Mary Bateman Clark

Mary Bateman Clark (1795–1840) was an American woman, born into slavery, who was taken to Indiana Territory. She was forced to become an indentured servant, even though the Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery. She was sold in 1816, the same year that the Constitution of Indiana prohibited slavery and indentured servitude. In 1821, attorney Amory Kinney represented her as she fought for her freedom in the courts. After losing the case in the Circuit Court, she appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court in the case of Mary Clark v. G.W. Johnston. She won her freedom with the precedent-setting decision against indentured servitude in Indiana. The documentary, Mary Bateman Clark: A Woman of Colour and Courage, tells the story of her life and fight for freedom.

Background

Beginning in the 16th century, the present-day state of Indiana was part of New France (1534–1763), under which slavery was legal. Slavery was practiced by the French, Native Americans, and their allies. For instance, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle traveled through the area with a Shawnee slave. Native American and Black enslaved people were bought and sold in slave markets in New Orleans and Canada. Even though the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 banned slavery, most of the African Americans were enslaved, some were indentured servants. Samuel Clark had also come from Kentucky as an enslaved person. Although Vincennes was the first black community in the state, the marker is the only state memorial in the town.