Partial Transcription of Isaac Jackson Journal, 1776

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Maryland -
Surnames/tags: quakers black_heritage

A partial transcription of the journal of Isaac Jackson (1734-1807), a Quaker, in which he describes interviews with Quaker enslavers on the Western shore of Maryland. The volume is organized by the names of individuals that Jackson interviewed, their reasons for enslaving people, and whether they could be persuaded to emancipate them.

See: Journal of Isaac Jackson, 1776 for scans of the full document.

Sandy Spring Meeting

"Old James Brooke has above 20 but gives no satisfaction in any respect about his slaves nor anything else he is of such a sullen disposition."

"Basil Brooke has 13 Twelve of which he manumitted the other being old, he appeared well disposed not only to release him, but do well by him in future. His wife shewed a good disposition & heartily joined him therein."

"Thomas Brooke has 6 or 7 he appeared to be convinced that it is wrong to keep them in slavery & some hopes of his releasing them."

"George Robinson has above 12 he dont justify the Practice but gives no encouragement of releasing them."

"Samuel Thomas Jr. has 8 or 9 he was so much indisposed in body it was not suitable to speak to him on the occasion, but his wife signified she had thought little about their freedom."

"Richard Thomas has about 50 he owns it is not right to keep them in slavery, but says he dont see his way clear to do anything towards releasing them. Perhaps interest dims his sight, his wife pretty much of the disposition of her husband, but there is some hopes of some of the children."

"John Thomas has above 40 & seems convinced that it is wrong to keep them in slavery, yet saith he has not as yet seen his way clear to release them, his wife much of the same way of thinking about it."

"Old Samuel Thomas & son Evan has above 30 the old man confesses it is wrong to keep them in Bondage but gives little encouragement of releasing them, but Evan & wife gave us good satisfaction appearing willing to do what they could for their enlargement."

Indian Spring Meeting

"Samuel Snowden & Brother John has about 100 they seem something thoughtful about their being kept as slaves, but not much encouragement of their setting them at liberty very soon if ever."

"Artridge(?) Waters' Widdow has 4 she appears convinced that it is wrong to keep them in slavery, & there is some little hopes of her doing something for their enlargement."

"Margaret Waters the Widdow's daughter has four She appeared in a good disposition, & gave full expectation of releasing them soon."

"Her sister (Gulielma?) has two & appears to be of like disposition with her sister Margaret."

"Jared Hopkins has above 50 he owns it is wrong to keep them as slaves yet signifies he doth not see his way clear to discharge them, his wife not clear sighted about it neither; and there is a Cause."

"Joseph Hopkins, son of Jared, has ten, both he & his wife is well disposed & proposes to release them soon."

"Johns Hopkins has about 40 - both he & his wife appears convinced of inconsistency of keeping them as slaves & seems much concerned about it, but thinks it difficult to release them; perhaps doubtings & reasonings & not being Enough in the Faith is the cause of Difficulties in great measure."

"John Cowman has nine both he & his wife seemed well disposed for their freedom & released them all."