Belinda and her daughter were awarded the equivalent of $2,500 per year. But here’s the thing: the “Massachusetts General Court” wasn’t a judicial body. It was the name of the state’s legislative body. She had won her reparations by a legislative act. In 1818, Winny sued her enslavers in the Missouri courts. But instead of arguing her slave status, Winny charged her master Phebe Whitesides (Pruitt) with assault and battery and unlawful imprisonment for holding her against her will. Winny contended that since slavery wasn’t allowed in the Missouri Territory or the Northwest Territory, the
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