Joseph Watson Correspondence

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Watson's correspondence (1826-1828) focuses on the location and recovery of five children, all free people of color, who were kidnapped in Philadelphia and sold as slaves in Mississippi and Louisiana. A letter from Philip Hicky, prominent Baton Rouge planter and soldier, indicates his return of one of the kidnapped children.
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1826-03-20, Joseph Watson to Benjamin Morgan and Joseph Bennet Eves
1826-03-20, Joseph Watson to Benjamin Morgan and Joseph Bennet Eves
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Philadelphia (Pa.)
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New Orleans (La.)
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Watson, Joseph, 1784-1841
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March 20, 1826 letter from Joseph Watson to Benjamin Morgan and Joseph Bennet Eves concerning the kidnapping of five African American children from Pennsylvania. Watson requests that Morgan and Eves receive the children who were recovered by J. W. Hamilton and John Henderson and secure them safe passage home.
1827-04-20, Joseph Watson to Philip Hickey
1827-04-20, Joseph Watson to Philip Hickey
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Philadelphia (Pa.)
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Baton Rouge (La.)
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Natchez (Miss.)
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Watson, Joseph, 1784-1841
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April 20, 1827 letter from Joseph Watson to Colonel Philip Hickey informing him of the situation of the kidnapped African American children and offering evidence that one of Hickey's slaves, James Dailley, may be one of the kidnapped children. Watson gives names and descriptions of the kidnapped children as well as of Patrick Pickett, who is accused of having sold the kidnapped children as slaves.
1827-05-05, Joseph Watson to John Henderson and J. W. Hamilton
1827-05-05, Joseph Watson to John Henderson and J. W. Hamilton
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Watson, Joseph, 1784-1841
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May 5, 1827 letter from Joseph Watson to John Henderson and J. W. Hamilton concerning a gift given to them in reward for their services in recovering one of the kidnapped African American children.
1827-06-14, Philip Hickey to Joseph Watson
1827-06-14, Philip Hickey to Joseph Watson
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Prejudices--Southern States
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Baton Rouge (La.)
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Hickey, Philip
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June 14, 1827 letter from Colonel Philip Hickey to Joseph Watson regarding his personal doubts of the kidnapping, the distrust of southern planters for northerners, and his distaste for emancipation efforts. Hickey states that he did acquire a boy named James Daily from Emilia Pickard, wife of Patrick Pickard, but that his description does not match that provided by Watson.
1827-10-02, Joseph Watson to Philip Hickey
1827-10-02, Joseph Watson to Philip Hickey
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Prejudices--Southern States
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Watson, Joseph, 1784-1841
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October 2, 1827 letter from Joseph Watson to Philip Hickey insisting he cooperate with the investigations into the kidnapped African American children. He asks that Hickey provide any information pertaining to the Pickards and describes the evidence he has provided to Hickey concerning the kidnapping.
1827-10-29, Joseph Watson to Samuel P. Garrigues
1827-10-29, Joseph Watson to Samuel P. Garrigues
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Prejudices--Southern States
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New Orleans (La.)
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Natchez (Miss.)
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Watson, Joseph, 1784-1841
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October 29, 1827 letter from Joseph Watson to Samuel P. Garrigues, High Constable of Philadelphia, instructing him of his duties in returning the kidnapped children to Philadelphia. Watson states that Mr. Walker has not acknowledged receipt of any of the many documents he has sent.
1827-11-03, List of documents in the possession of Samual P. Garrigues
1827-11-03, List of documents in the possession of Samual P. Garrigues
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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November 3, 1827 list of documents given to Samuel P. Garrigues, High Constable of Philadelphia, as evidence relating to the kidnapped African American children from Philadelphia. Names, occupations, and descriptions those giving depositions in the cases of the kidnapped children are listed as well as dates of depositions.
1827-11-28, Samuel P. Garrigues to Joseph Watson
1827-11-28, Samuel P. Garrigues to Joseph Watson
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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New Orleans (La.)
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Natchez (Miss.)
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Garrigues, Samuel P.
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November 28, 1827 letter from Samuel P. Garrigues, in Natchez, Mississippi, to Joseph Watson describing developments in the case of the kidnapped African American children from Philadelphia, including the progression of the trials of the individuals involved.
1827-12-03, Samuel P. Garrigues to Joseph Watson
1827-12-03, Samuel P. Garrigues to Joseph Watson
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Natchez (Miss.)
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Garrigues, Samuel P.
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December 3, 1827 letter from Samuel P. Garrigues, in Natchez, Mississippi, to Joseph Watson describing developments in the case of the kidnapped African American children from Philadelphia, including the progression of the trials of the individuals involved.
1827-12-16, Samuel P. Garrigues to Joseph Watson
1827-12-16, Samuel P. Garrigues to Joseph Watson
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Natchez (Miss.)
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Garrigues, Samuel P.
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December 16, 1827 letter from Samuel P. Garrigues, in Natchez, Mississippi, to Joseph Watson describing developments in the case of the kidnapped African American children from Philadelphia, including the progression of the trials of the individuals involved.
1828-01-26, Joseph Watson to Duncan S. and R. J. Walker
1828-01-26, Joseph Watson to Duncan S. and R. J. Walker
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Philadelphia (Pa.)
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Natchez (Miss.)
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Watson, Joseph, 1784-1841
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January 26, 1828 letter from Joseph Watson to Duncan S. Walker and R. J. Walker regarding the case of the kidnapped African American children and noting that one child returned by Philip Hickey, Ephraim Lawrence, died days after his arrival in Philadelphia.
Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama
Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama
Free African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Kidnapping victims--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
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Slave trade--United States
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Tuscaloosa (Ala.)
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Alabama. Circuit Court (6th Circuit)
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Decree of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, State of Alabama, discharing Cornelius Sinclair, and Adam Traquair's deposition as to the freedom of said C. Sinclair. List of documents includes letters by Joseph Watson and Philip Hickey.
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