Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi, 1800-1850

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This book tells the stories of four Black women—Mariah, Patsey, Courtney, and Rachel—who were born into slavery and ultimately gained their freedom. All four lived in Prairie du Chien at different times, where their lives intersected over five years. They were influenced by Marianne Labuche, a free Black woman who likely inspired their quests for freedom. Mariah purchased her freedom, Patsey achieved it through persistence after her enslavers' deaths, while Courtney and Rachel won their freedom through legal suits after moving with their enslavers to Missouri. The legal precedent established in Courtney's case later aided Dred and Harriet Scott in their freedom petition. Mary Antoine meticulously reconstructs the women's lives using diverse sources, including records from their enslavers, legal documents of their births and marriages, and court case transcripts. By focusing on these women's experiences, the book delves into the history of slavery in Wisconsin, highlighting its persistence into the 1800s despite being illegal. Against significant odds, these four women found freedom, supported by the community in Prairie du Chien.