The 19th century courts were used by enslaved persons, sometimes successfully, to gain their freedom. One case, in the 1850's, involved 'Matilda'.
The significance (if you happen to be a descendent)is that she 'won' her case in a southern court. In addition, her former and current slaveholders were identified, as well as her family (children) and birthplace.

I found Matilda's children in the 1870 census, still living in the same county. There was no sign of Matilda, who would have been about 50 years old in 1870.

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