Diary (1 of 3), 1813 - 1821
Scope and Contents
Contains bound diary, dated 1813-21, in McElroy's hand.
This folder contains materials related to Jesuit slaveholding.
The number of our family, 1813: Rev. McElroy's count of "the number of our family" includes "13 Colored Persons." [GSA17]
The Number of Persons, Dec. 31, 1814: Rev. John McElroy, S.J. records the total number of people at Georgetown at the end of 1814, including "servants." [GSA22]
Feast of St. Xavier, 1813: Rev. John McElroy notes in his journal that everyone in the College is celebrating the Feast of St. Xavier "except the Servants." [GSA18]
Cassimir, 1813: Rev. Fenwick leaves an enslaved man named Cassimir at Georgetown [GSA16]
Claims to freedom, 1819: On a visit to Talbot City, Rev. John McElroy S.J. alludes to "some negroes" who "pretended to claim their freedom." [GSA26]
Total Number of Persons, 1814: Rev. John McElroy takes a census of Georgetown College, including "12 Servants" out of 102 people in all. [GSA19]
Death of Billy the Blacksmith: ev. John McElroy records the death of "Billy the Blacksmith" and his internment in the graveyard at Georgetown. [GSA23]
Mass at Trinity Church: Rev. John McElroy, S.J. observes mass at Trinity Church with an interracial congregation [GSA25]
A Negro woman the property of Fr. Miguel, 1814: Fr. Miguel leaves an unnamed "Negro Woman" at the College in July 1814. [GSA21]
Davy threatened with sale, 1818: Davy, a slave at White Marsh, was put in jail for "bad conduct" and sent to Baltimore to be sold, but then was returned to White Marsh after promising to behave himself. [GSA24]
Isaac runs away, 1814: Rev. John McElroy records in his journal on Jan. 29, 1814, that Isaac ran away from the College. The entry for the following day, Jan. 30, notes that Isaac was captured and put in jail in Baltimore. Rev. Neale, who was in Baltimore, then sold Isaac to a purchaser in Hartford County. [GSA20]
School for Colored Persons at Trinity Church, 1819: Rev. John McElroy comments on the instruction of black students at Trinity Church in Georgetown in 1819. [GSA27]
Dates
- 1813 - 1821
Collection-level Access Restrictions
Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.8 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: McElroy, John, 1782-1877 (Person)
- From the Collection: Jesuits. Maryland Province (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu