A new exhibition, Slaves, Slavery, and
the Jay Family, is currently on display in the Back Parlor Gallery.
It spans the years from John Jay's grandfather's probable
involvement in the slave trade in the late 17th and early 18th centuries,
continues through the period of John Jay's father's and his own slave
ownership, and concludes with the abolitionist activity of John
Jay's sons, Peter Augustus and William, and his grandson, John Jay
II. John Jay's own actions in regard to slavery are
examined: while publicly advocating an end to it as a president of
the New-York Society for Promoting the Manumission
of Slaves, and signing, as governor, the first law that began the
process of slowly ending slavery in New York State, he continued to own,
purchase, rent, and sell slaves, believing that the practice needed to be ended
gradually.
Also told are stories of slaves owned by the
Jays, illustrating their experiences: Abby's becoming a fugitive,
Ben's working to earn his freedom, Clarinda's having to live apart
from her spouse because he was owned by a different
slave-owner, Caesar's being rented out as a sailor. The
abolitionist activities of John Jay's son William and his grandson
John are illustrated with rare documents from John Jay Homestead's
historic collection, revealing their collaboration with such
important advocates for African-American freedom as the publisher David Ruggles and the Underground Railroad's
Stephen Myers.
The exhibit can be viewed both as part of a
regular tour of the historic house, and by itself, during special gallery hours
held on Fridays from 10:00 to noon, and on Sundays from noon to 2:00. View pictures of the Opening and View pictures of the Exhibit.
