Missouri History: Celia’s Story, Marla A. Jackson

This quilt tells the story of a young woman named Celia who was forced into slavery at age 14 by the Newsom family near Fulton, Missouri. Between 1850 and 1855, Celia became pregnant several times as a result of repeated sexual assaults by the slave owner Robert Newsom. One night in June 1855, Celia attacked Newsom to prevent another assault. Newsom died and Celia was brought to trial. Celia was tried by a 12-person, all-white, all-male jury, and her plea of self-defense did not prevail. She was sentenced to death by hanging, and was killed in December 1855.