Dred Scott first went to trial in 1847, after ten years his case was finally brought before the United States Supreme Court. The court decided that all people of African ancestry- slaves as well as those who were free-could never become citizens of the U.S and therefore could not sue in federal court. The court also ruled that federal government did not have the power to prohibit slavery in its territories. Dred Scott remained a slave. He migrated westward with his master, Peter Blow.
Peter Blow died two years later. Surgeon Dr. John Emerson, later took Scott to the free state of Illinois. After two and a half years, Emerson moved to a fort in Wisconsin Territory taking Scott. There Scott met and married Harriet Robinson, a slave owned by a local justice of the peace. Scott stayed in Illinois(free state) which gave him legal standing to make claim for freedom. Scott went to trial in June of 1847 but lost because he couldn't prove that he and Harriet were owned by Emerson widow. The following year the Missouri Supreme Court decided that case should be retried. In 1850, the St. Louis circuit court ruled that Scott and his family were free. The decision greatly influenced the nomination of Abraham Lincoln to the Republican Party and his subsequent election.
Peter Blow died two years later. Surgeon Dr. John Emerson, later took Scott to the free state of Illinois. After two and a half years, Emerson moved to a fort in Wisconsin Territory taking Scott. There Scott met and married Harriet Robinson, a slave owned by a local justice of the peace. Scott stayed in Illinois(free state) which gave him legal standing to make claim for freedom. Scott went to trial in June of 1847 but lost because he couldn't prove that he and Harriet were owned by Emerson widow. The following year the Missouri Supreme Court decided that case should be retried. In 1850, the St. Louis circuit court ruled that Scott and his family were free. The decision greatly influenced the nomination of Abraham Lincoln to the Republican Party and his subsequent election.