Paul Jennings (slave)
Encyclopedia
Paul Jennings was an African-American slave owned by President James Madison
, who later purchased his freedom and wrote a short memoir, a first for an occupant of the White House
.
Jennings was the son of an English trader, Benjamin Jennings and an African slave. He was described as a "body servant" for Madison, possibly akin to the "body man
" for later presidents. Jennings was present when Madison died in 1836. In 1847, he purchased his own freedom from Dolley Madison
for $120, having been loaned this money by Daniel Webster
. After this time he worked for Webster, and repaid Webster for the price of his freedom.
During the War of 1812
, as British troops were approaching the White House (and were about to set it aflame) Jennings reportedly helped save the famous Gilbert Stuart
portrait of George Washington
. (The portrait has since been returned to the White House where it currently resides.) Legend has it that he assisted First Lady Dolley Madison
in this effort, but in his autobiography, Jennings wrote that instead of the First Lady, it was a French cook and one other person who helped him save the painting.
In 1848, Jennings was one of the organizers of the Pearl incident
, an attempt to free seventy-six runaway slaves.
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
, who later purchased his freedom and wrote a short memoir, a first for an occupant of the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
.
Jennings was the son of an English trader, Benjamin Jennings and an African slave. He was described as a "body servant" for Madison, possibly akin to the "body man
Body man
A body man is, in U.S. political jargon, a personal assistant to a politician or political candidate. A body man accompanies the politician or candidate virtually everywhere, often arranging lodging, transportation or meals, and providing companionship, snacks, a cell phone, and any other...
" for later presidents. Jennings was present when Madison died in 1836. In 1847, he purchased his own freedom from Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison
Dolley Payne Todd Madison was the spouse of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and was First Lady of the United States from 1809 to 1817...
for $120, having been loaned this money by Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster was a leading American statesman and senator from Massachusetts during the period leading up to the Civil War. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests...
. After this time he worked for Webster, and repaid Webster for the price of his freedom.
During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, as British troops were approaching the White House (and were about to set it aflame) Jennings reportedly helped save the famous Gilbert Stuart
Gilbert Stuart
Gilbert Charles Stuart was an American painter from Rhode Island.Gilbert Stuart is widely considered to be one of America's foremost portraitists...
portrait of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. (The portrait has since been returned to the White House where it currently resides.) Legend has it that he assisted First Lady Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison
Dolley Payne Todd Madison was the spouse of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and was First Lady of the United States from 1809 to 1817...
in this effort, but in his autobiography, Jennings wrote that instead of the First Lady, it was a French cook and one other person who helped him save the painting.
In 1848, Jennings was one of the organizers of the Pearl incident
Pearl incident
The Pearl Incident was the largest recorded escape attempt by slaves in the United States. On April 15, 1848, seventy-six slaves attempted to escape Washington D.C. in part by travelling on a riverboat called The Pearl. Paul Jennings was one of the organizers of this incident...
, an attempt to free seventy-six runaway slaves.
External links
- A Colored Man's Reminiscences of James Madison by Paul Jennings. George C. Beadle, 1865. The pagination in the actual book http://books.google.com/books?id=DoZDAAAAYAAJ does not match that of this web site.