|
Slave Ownership in D.C. in War Days Again Interests Rambler By the Rambler, The Evening Star, May 29, 1927, pt. 5, p. 2
President Lincoln, April 16, 1862, signed the act of Congress freeing negro slaves in the District of Columbia and directing payment to the slaves’ owners. A commission, the Emancipation Commission, was named, and with that commission slave owners in the city and county of Washington filed their statement of the number of slaves, the slaves’ names and their value. The commission set the sum to be paid the slave owners. In last Sunday’s ramble was a long list of District slave owners, but that list did not give the names of all slave owners in the District. The Rambler hands you another list, and this does not end the names of persons in the city and county of Washington who owned slaves in 1862. It follows: (NOTE: Names have been reordered to display alphabetically.)
Violet A. Abell, executrix, 5; The names of the slaves of the sisters were Ignatius, Mary Elizabeth, Mary, Charles, Ignatius, jr.; Jane, Develia and Josephine Tilghman, Benjamin Maheney, Francis Weldon and Josephine Dixon.
John A. Smith, 14; George Washington Young of Nonesuch and Gisborough, having his home at Gisborough in 1862, owned more slaves than any other man or woman in the District. So far as the Rambler has gone in the matter, the person second to George Washington Young in the number of slaves was Margaret C. Barber, who owned 33. The Rambler is so ignorant that he does not know who Margaret Barber was, nor where in the District she lived.
Anna C. Watson, 1; If you are of an old District family it is likely that you saw the name of one of your kin in the list of District slave owners. Some of you have told the neighbors that your grandfather was a large slave holder, and it shocks you to read that he owned but one or two. The figures are for 1862, and it may have been 1852 or 1859 that your grandfather owned a legion of slaves. He Rambler hopes you will wipe your glasses, refill the pipe and read a few news antiques from The Evening Star of 1862. This is from The Star, Wednesday, May 21, 1862: “Mr. Edward P. Weston, the well known pedestrian whose proposal to walk from this city to Boston – 478 miles – in eight consecutive days, has made considerable talk, entered upon his undertaking on Monday last, leaving the Capitol Building at 5:30 p.m., being 30 minutes beyond his proposed starting time, 5 p.m. He reached Beltsville at a quarter before 8 p.m., took supper there, and when seven miles from Baltimore partook of some more refreshments and arrived at the Eutaw House, Baltimore, at 3 a.m. of Tuesday, precisely on schedule time. Mr. C.J. Eaton, who accompanied the pedestrian in a carriage from this city, informs us that Mr. Weston made the last 10 miles in better time than any other portion of the distance and arrived in Baltimore perfectly fresh. In fact, his pace was so good that Mr. Eaton was compelled to put his horses on the trot to keep up with him. At 12 m. yesterday Mr. Weston resumed his task, and considerable interest is felt in the result of his movement upon Philadelphia, as he undertakes the remarkable feat of walking the entire distance in 24 consecutive hours, including all stops.” The Canterbury was drawing crowds in the Spring of 1862, and Dick Parker was a comedian in the Canterbury troupe. The Rambler takes this advertisement from The Star of May 12, 1862: “Complimentary Benefit to Dick Parker: “Richard Parker, Esq., Dear Sir: We the undersigned desire from reasons which we will mention, to tender you a complimentary benefit. Your career as an artist in your profession in this city has rendered you popular beyond most performers who have visited us, and your quiet, gentlemanly demeanor has gained for you hosts of friends and admirers, who would be pleased to testify to you in a suitable manner their appreciation of your worth. “Your conduct in our city has been a model to the members of your profession, and in any capacity could not do otherwise than make you friends. In this connection we cannot do otherwise than express our appreciation of Messrs. Percival & Co. (managers of the Canterbury) for affording us a popular style of amusement.” (Signed) Ostheim Bros., Fred M. Houghton, R.S.W. Dunham, M. Arnold, P. Lichau, P. Franklin Jones, W. McKenny, George T. Dickinson, W.H. Frinck, Henry E. Merrick, W.H. Ottman, Cyrus Bradle, F. enney, Lem Short, Hermann Myer, Meyer Wettzens, sr.; W.E. Ketcham, H. Lichau, N. Jones, John C. Ray, J.M. Hamistow, George W. McKenney, E.C. George, Peter L. Ottman, Byron A. Giberson, J.B. Proctor, J.B. Whittier and Joseph F. Cozinns. Dick Parker replied through The Star, thanked the signers for their regard for his talent and suggested that the benefit be given Friday evening, May 23, 1862. * * * * * This was a news story in The Star, Saturday, May 24, 1862: May 27, 1862: “New Steamer to Alexandria – By the advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that the traveling facilities between Washington and Alexandria are to be increased satisfactorily, as the fine steamer Young America has arrived, and is to be commanded by Capt. E.A. Ryther, a gentleman known to everybody and experienced in steamboating, and who knows how to accommodate the public to a nicety.” “Nuisance—Near the old paper Mill Bridge on the road from Kalorama to Georgetown there are two or three slaughter houses, the stench from which has become intolerable and caused complaints from residents of the neighborhood.” “Property sale—W.S. Holliday has sold at private sale Col. William Selden’s farm a short distance beyond Columbian College, on Fourteenth street, 76 acres, for $10,000. Purchaser, S. Phillips Brown, Navy agent.” This was in The Star, Friday, May 30, 1862: “The Government finds them in rations of bread, meat, coffee, rice, etc., of the same quality as the Army ration, but not with clothing that being procured by subscription. The National Freedmen’s Relief Association find most of the material, which is cut and made into garments by such of the female contrabands as can sew. Their bedding is mostly found by themselves, some of them when they arrived in the city bringing surprising quantities of bedding and clothing with them with a straw bed. “In the quarters a school is conducted by Messrs. S.L. Storer (?) and James Marshall, who instruct them in the primary branches of education. They are said to make quite rapid progress and some are already reading with proficiency. About 200 of the contrabands attend the school and are mostly supplied with books from parties in the North who send packages almost weekly. Besides teaching this school, Messrs Sharer (?) and Marshall give a lesson to 12 or 15 contrabands at the navy yard at noon each day. The studies pursued are reading, writing, arithmetic and geography, in which studies they are making unexpected progress. Many of them are anxious to emigrate to Liberia, especially those who are the most advanced, they not believing in the doctrine that the white and blacks can live peaceably on an equality with each other in this country. “Preaching services are held twice each Sabbath, Messrs. Marshall and Sharer with ministers of the various evangelical denominations at times officiating. Bishop Payne (colored) of the African M.E. Church, Prof. Dwight of New York and Prof. Cromwell of Liberia have lately conducted services for them. The contrabands take a great interest in the services and three times a week or oftener they hold prayer meetings among themselves. “The Government employs many of he contrabands, drawing requisitions for gangs of them daily and working them about the stables, hospitals and other places. Quite a number have gone to live with their families in this city and it is believed that they generally give satisfaction, although most of them, even the women, are field hands. Persons wishing to make use of their services can procure them by proving to the superintendent, Mr. Duvall, that they are loyal persons, after which they can select such as they think will suit them. The number is constantly on the increase.” On July 4, 1862, the Sunday school of Union Chapel “spent the day in Mrs. McCall’s woods near Kalorama,” the Sabbath schools of the Bridge Street Presbyterian and the Methodist churches of Georgetown “celebrated he day in Mrs. John H. King’s woods in an appropriate manner,” and McKendree Chapel Sabbath school and “the children of St. Aloysius School picnicked in Berry’s woods.: The Star said that “fireworks were sent up from the Smithsonian, Canterbury and several other places.” * * * * * Parson Brownlow of Tennessee July 1, 1862, lectured at Ford’s Atheneum “to a densely crowded audience of the most distinguished citizens of Washington, and at the close of his lecture three rousing cheers were given for the speaker, for Tennessee and for the Stars and Stripes.” The Star said July 11, 1862: “The sick and wounded soldiers of McClellan’s Army on the Peninsula, especially those remote from post hospitals and hospital boats, are absolutely suffering for needed supplies and for suitable necessaries and delicacies. Mrs. Harlan, wife of the Senator from Iowa, has just returned from the scenes of misery and gives a most heartrending account of he scenes she has witnessed. Liberty Hall, Alexandria, Va., was opened Monday, July 11, 1862, “under the management of Percival, Parker & Co., with a mammoth company from the Washington Canterbury.” Advertisement in The Star, July 12, 1862: “Varieties—This new place of amusement is now open and has upon its boards some of the best performers to be found. Sixth street, two doors from the Avenue. Admittance, 10 cents. H.C. Purdy, proprietor.” In the commencement of the Maryland Agricultural College, July 11, 1862, students taking part were Eugene Calvert, John S. Gittings, Rudolph Hitz, Addison Randall, Charles B. Calvert, jr.; William P. Turpin, William H. Wallis, C. Newman and S.D. Hall. The graduates were W.B. Sands and Thomas Franklin. Rev. Dr. Pinkney spoke to the students. There was “grand ball” at night. Advertisement in The Star, July 16, 1862: “Notice is given to the general public and military officers that a coach will leave the Accommodation Carriage Stand, corner of Fourteenth and the Avenue, every day in the season for Columbian College and Lispenard Hospitals and back, every second hour from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ladies and gentlemen should not forget visiting the Union wounded. Fare only 25 cents. G.W. Bennett, proprietor.” July 21, 1862: “Maison d’Oree—An enterprising gentleman has recently fitted up the double house, 402 Thirteenth street, between G and H streets, as a clubhouse after the most approved London and New York fashion. It is called after the celebrated similar establishment in New York, the Maison d’Oree, of which it is a worthy representative in the National Capital. Its cuisine is in the hands of Began, so long known here as a cook without a superior. He, of course, gets up unapproachable feeds.” Monday, August 11, 1862: “John H. Moulden, A.S. Grimes, B. Edelin, R.S. Brooks, George Anderson, William H. Marlow, F.S. Sheetz and Lewis Jackson were arrested on Saturday by Officers Simpson and Marker for driving over the Navy Yard Bridge faster than a walk. Justice Cull fined them $3.58 apiece. This will serve as a warning to other violators of a well known law.” “Gaities: On Monday night (August 18, 1862), the doors of Temperance Hall will be thrown open by an excellent corps of vocalists, dancers, delineators, comedians and pantomimists under the leadership and management of the inimitable Sam Sharpley, Marietta Ravel, Zanfretta, Eva Brent, Fanny Ellison and other favorites will appear in the list.” I see by The Star of July 1, 1862, that in a communication to the Board of Aldermen the following nominations are proposed: Randolph Coyle for water registrar; Henry C. Kleiber, messenger to the mayor; James Burrows and William Nelson, commissioners of the West Burial Ground; John W. Martin, inspector of fire apparatus, and Samuel Ourand, chief of police. |