Corydon in Harrison County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Polly Strong Slavery Case

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018

1. Polly Strong Slavery Case Marker

Inscription. Polly Strong was born into slavery circa 1796 in the Northwest Territory. Vincennes innkeeper Hyacinthe Lasselle purchased her circa 1806. Although the 1816 Indiana Constitution prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude, in 1820, Strong and attorney Amory Kinney had to pursue her freedom in the Knox County Circuit Court. This Court ruled that Strong remained enslaved.

Strong appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court in Corydon which ruled in State v. Lasselle, July 22, 1820: “slavery can have no existence” in Indiana. This decision did not free remaining slaves in Indiana; it did establish 1816 Indiana Constitution as the authority for decisions in Indiana courts regarding slavery and involuntary servitude, including 1821 Mary Clark case.

Erected 2016 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Harrison County Committee for the Indiana Bicentennial, and Leora Brown School. (Marker Number 31.2016.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1820.

Location. 38° 12.709′ N, 86° 7.554′ W. Marker is in Corydon, Indiana, in Harrison County. It is

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on Old Hwy 135 (Indiana Route 337), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corydon IN 47112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Downtown Corydon (a few steps from this marker); World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Harrison County (a few steps from this marker); World War I (a few steps from this marker); In Honor Of The Men from Harrison County (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Corydon (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named World War I (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated In Everlasting Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corydon.

Polly Strong Slavery Case Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018

2. Polly Strong Slavery Case Marker Reverse

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018

3. Polly Strong Slavery Case Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018

4. Polly Strong Slavery Case Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,066 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.