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John W Hamilton (abt. 1790)

John W Hamilton
Born about in Mississippi, United Statesmap [uncertain]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
[spouse(s) unknown]
[children unknown]
Died [date unknown] [location unknown]
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Profile last modified | Created 16 May 2021
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Biography

The Birth Date is a rough estimate. See the text for details.

Birthdate is simply to get him in the right era. It has no basis in research.

In late December 1825, John W Hamilton received a surprise visit from Ebenezer F Johnson Jr who arrived at his house with Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Mary Fisher, Mary Neal, and the body of Joe Johnson.[1]

They buried the body of Joe Johnson in a shallow grave on his property after Ebenezer Johnson explained that he'd died of natural causes and agreed that they would discuss the purchase of some of the other slaves the next day.[2]

The next morning, Samuel Scomp revealed the true nature of the situation, namely that they were all kidnapped free people of color stolen from Philadelphia. Hamilton was alarmed by this story and called two Justices of the Peace (William Miner and Jack Gee). the justices of the Peace considered the situation and ultimately left them in the care of John W Hamilton until Ebenezer F Johnson Jr could prove the correctness of his title.[1][3]

Before leaving the area, Ebenezer F Johnson hired a lawyer to sue John W Hamilton for possession of "his" slaves.[4]

In mid February, John W Hamilton brought Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, and Mary Fisher with him to court in response to the lawsuit. Judge Peter Van Dorn dismissed Ebenezer F Johnson's suit and ruled that "the property of negroes heretofore referred to must remain in the possession of the defendant"[5]

Even with this settlement, John W Hamilton was uncomfortable with releasing his wards until early May at which time he brought the boys with him to Natchez and put them on a Steamboat for New Orleans.[6] Mary Fisher was unwilling to travel by sea and asked to remain behind until transport by land could be arranged. John W Hamilton agreed that she would be treated as a free woman.[7]

At the end of June, John W Hamilton left for Tennessee[8] and within days, Mary Fisher began complaining to John Henderson about poor treatment from John W Hamilton's overseer.[8]

The next day his overseeer severely whipped Mary Fisher for refusing to work. John Henderson paid the overseer "the expenses Mr. Hamilton had sustained on her account" in order to get her out into safety and she was gone long before his return.[8]

Timeline

WhenAgeWho and WhatWhere
27 Dec 1825[1]Ebenezer F Johnson Jr arrived at the house of John W Hamilton with Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Mary Fisher, Mary Neal, and Joe Johnson's body[1]Rocky Spring[1], Mississippi
28 Dec 1825[1]Samuel Scomp told John W Hamilton that he, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, and Mary Fisher were stolen from Philadelphia. John W Hamilton called two Justices of the Peace (William Miner and Jack Gee) who left them in the care of John W Hamilton until Ebenezer F Johnson Jr could prove the correctness of his title.[1][3][9]Rocky Spring[1][3], Mississippi
29 Dec 1825[4]Ebenezer F Johnson hired Robert Garland to sue John W Hamilton[4]Vicksburg[4], Mississippi
3 Feb 1826[5]Robert Garland filed a writ in Ebenezer F Johnson's lawsuit against John W Hamilton[5]Port Gibson[5], Claiborne Co., Mississippi
13-14 Feb 1826[5]John W Hamilton brought Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, and Mary Fisher with him to court in response to Ebenezer F Johnson. Robert Garland represented Ebenezer F Johnson and John W Hamilton was represented by John Maury. Judge Peter Van Dorn dismissed Ebenezer F Johnson's suit and ruled that "the property of negroes heretofore referred to must remain in the possession of the defendant"[5]Port Gibson[5], Claiborne Co., Mississippi
24 Feb 1826[10]Joseph Watson sent a letter to John W Hamilton[10]Philadelphia[10], Pennsylvania
10 Mar 1826[11]Joseph Watson sent a letter to John W Hamilton and John Henderson including a number of documents from the Grand Jury indictment[11]Philadelphia[11], Pennsylvania
15 Mar 1826[12]Joseph Watson sent a letter to John W Hamilton and John Henderson[12]Philadelphia[12], Pennsylvania
5 Apr 1826[6]John Henderson wrote Joseph Watson that John W Hamilton was hesitant about surrendering Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, and Mary Fisher[6]Rocky Spring[6], Mississippi
7 May 1826[6]John W Hamilton told John Henderson that he was ready to release Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, and Mary Fisher without needing to be indemnified[6]Rocky Spring[6], Mississippi
8 May 1826[6]John Henderson wrote a letter to Joseph Watson informing him that John W Hamilton was ready to give up Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, and Mary Fisher[6]Rocky Spring[6], Mississippi
9 May 1826[6]John W Hamilton left for Natchez with Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, and Alexander Manlove[6]Rocky Spring[6], Mississippi
26 May 1826[7]Richard Stockton wrote a letter to Joseph Watson that Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, and Alexander Manlove would be on their way to New Orleans, but that Mary Fisher was unwilling to travel by sea and would be remaining in the possession of John W Hamilton, but would be treated as a free woman[7]Natchez[7], Adams Co., Mississippi
John W Hamilton put Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, and Alexander Manlove on a Steamboat for New Orleans to the care of Benjamin Morgan[6][3]Natchez[6][3], Adams Co., Mississippi
22 Jun 1826[8]John W Hamilton left for Tennessee[8]Rocky Spring[8], Mississippi
25 Jun 1826[8]Mary Fisher began complaining to John Henderson about poor treatment from John W Hamilton's overseer[8]Rocky Spring[8], Mississippi
26 Jun 1826[8] John W Hamilton's overseeer severely whipped Mary Fisher for refusing to work. John Henderson paid the overseer "the expenses Mr. Hamilton had sustained on her account" in order to get her out of the situation and sent her to Benjamin Morgan[8]Rocky Spring[8], Mississippi
6 Sep 1826[8]John Henderson sent a letter to Joseph Watson informing him of the poor treatment that Mary Fisher had received after remaining in John W Hamilton's care[8]Rocky Spring[8], Mississippi
5 May 1827[13]Joseph Watson wrote a letter to John Henderson and J. W. Hamilton concerning a gift given to them in reward for their services in recovering Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, and Mary Fisher[13]Philadelphia[13], Pennsylvania

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Letter from John Henderson to Joseph Watson, January 2, 1826
  2. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 120. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Narrative of Samuel Scomp, June 30, 1826
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 124. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 134. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 Letter from John Henderson to Joseph Watson, May 8, 1826
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Letter from Richard Stockton to Joseph Watson, May 26, 1826
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 Letter from John Henderson to Joseph Watson, September 6, 1826
  9. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 16. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Letter from Joseph Watson to J. W. Hamilton, February 24, 1826
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Letter from Joseph Watson to J. W. Hamilton and John Henderson, March 10, 1826
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Letter from Joseph Watson to J. W. Hamilton and John Henderson, March 15, 1826
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Letter from Joseph Watson to John Henderson and J. W. Hamilton, May 5, 1827

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H  >  Hamilton  >  John W Hamilton

Categories: Claiborne County, Mississippi, Slave Owners | Estimated Birth Date