Suing for Freedom

— Downtown African-American Heritage Trail —

This site was once the law office of prominent national politician Henry Clay. In the early 19th century, one of his enslaved, Charlotte Dupuy (do-pea), sued Clay for the freedom of herself and her children.

A previous owner had promised to free Charlotte "upon the condition of long & faithful services." When his family moved to Lexington, Charlotte married Aaron Dupuy, an enslaved man on Clay's Ashland estate. They asked the Clay family to buy her so Charlotte and Aaron would not be separated-a fear of all enslaved couples.

When Clay served as Secretary of State, the Dupuys enjoyed relative freedom living in Washington, D.C. Charlotte knew that returning to Kentucky would mean enslavement for her family.

Fighting for her family
In 1829, citing her previous owner's promise, Charlotte sued Clay for her family's freedom. She was allowed to work for wages in D.C. for 18 months until her lawsuit was denied Clay, "the Great Compromiser," showed no willingness to compromise where Charlotte was concerned. He did not grant
her and her daughter, Mary Anne, freedom until 1840 and her son, Charles, until 1844. Her husband Aaron was freed by 1852.

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Henry Clay's Law Office
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