Celia Killed Enslaver Robert Newsom

In 1850, a Missouri slaveholder named Robert Newsom purchased a 14-year-old enslaved girl named Celia after his wife had died the previous year and forced her to serve as his concubine. For years Newsom repeatedly assaulted her. In 1855, Celia killed Newsom in self-defense while trying to stop another assault. She was later convicted of murder by a Missouri court and executed by hanging.

Previous Fact Next Fact