Dred Scott first sought social justice in 1846 when he sued on the district court level after Eliza Emerson refused to allow Scott to purchase his and his family's freedom. Scott was able to afford the court costs by the financial aid of his previous owner's son, Peter Blow. The Scott's were expected to emerge victorious as many other similar cases in Missouri freed the African Americans. But, in June 1847, Scott's suit was dismissed based on the technicality that he had failed to provide a witness to testify that Scott was a slave belonging to Emerson.