Jemmy, Jehu Jones and the African American
Experience in Colonial South Carolina
Larry D. Watson
Associate Professor of History
South Carolina State University
Adjunct Faculty, University of South Carolina
South Carolina Social Studies Standards
8-1.4
Explain the growth of the African American population during the
colonial period and the significance of African Americans in the
developing culture (e.g., Gullah) and economy of South Carolina,
including the origins of African American slaves, the growth of the
slave trade, the impact of population imbalance between African and
European Americans, and the Stono Rebellion and subsequent
laws to control the slave population.
3-4.1
Compare the conditions of daily life for various classes of people in
South Carolina, including the elite, the middle class, the lower class,
the independent farmers, and the free and the enslaved African
Americans.
South Carolina Social Studies Standards
4-2.7
Explain how conflicts and cooperation among the Native Americans,
Europeans, and Africans influenced colonial events including the French
and Indian Wars, slave revolts, Native American wars, and trade.
4-3.6
Compare the daily life and roles of diverse groups of Americans
during and after the Revolutionary War, including roles taken by
women and African Americans such as Martha Washington, Mary
Ludwig Hays McCauley (Molly Pitcher), Abigail Adams, Crispus
Attucks, and Peter Salem. (H, P)
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
• Slavery arrived in SC with the first settlers in 1670
• By 1695, the African population numbered approximately 2,000 while
the white population was somewhere between 2 and 4, 000
• Some early concern with security
• In 1697, Mr. Jonathan Amory was paid “out of the public money the
sum of one hundred dollars, for one Negro who was yesterday
condemned to be executed for a public example”
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
Africans as a percentage of SC population
YEAR
1700
1710
1720
1730
1740
1750
1760
1770
%
44
50
64
66
61
61
61
61
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
• Several feeble attempts made to provide some
system of regulation in 1686 and 1687
• In 1690, Governor Seth Sothell worked toward
codification, drawing heavily from the Barbadians
codes
• Specific punishments were prescribed, yet
enforcement was lax
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
• Successful rice cultivation led to a significant increase
in the African population after 1695
• Governor Archdale thus implemented a more
comprehensive code in 1696
• This measure is often referred to as South Carolina’s
first slave code
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
Select slave codes
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•
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Slaves prohibited from leaving plantations without tickets
Slave quarters to be searched once every two weeks
Illegal to trade in stolen goods with slaves
Slaves barred from unregulated use of firearms
Slaves could not go unattended to Charleston on holidays
Prescribed punishment for burglary, murder, arson, robbery
Master liable for crimes committed by slaves
Conspiracy to rebel, mutiny or actual rebellion is a capital
offense
• Conversion to Christianity no grounds for manumission
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
• Amendments made to codes in 1698, 1704, and 1708
• Among the additions were:
-Requirement to import 1 white for each 6 slaves
-Provisions for using slaves during periods of hostility
-Provisions for freeing slaves who serviced the colony
• Further amendments or re-enactments were made in 1712,
1714, 1717, 1722, and 1735
-Most important: Higher import duties on new Africans
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
Although the slave codes had been in effect for
many years, most Carolinians appeared
Indifferent to them prompting the South Carolina
Gazette to publish them so “that no one may for
the future plead ignorance”
(South Carolina Gazette, May 4, 1734)
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina
African/White Population in Colonial South Carolina
YEAR
1700
1708
1720
1740
AFRICANS
2,000+
4,000
11,828
39,155
WHITES
4,000+
4,080
6,525
20,000
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina:
Implications
Lieutenant Governor William Bull to the Common
House in 1739:
“the desertion of our slaves is a matter of such
importance to this Province that I doubt not but you will
readily concur in opinion with me, that the most effectual
means ought to be used to discourage and prevent it for
the future”
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina:
Implications
October, 1732 over 200 Negroes gathered “on the
Green” in Charleston. Having consumed too much
Alcohol, a fight broke out, and “a valuable Negro
belonging to Mrs Elbert’ was severely wounded”
(South Carolina Gazette, October 28, 1732)
Slavery in Colonial South Carolina:
Implications
Other examples of public concern may be found in the
following sources:
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South Carolina Gazette
Journal of the Common House
South Carolina Upper House Journal
British Public Records Office
Colonial Office Papers
Journal of the Court of General Sessions
Journal of the Grand Council of South Carolina
Statutes at Large of the State of South Carolina
Jemmy
• Jemmy (or Jonny or Cato), slave
• Alleged leader of the largest slave rebellion in the
United States colonial period
Jemmy-The Stono Rebellion
• Started on September 9, 1739 near Stono River-about 20
miles southwest of Charleston
• Sunday morning when many whites would be in church and
unarmed
• 20+ enslaved Africans gathered
• Mostly Angolans and some Congolese
Jemmy-The Stono Rebellion
• Broke into a local store and acquired arms
• 2 shopkeepers were killed, their heads left on
front steps of store
• Houses in the general vicinity were destroyed
Jemmy-The Stono Rebellion
• Several other whites killed as slaves moved south, sparing
an innkeeper who was reputed to be a “kind” master
• Though still mid-morning, the group encamped and
celebrated their “freedom”
• By mid-day, their numbers reached 50+
• At least one skirmish ensued with local whites, one of
whom was the colonial Lt. Governor-William Bull
Jemmy-The Stono Rebellion
• Late Sunday evening, a major fight broke out when armed
whites caught up with them and some 44 slaves and 23
additional whites were killed
• Although the major part of the rebellion was put down that
day, it took nearly a month to bring the slave population
under “control”
Jemmy-His Legacy
• Demonstrated that the enslaved African community,
though quite diverse, could unite in cause of freedom
• Made colonial South Carolinians, who were not slave
owners, painfully aware of its majority Black
population
• Increased the tension between Great Britain and Spain,
since it was commonly believed that the Spanish in
Florida encouraged black flight
Jemmy- His Legacy
• Convinced South Carolinians that the African
population was not “docile” as many felt
• Forced elected officials to enact and enforce new
laws that would change slavery forever in the region
and serve as a model for other southern states
• The 1740 Slave Code became the model in other
southern states
Jemmy-His Legacy
New Laws
• All whites responsible for policing the African
population
• All white men required to carry guns
• Slaves prohibited from assembling in certain
numbers
• Slaves prohibited from hiring themselves out
Jemmy-His Legacy
New Laws
• White immigration encouraged
• Illegal to teach slaves to read
• Restrictions set on importation of Blacks directly
from Africa
• Although more restrictive, the 1740 code still sought
to protect slave owners’ investment in slaves
COLONIAL SLAVERY
S. C RUNAWAY STATUTE
DEFINITION:
A SLAVE ABOVE THE AGE OF 16 WHO
CONTINUES TO BE ABSENT FROM THE
OWNER FOR A SPACE OF 20-30 DAYS
AT ONE TIME
COLONIAL SLAVERY
S. C RUNAWAY STATUTE
OFFENSE
1ST
PUNISHMENT
40 LASHES
2ND
BRANDED “R” (FACE)
3RD
40 LASHES & CROPPED EAR
4TH
MALE:
GELTED
FEMALE: WHIPPING, BRANDED “R” AND
CROPPING
5TH
LOST OF LEG OR LIFE
Free Negro-Defined
•
JOHN H. FRANKLIN:
•
STATUS SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN A SLAVE
•
WORSE THAN POOREST WHITE
•
NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE
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VIEWED WITH DISTRUST AND SUSPICION
•
PRESENCE ALWAYS A MATTER OF CONCERN
QUASI-FREE
POPULATION-UNITED STATES
1790
NORTH
27,000
SOUTH
33,000
_____________________________________
TOTAL
60, 000
(SLAVES
700,000)
POPULATION-UNITED STATES
FREE NEGROES
(SLAVES
1820
234,000
1,538,000)
POPULATION-UNITED STATES
NORTH
1860
237,000
SOUTH
251,000
_________________________
TOTAL
488,000 (2% OF US POP)
(SLAVES
3,954,000) (13% OF US POP)
POPULATION-SOUTH CAROLINA
1670
• South Carolina’s free Negro community
dates back to the earliest settler when it
became common practice to free slaves for cause
• No accurate number is known, but the various slave
codes make constant reference to them
POPULATION-SOUTH CAROLINA
“Any slave who shall…keep or take one or
more…enemies…shall for his reward, at the
charge of the public, have his freedom…”
“ An act for the enlisting of such trusty slaves as
Shall be thought serviceable to this Province in
time of alarms” 1708
POPULATION-SOUTH CAROLINA
FREE NEGROES
(SLAVES
1790
1, 801
107, 094)
POPULATION-SOUTH CAROLINA
FREE NEGROES
(SLAVES
1830
7, 7921
315, 401)
POPULATION-SOUTH CAROLINA
CHARLESTON
(SLAVES
1800
1850
951
3,441
in 1860
415, 000)
58% of State population
POPULATION-SOURCES
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NATURAL REPRODUCTION
OFFSPRINGS OF MIXED PARENTAGE
RUNAWAYS
SLAVES PURCHASING THEIR OWN FREEDOM
REWARDS FOR SERVICE
CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES
PERSONAL MANUMISSIONS
LIFE AS A FREE NEGRO-THE SOUTH
• PROOF OF FREEDOM
• COULD NOT HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE
• SPONSORS REQUIREMENT
• CURFEWS
• BAN AGAINST ASSEMBLING
QUASI FREE NEGROES
MUTUAL BENEFIT ORGANIZATIONS
(FOUND WHEREVER FREE NEGROES LIVED)
• FREE AFRICAN SOCIETY (PHILADELPHIA)
• SONS OF AFRICAN SOCIETY (BOSTON)
• BROWN FELLOWSHIP SOCIETY (CHARLESTON)
Jehu Jones-Free Negro
(1769-1833)
• Born a slave in 1769 to Christopher Rogers
• Learned to be a tailor
• Purchased his freedom
JEHU JONES’ CERTIFICATE OF FREEDOM
JEHU JONES’ CERTIFICATE OF FREEDOM
Jehu Jones’ Family
• Wife:
Abigail
• Children:
Ann Deas, stepdaughter
Jehu, Jr.
Alexander
Edward
Jehu Jones-Entrepreneur
• Set up his own tailoring business
• Invested in real estate in Charleston and
surrounding areas
• Established an inn at 33 Broad Street
• Slave owner
Jehu Jones’ Slave Owner
Jehu Jones-”Pillar” of the Black Community
• Operated in the highest social circles
• Trustee for the Brown Fellowship Society
Impact of Denmark Vesey
• Vesey, a free Negro had purchased his
freedom with money won in a street lottery
• Conspiracy betrayed by other free negroes
• State clamped down on free negro community
Impact of Denmark Vesey
• Free male negroes over 15 required to have a
white guardian
• Any free negro who left the state could not
return
Jehu Jones’ Guardian
Jehu Jones-Final years
• Abigail Jones died in New York
• Jones died in 1833
• Left an estate valued at $40,000
• Inherited by 3 sons and stepdaughter
Jehu Jones-Legacy
• Ann Deas (stepdaughter) named executrix of
his will
• Operated the inn on Broad Street for 12 years
as Jones’ Establishment
Jehu Jones-His Legacy-Ann Deas
• Ann Deas (stepdaughter) named executrix of
his will
• Received a pardon for violating the 1823 ban
• Operated the inn on Broad Street for 12 years
as Jones’ Establishment
• Eventually lost the property due to debt
Jehu Jones-His Legacy-Ann Deas
Jehu Jones-His Legacy-Jehu Jones, Junior
• Became a Lutheran minister
• Moved to Philadelphia where he established a
Lutheran church for Negroes
• Disillusioned with status of blacks in north
• Petitioned to be allowed to return
Jehu Jones-His Legacy-Jehu Jones, Junior
Jehu Jones-His Legacy-Jehu Jones, Junior
Jehu Jones-His Legacy-Jehu Jones, Junior
Jehu Jones-His Legacy: Alexander Jones
• Alexander Jones remained in Charleston
Jehu Jones-His Legacy: Edward Jones
• Edward A. Jones became 1st black graduate of
Amherst College, 1826
• Graduated New Jersey Theological Seminary, 1829
• Ordained an Episcopal minister
• Emigrated to Sierra Leone where he founded a
College (today the University of Sierra Leone)
Jemmy and Jehu Jones
SUMMARY STATEMENTS
• The African American experience in colonial and
early national South Carolina was complex
• All enslaved African Americans did not share the
same experience as slaves
• The Free Negro experience was also equally as
diverse
Jemmy and Jehu Jones
SUMMARY STATEMENTS
• All African Americans of the time were affected by
the oppression of enslavement, whether slave or
quasi-free
• Under the circumstances, all African Americans
struggle to resist the forces that relegated them to
the bottom rungs of a slave dominated society
Sources
• Jehu Jones: Free Black Entrepreneur
S. C. Department of Archives and History
• Jones: Time of Crisis, Time of Change
S. C. Department of Archives and History
• Black Majority: Negroes in Colonial South Carolina
Peter Wood
Sources
• Slave Culture in Eighteenth South Carolina and Virginia
(disst)
Phillip Morgan
• South Carolina, A History
Walter Edgar
• The Quest for Order: Enforcing Slave Codes in Revolutionary
South Carolina, 1760-1800 (disst)
Larry D. Watson
Jemmy, Jehu Jones and the African American
Experience in Colonial South Carolina