canada, by Mary Ann Shadd Cary, and The New York Times reported on her execution. These papers did not include details about her case or her reasons. Local newspapers like the Fulton Telegraph included details of the event but not her reasons.

There are no known photos or descriptions of Celia from her time. However, Margaret Bush Wilson helped bring Celia's story back to public attention. Wilson learned about Celia's case in 1940. In 1990, she asked Solomon Thurman to create a portrait of Celia.

Since 2004, people in Fulton, Missouri, hold a public event. They remember Celia's life on the anniversary of her execution. This event often helps raise awareness about racism, unfair treatment of women, and violence in America's past. Both Solomon Thurman and Melton McLaurin, who wrote a popular book about Celia, have attended this event.

Two plays have been written about Celia:

• Pawley, Thomas, III. Song of the Middle River (play), 2003
• Seyda, Barbara. Celia, a Slave (Yale Drama Series), 2015.

See also

• Annice (slave), executed by Missouri in 1828
• Harriet Jacobs
• Joan Little, the first woman in the United States to be found not guilty of murder committed in self-defense.
• Mary (slave), executed by Missouri in 1838.