Date: Monday, April 30, 2001 12:33 PM
Dear Editor, ASBURY PARK PRESS;
The front page article RACIAL DEBUT DEBATE RAGES, is outrageous in itself. Where would the money come from, whites only, or blacks as well? According to the 1830 census, there were black men who lived in Monmouth County who owned black slaves. Yes, Hercules Holmes, Isaac Holmes, and Nean Wolley were free blacks who owned slaves. Would there be reparations paid to THEIR descandants?
I have read much concerning slavery but have been disappointed in not finding any mention of free blacks who owned slaves. The ubject was mentioned in American Heritage Feb/Mar 1993 (vol 441 under the title "Selling Poor Steven" beginning on page 90. Citing the official U.S. Census of 1830, there were 3775 free blacks who owned 12,740 black slaves.
Furthermore, the story outlines the history of slavery here, and the first slave owner, the Father of American slavery, was Mr. Anthony Johnson, of Northhampton, Virginia. His slave was John Casor, the first slave for life. Both were black Africans. This is a part of our history which deserves attention.
The story is very readable, and outlines cases of free black women owning their husbands, free black parents selling their children into slavery to white owners, and absentee free black slave owners, who leased their slaves to plantation owners. Most libraries carry back issues of American Heritage.
Another interesting book on the same subject is FREE NEGRO OWNERS OF SLAVES IN THE UNITED STATES 1830, by the noted black historian, Carter C. Woodson. This book lists the names and addresses of free blacks who owned slaves. Among them is one George C. Washington, of Washington, D.C.
Would the millions of African Americans who are descendants of these people be entitled to reparations?
The whole issue is without legal merit.
For Publication,
Ed Toner 481B Jason Place Brick NJ 08724 732-840-4203
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