Timeline of Events
Birth of Dred Scott
Samuel "Dred" Scott was born in Southampton VA
1795
Dred Scott is sold to John Emerson, a United States army physician
Dred Scott sold to John Emerson
1832
Emerson had moved to the free state of Illinois and takes Scott with him.
The Move to Illinois
1834
Emerson dies
1843
John Emerson dies, and shortly following his death, Dred Scott attempts to purchase his freedom from Emerson's widow, Irene. However, she refuses.
April 6, 1846 - January 12, 1850
The Trials
Dred and his wife Harriet Scott file their first petition in the St. Louis County Circuit Court. They alleged that their home in a free state granted them freedom. The defendant, Irene Emerson had won the case. The presiding judge Alexander Hamilton provides Scott with a retrial. Scott then proceeds to win the second trial. As a result, Emerson filed an appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court.
Supreme Court
February 11, 1856 - March 6, 1857
After losing the case at the Missouri Supreme Court, Dred Scott appeals for the United States Supreme Court. The first argument is presented on February 11, 1856, and the second argument is presented on December 15, 1856. The final decision was made on March 6, 1857.
Supreme Court Decision
March 6, 1857
The United States Supreme Court makes its final decision on the case, and rules that freed African-Americans are not citizens. Thus, they cannot sue in federal court. It also ruled that enslaved African-Americans are property and as a result, do not have any rights. The ruling also found that Congress cannot prohibit slavery from spreading into the western territories.
1857 - 1858
Aftermath
Following the controversial and revolutionary decision made by the Supreme Court, Irene Emmerson remarried and gave the Scott family to the Blows. Peter Blow granted the Scotts their freedom in May 1857. However, his freedom is short-lived as Dred Scott dies of tuberculosis in 1858. The Dred Scott case had been the center of attention in America for several years during and following the case. It was taken into account in many political debates following it, including the Lincoln-Douglas debate, and even during the splitting of the Democratic Party.
November 6, 1860
Lincoln and the Start of the Civil War
Abraham Lincoln wins the presidential election on November 6, 1860. He is sworn in as president by Chief Justice Roger Taney. Taney had written the Dred Scott opinion. Soon after, the Civil War begins.
1997
St. Louis Walk of Fame
Dred Scott and Harriet Robinson are inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.