On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, extending freedom to those enslaved within states rebelling against the Union.  Soon thereafter, nearly 200,000 African Americans enlisted in the fight to free millions from slavery.

“That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;…”  Abraham Lincoln

Where was Pelagie on this day in history?  She was at home in the Amoureux House with her family, most likely enjoying this momentous day.  As a “free woman of color” Pelagie had certain legal rights, but she was always at risk of being kidnapped back into slavery.

The Emancipation Proclamation hadn’t freed those still enslaved in Missouri, but freedom for all was on its way.

180 years ago today, on June 11, 1832, Pelagie and her sixteen month old son Felix, both born into slavery, are declared free!

Emancipation document of Pelagie and Felix 

This document reads:

Know all men by these present, that I, Felicite Beauvais, of the Town and County of Ste. Genevieve, State of Missouri, Widow, for divers good and sufficient consideration moving me thereto, have emancipated and set free, and from and after the date of these present, do emancipate and forever make and set free, my mulatto woman and heretofore my slave, named Pelagie, aged about twenty six years, and also her son named Felix, aged about sixteen months; hereby releasing the said Pelagie and Felix from all bondage and services due from them to me, my heirs, executors and administrators, and all and every other person wherein soever, the same as if the said Pelagie and Felix had never been slaves.

Testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal, this 11^th day of June A.D. 1832.

Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of,

Felix Valle

Bmy Duroches                                               Felicet Beauvais      (seal)

(Bartholomew Durocher)                                      (Felicite)