IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.

DHPA  > Education Programs & Initiatives > Underground Railroad > Underground Railroad Sites in Indiana > Underground Railroad Sites: Knox County Underground Railroad Sites: Knox County

Knox County - 1895Knox County, located in south central Indiana along the Illinois border, was named for Revolutionary War General Henry Knox. Organized in 1790, Knox County is Indiana's oldest. Vincennes, the County Seat of Knox County, was also the capital of the Indiana Territory until it was removed to Corydon in 1812.

Image: Indiana 1895 - Color Landform Atlas/Ray Sterner
Available at: Perry-Castañeda Map Collection - UT Library Online

Lasselle v. State

When Indiana’s capital was still in Corydon, the State Supreme Court met in southern Indiana. In 1820, the court heard the case of Lasselle V State. General Hyacinth Lasselle of Vincennes was sued by his slave Polly for her freedom. Lasselle had purchased Polly’s mother from Native Americans in the area before Indiana had become a territory or state. The Circuit Court of Knox County (in Vincennes) ruled in favor of Laselle, stating that Polly was still a slave. Polly and her lawyers appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court on the basis that when Indiana’s constitution was passed, it had an article in it prohibiting slavery.

The Supreme Court reversed the ruling and set Polly free. This is the first known legal case related to slavery in Indiana.

Stay Connected

You are leaving the IN.gov website. By clicking OK, you will be taken to a website that is not affiliated with the State of Indiana and may have different privacy and security policies. The State of Indiana is not responsible for, and does not endorse, guarantee, or monitor content, availability, viewpoints, products, or services that are offered or expressed on this non IN.gov portal website.