William Gillis purchased a man named Alexis (31 years old, mulatto) from an enslaver in Illinois for a term through May 1, 1842. Gillis says that Alexis “faithfully served me as a servant until the time of his servitude for which I purchased him expired,” and releases him and discharges him, and “as far as I am concerned set said negro at perfect liberty, as though he had been born free.”