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Cornelius Sinclair (abt. 1813)

Cornelius Sinclair aka St. Clair
Born about in Pennsylvania, United Statesmap
Son of and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
[spouse(s) unknown]
[children unknown]
Died [date unknown] [location unknown]
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Profile last modified | Created 5 Mar 2021
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Contents

Biography

Notables Project
Cornelius Sinclair is Notable.

Cornelius Sinclair was a free child of color kidnapped in Philadelphia in August 1825 by Patty Cannon's gang and sold into slavery. He was later freed by a lawsuit filed on his behalf.[1]


Cornelius Sinclair was born in 1814 to Joseph Sinclair.

Cornelius was taught to read at the Adelphi school by Caleb Kimber Jr.[2]

Kidnapping

Boy Lost

In early August 1825, 10 year old Cornelius Sinclair was kidnapped along with several other children by John Smith.[3][4]

By the end of the month, Cornelius Sinclair and several other victims had been brought to Norfolk, Virginia by the Cannon Johnson gang. The gang was unable to find a slave trader interested in buying their captives at a price they were willing to take, so Ebenezer and Sally Johnson decided to bring their captives to the deep south personally.[5]

The Johnsons marched Cornelius Sinclair and the others overland to a log cabin owned by Ebenezer Johnson near Ashville, Alabama where they remained for about a month to six weeks.[6][3]

James Paul purchased Cornelius Sinclair from Ebenezer F Johnson in October 1825 for $300.[7]

In April 1826, Rev. Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher, rescued Cornelius Sinclair from James Paul.[8]

Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher hired Seth Barton to represent Cornelius.[9]

Because of the difficulties in obtaining a white witness to testify on Cornelius's behalf, the hearing was delayed by six months.[10]

On March 23, 1827, Adam Traquair appeared as a white witness in Cornelius Sinclair's petition for freedom to identify him as the free boy he knew in Philadelphia thereby gaining Cornelius his freedom by unanimous decision of the jury. A few days later, the two of them boarded a ship to Philadelphia.[11]

On June 13 1827 and again on June 16, Cornelius Sinclair testified in the trial of John Purnell (one of only two members of the Cannon Johnson Gang to be tried) identifying him as the "John Smith" who kidnapped him and helping assure Purnell's conviction.

Over a year later, Cornelius Sinclair testified again, this time against Thomas Collins (the other gang member who was tried) and he too was convicted.[12]

Later Life

In 1838, Cornelius Sinclair opened a savings account.[13] That's about all we know, but at least he had enough money to start saving.

Description

  • "about ten years old of light black colour, and can read and write"[14]
  • a stoutly built mixed-race lad with "thin long fingers" and a "left eye smaller than the right"[15]

Timeline

WhenAgeWho and WhatWhere
1813Cornelius Sinclair born to Joseph Sinclair
10 Aug 1825[3][6]10John Smith captured Samuel Scomp, Joe Johnson, and Cornelius Sinclair and brought them to the Little John[3][6][4]Philadelphia[3][6][4], Pennsylvania
10 Aug 1825[3][6]10Joseph Johnson, John Smith, Bill Paragee, and Thomas Collins set sail on the Little John with Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, and Cornelius Sinclair on board[3][6][16]Philadelphia[3][6][16], Pennsylvania
12 Aug 1825[3][17]10The Little John landed and Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, and Cornelius Sinclair were marched through marshes, corn fields, and brushwood by Joseph Johnson and John Smith to Joseph Johnson's house where they were confined in a garret in irons[3][17]Millsboro[17], Delaware
14 Aug 1825[3][18]10Jesse Cannon and Ebenezer F Johnson Jr relocated Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, and Cornelius Sinclair to Jesse Cannon's house[3][18]Delaware/Maryland line[3][18]
16 Aug 1825[3][19]10John Smith drove a wagon to a larger sloop with Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, Cornelius Sinclair, Mary Fisher, and Mary Neal; Jesse Cannon, Ebenezer, and Sally Johnson followed in a gig. The new larger sloop was commanded by Robert Dunn[3][19]Nanticoke[19], Maryland
25 Aug 1825[20]10Robert Dunn docked the sloop with Ebenezer and Sally Johnson, Jesse Cannon, Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, Cornelius Sinclair, Mary Fisher, and Mary Neal[20]Norfolk[20], Virginia
11Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alexander Manlove, Joe Johnson, Cornelius Sinclair, Mary Fisher, and Mary Neal were marched overland by Ebenezer and Sally Johnson[3]through Alabama[3]
Oct 1825[21]10Ebenezer F Johnson sold Cornelius Sinclair to James Paul for $300[21]Tuscaloosa[21], Alabama
17 Apr 1826[22]11Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher, rescued Cornelius Sinclair from James Paul[22]Tuscaloosa[22], Alabama
Apr 1826[9]11Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher wrote to Joseph Watson that the felt they had sufficient depositions to satisfy a judge[9]Tuscaloosa[9], Alabama
24 Apr 1826[23]11Cornelius Sinclair's Petition for Freedom submitted to the Circuit Court[23]Tuscaloosa[23], Alabama
29 Apr 1826[24]11Dennis Dent posted a $1,000 bond so that Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher could sue for Cornelius Sinclair's freedom[24]Tuscaloosa[24], Alabama
3 Jul 1826[25]11Joseph Watson wrote to John Henderson that Samuel Scomp, Enos Tilghman, and Alexander Manlove had arrived safely and that Cornelius Sinclair had been located[25]Philadelphia[25], Pennsylvania
27 Jul 1826[26]11The County Clerk issued a summons for James Paul to appear before the court in October regarding the Cornelius Sinclair case[26]Tuscaloosa Co.[26], Alabama
1 Aug 1826[26]11Sheriff Hiram Cochran delivered the summons for James Paul to appear in the Cornelius Sinclair case[26]Tuscaloosa Co.[26], Alabama
12Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher hired Seth Barton to represent Cornelius Sinclair[9]Tuscaloosa Co.[9], Alabama
11Seth Barton filed a motion to delay the Cornelius Sinclair case 6 months while Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher wrote to Joseph Watson that they needed a white witness who could identify Cornelius Sinclair; this letter got lost in the mail[10]Tuscaloosa Co.[10], Alabama
Early 1827[10]12Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher realized that their letter to Joseph Watson about Cornelius Sinclair must not have arrived, so they wrote him again[10]Tuscaloosa Co.[10], Alabama
9 Feb 1827[10]12Robert L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher's letter to Joseph Watson about Cornelius Sinclair arrived[10]Philadelphia[10], Pennsylvania
23 Mar 1827[27]12 Justice of the Peace John Gayle heard Cornelius Sinclair's Petition for Freedom and Adam Traquair appeared as a white witness to identify him as the free boy he knew in Philadelphia thereby gaining Cornelius his freedom[27]Tuskaloosa[27], Alabama
23 Mar 1827[28]12Robert L Kennon and Joshua Boucher wrote a letter to Joseph Watson noting the successful liberation of Cornelius Sinclair and describing another case regarding Jacob Simons[28]Tuskaloosa[28], Alabama
about 26 Mar 1827[27]12Adam Traquair and Cornelius Sinclair boarded a ship to Philadelpha[27]Tuskaloosa[27], Alabama
13 Jun 1827[29][30]12John Purnell was positively identified by Samuel Scomp, Alexander Manlove, Enos Tilghman, and Cornelius Sinclair in his trial.[29] The Jury acquitted John Purnell on a technicality because the kidnappings took place just outside the city's legal boundary[30]Philadelphia[29][30], Pennsylvania
16 Jun 1827[30]12John Purnell was again positively identified by Samuel Scomp, Alexander Manlove, Enos Tilghman, and Cornelius Sinclair in county court. This time he was convicted before Judge Edward King[30]Philadelphia[30], Pennsylvania
7 Oct 1828[31]13Thomas Collins tried for kidnapping. Samuel Scomp, Cornelius Sinclair, Alexander Manlove, Enos Tilghman, and Sarah Nicholson testified against him. Judge Edward King sentenced him to a maximum sentence of hard labor[31][12]Philadelphia[31], Pennsylvania
1837[13]22Cornelius Sinclair opened an account at the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society[13]Philadelphia[13], Pennsylvania

Slave Owners

Sources

  1. ↑ Wikipedia: Cornelius Sinclair
  2. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 27-28. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 Narrative of Samuel Scomp, June 30, 1826
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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.
  5. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 84-86. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Letter from John Henderson to Joseph Watson, January 2, 1826
  7. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 100-101. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  8. ↑ Paul v Kennon, Records and Minutes, Common Law, 1826-1827, Tuscaloosa City, Cir. Ct., at 388 (available at the Tuscaloosa Courthouse)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 171. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 172. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  11. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 175-181. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Medairy, Bernard John. The Notorious Patty Cannon and Her Gang of Kidnappers on the Eastern Shore. Towson, MD: B. Medairy, 1995. excerpt
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 229. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  14. ↑ Letter from John Henderson to Joseph Watson, January 2, 1826
  15. ↑ Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 168. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 47. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 50. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 62. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 79. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 82-84. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 100-101. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Paul v Kennon, Records and Minutes, Common Law, 1826-1827, Tuscaloosa City, Cir. Ct., at 388 (available at the Tuscaloosa Courthouse)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Crump, J. E., & Brophy, A. L. (2017). Twenty-One Months a Slave: Cornelius Sinclair's Odyssey. Mississippi Law Journal, 86(3), 457–512. https://blurblawg.typepad.com/files/cornelius-sinclair.pdf
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 169-70. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Letter from John Henderson to Joseph Watson, September 6, 1826
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 170-71. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 175-181. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Letter from R. L. Kennon and Joshua Boucher to Joseph Watson, March 23, 1827
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 United States Gazette, June 19, 1827
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 194-96. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Bell, Richard. Essay. In Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, 200. New York, NY: 37 INK, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2020.

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Images: 5
Enos Tilghman Image 1
Enos Tilghman Image 1
Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama, Page 1
Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama, Page 1
Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama, Page 2
Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama, Page 2
Boy Lost
Boy Lost
Mayor's Proclamation, June 17, 1828
Mayor's Proclamation, June 17, 1828


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