Call Number:

MC.801.02.009

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

.01 linear ft. (1 folder)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Letter about George Williams (HC.MC.801.02.009) Quaker and Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1827 June 18

Form:

letters (correspondence)

Abstract:

The collection consists of a letter from 1827 addressed to the Mayor of Philadelphia, Joseph Watson, about a potentially fugitive enslaved man, George Williams.

Joseph Watson (1874 - 1841) was a mayor of Philadelphia in the years 1824 - 1828. He was known for his efforts of freeing free black people who have been kidnapped in Philadelphia and transported to the South to be enslaved. During his time as a mayor, he managed to free 10 kidnap victims and failed to free two known victims, as there he was unable to find any white person to testify that those individuals were born free. He also attempted to pursue the kidnappers, the Cannon-Johnson Gang, and was successful in bringing at least one member to justice. In 1828, he was defeated in mayoral re-election by George M. Dallas, but continued to serve on the Common Council. In 1833, he developed the first structure of police force in Philadelphia.

The collection consists of a letter from 1827 addressed to the Mayor of Philadelphia, Joseph Watson, about a potentially fugitive enslaved man, George Williams. The letter was written by David Roe.

The collection consists of a single letter.