Overview

In 1857, just a few years before the Emancipation Proclamation is established, a slave named Samuel Dred Scott lost a fight for not only his freedom, but that of his family.

For almost ten years, Scott had fought to regain his freedom--arguing that since he lived with his owner--John Emerson--in a free state, he should in fact, be free.

However, after a long battle, the United States Supreme Court ruled that since Scott was not a citizen, he could not sue in a federal court.

In addition, as an enslaved person, as property, he and his family had no rights to sue in a court of law either.

1795: Samuel "Dred" Scott is born in Southhampton, Va.

1832: Scott is sold to John Emerson, a United States army physician.

1834: Scott and Emerson move to the free state of Illinois.

1836: Scott marries Harriet Robinson, a slave of another army doctor.

1836 to 1842: Harriet gives birth to the couples two daughters, Eliza and Lizzie.

1843: The Scotts move to Missouri with the Emerson family.

1843: Emerson dies. Scott attempts to purchase his freedom from Emerson's widow, Irene. However, Irene Emerson refuses.

April 6, 1846: Dred and Harriet Scott allege that their home in a free state granted them freedom. This petition is filed in the St. Louis County Circuit court.

June 30, 1847: In the case, Scott v. Emerson, the defendant, Irene Emerson wins. The presiding judge, Alexander Hamilton provides Scott with a retrial.

January 12, 1850: At the second trial, the verdict is in Scott's favor.

As a result, Emerson files an appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court.

March 22, 1852 The Missouri Supreme Court reverses the lower court's decision.

Early 1850's: Arba Crane becomes employed by the law office of Roswell Field. Scott is working as a janitor at the office and meets Crane. Crane and Scott decide to take the case to the Supreme Court.

June 29, 1852: Hamilton, who is not only a judge but an abolitionist, denies the petition by the Emerson family attorny to return the Scotts to their owner. At this time, Irene Emerson is living in Massachusetts, a free state.

November 2, 1853: Scott's lawsuit is filed in the United States Circuit Court for Missouri. Scott believes that the federal court is responsible for this case because Scott is suing John Sanford, the new owner of the Scott family.

May 15, 1854: Scott's case is fought in court. The court rules in favor of John Sanford and is appealed to the Supreme Court.

February 11, 1856: The first argument is presented to the United States Supreme Court.

May 1856: Lawrence, Kan. is attacked by proponents of slavery. John Brown kills five men. Senator Charles Sumner, who argued Supreme Court cases with Robert Morris Sr, is beaten by a Southern congressman over Sumner's antislavery statements.

December 15, 1856: The second argument of the case is presented before the Supreme Court.

March 6, 1857: The United States Supreme Court decides that freed African-Americans are not citizens. As a result, they cannot sue in federal court. In addition, enslaved African-Americans are property and as a result, have no rights. In addition, the ruling found that Congress cannot prohibit slavery from spreading into the western territories.

May 1857: Following the controversial trial, Irene Emerson remarried and gave the Scott family to another slave holding family, the Blows. Peter Blow granted the Scott's freedom.

June 1857: Abolitionist and former slave acknowledged the importance of the Dred Scott decision at the anniversary of the American Abolition Society through a speech.

1858: Scott dies of tuberculosis.

1858:Lincoln-Douglas debates begin. Much of the debates focus on the Dred Scott case and its impact on enslavement.

April 1860: Democratic Party splits. Southern delegations leave the convention after their petition to include a national slave code based on Dred Scott is rejected.

November 6, 1860: Lincoln wins election.

March 4, 1861: Lincoln is sworn as president of the United States by Chief Justice Roger Taney. Taney wrote the Dred Scott opinion. Soon after, the Civil War begins.

1997: Dred Scott and Harriet Robinson are inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.