Deep Dive
Why did the Jesuits in Maryland establish tobacco plantations?
The Jesuits established tobacco plantations in Maryland to generate revenue through the cultivation and sale of tobacco, which was a lucrative crop at the time.
How did the Jesuits view the enslaved people they owned?
The Jesuits viewed the enslaved people as human beings with souls, believing they had an obligation to nurture and tend to their souls while also owning and selling their bodies.
What was the success rate of freedom suits in Maryland and Washington, D.C. before the American Revolution?
More than 50% of all freedom suits in Maryland and Washington, D.C. were successful, indicating a significant legal challenge to the institution of slavery.
Why did Edward Queen's family assume their freedom suits would be successful after his victory?
Edward Queen's family assumed their freedom suits would be successful because his victory in the general court set a precedent that their cases would likely follow.
What was the largest award given to any enslaved person in the Maryland court?
Charles Mahoney received the largest award given to any enslaved person in the Maryland court, amounting to thousands of pounds of tobacco and damages.
Why did the Jesuits decide to sell almost 300 enslaved people in 1838?
The Jesuits decided to sell almost 300 enslaved people to raise funds to keep Georgetown afloat and to expand the university, as the tobacco plantations were no longer profitable.
How did Jeremy Alexander discover his connection to the enslaved people sold by the Jesuits?
Jeremy Alexander discovered his connection through DNA testing and a phone call from Melissa Kemp, who shared the history of his ancestor Anna Mahoney, who was sold in 1838.
What was the significance of the ceremony held by Georgetown University and the Jesuits in 2017?
The ceremony was significant as it marked the formal apology by Georgetown University and the Jesuits to the descendants of the 272 enslaved people sold in 1838, acknowledging their historical wrongdoing.
- Jesuit priests established the first Catholic colony in Maryland and used enslaved labor.
- Thousands of acres were colonized, and enslaved people from West Africa were bought and used on tobacco plantations.
- Patrick and Charles Mahoney sued the Jesuits for their freedom in 1791, knowing the story of their ancestor Anne Joyce who was illegally enslaved.
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