Born circa 1801, Mary Clark was purchased in Kentucky in 1814 by B. J. Harrison, brought to Vincennes in 1815, and indentured as his servant. In 1816, G.W. Johnston purchased her indenture for 20 years. In 1821, Clark and attorney Amory Kinney petitioned Knox County Circuit Court to terminate her indenture because she was held illegally “as a slave.” The Circuit Court ruled that Clark had “freely” entered into her indenture and had to complete it, but on appeal the Indiana Supreme Court ruled in November 1821 that her suit proved her service was involuntary and violated Indiana’s 1816 Constitution. The court discharged her from service, and the ruling contributed to the end of indentured servitude in Indiana. Clark died in 1840.
