Charlotte Dupuy
Title
Charlotte Dupuy
Description
Charlotte Dupuy was an enslaved African American woman owned by Congressman and Secretary of State Henry Clay. Clay, with Dupuy and her family, lived in Lafayette Square, just north of the White House. In 1829, Dupuy sued Clay for her freedom and the freedom of her children. The circuit court decided against Dupuy, and she was forcibly removed to Clay's Kentucky estate.
Creator
Source
National Archives, digitized by White House Historical Association. View original document.
Coverage
First Name
Charlotte
Last Name
Dupuy
Birth Date
c.1787
Birthplace
Cambridge, Maryland
Death Date
c.1866
Biographical Text
Charlotte Dupuy was born into slavery. In 1806, she was purchased by Henry Clay after marrying a man enslaved on his plantation. When Clay was elected to Congress, Dupuy and her family moved with him to Washington DC, residing at Decatur House on Lafayette Square.
In 1829, Dupuy sued Clay, then Secretary of State, for her freedom and the freedom of her children. As Clay's tenure in Washington ended before the case was decided, Dupuy remained at Decatur House, employed by the new Secretary of State, Martin van Buren.
In 1830, the US Circuit Court for the District of Columbia decided against Dupuy and she was forcibly removed to Clay's Kentucky estate. Clay freed Dupuy and her daughter in 1840, and she lived out the rest of her life as a free woman in Kentucky.
In 1829, Dupuy sued Clay, then Secretary of State, for her freedom and the freedom of her children. As Clay's tenure in Washington ended before the case was decided, Dupuy remained at Decatur House, employed by the new Secretary of State, Martin van Buren.
In 1830, the US Circuit Court for the District of Columbia decided against Dupuy and she was forcibly removed to Clay's Kentucky estate. Clay freed Dupuy and her daughter in 1840, and she lived out the rest of her life as a free woman in Kentucky.