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Influence of Slavery on American University resources

Resources related to the history of the site of American University and the influence of slavery on American University.

Overview

Introduction

This section will give a brief history of landowners before American University was founded. Before Bishop John Fletcher Hurst secured the location to build American University, the university’s land was owned by and passed down to several different families. Historically, the land was owned by slave owning families that operated tobacco farms. However, it unclear if any enslaved individuals worked on the land that became American University property. Below, you will also find resources related to each of the families.

Resources

Overview: Murdock Family and Lee Family

In 1713, a tract of land called “Friendship,” which was granted to Colonel Thomas Addison and James A. Stoddert. The southern part of the Friendship tract became the site of American University. John Murdock’s father, William, married into the Addison family. In 1760, John Murdock inherited the land from his relative, Anthony Addison. At the time of his death, Anthony Addison owned 20 enslaved individuals. However, it is not clear if anyone lived or worked on the property that became American University. When John Murdock inherited the land from the Addison family, he built Friendship House, which is the site of the official home of the American University president.

In 1862, William D.C. Murdock, who was the great-grandson of John Murdock and landowner of the Friendship tract, emancipated nine enslaved individuals under D.C. law. Based on census and emancipation records, they were likely members of the Lee family. It is believed that the Lee family lived in Georgetown, and it is unclear whether the Lee family would have worked on the Friendship tract.

William D.C. Murdock lost ownership of the Friendship tract after the Civil War. At the time of Murdock’s death in 1886, James L. Davis, an unmarried real estate developer, owned the property.

Primary Sources

Census Data and Cemetery Records

Census data and cemetery records were gathered through Ancestry.com's database. American University students can access the Ancestry database through their AU Library account.

  • Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
  • Ancestry.com. Maryland, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
    • Ann Addison (1711 - ) baptized February 18, 1711 at Saint John’s Parish, PG, MD
    • Ann Addison married William Murdock in Maryland.
  • "Maryland Births and Christenings, 1600–1995." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.
    • John Murdock (1733 – 1790) baptized May 16, 1733 at Saint Barnabas Church in PG, MD
    • Parents are William (1710 - ) and Ann Murdock
  • Gaius Morcus Brumbaugh M.S. M.D. Maryland Records Colonial, Revolutionary, County and Church from Original Sources. Vol. I. Baltimore, MD, USA: 1915, 184.
    • John Murdock living in Frederick, Maryland in 1776
  • Ancestry.com. 1790 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
    • First Census of the United States, 1790 (NARA microfilm publication M637, 12 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., page 266
    • 1790 Census, Montgomery County, MD
    • “The Estate of Jno Murdock” lists 44 enslaved people
  • 1790 Probate, John Murdock
  • Ancestry.com. 1790 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
    • First Census of the United States, 1790 (NARA microfilm publication M637, 12 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., page 302. 
    • Addison Murdock
    • Lists 89 enslaved people 
  • The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol. 73, (Boston: The New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1919), 232.
    • Addison Murdock married Mariamney C[raik] Clark, April 13, 1805
  • 1850 Census and Slave Schedules, William D.C. Murdock, West of 7th St Turnpike, Washington, D.C.
    • Family members: William D.C. Murdock, Ellen L. Murdock (Burnett), Louisa Murdock, Marianna Murdock
    • 11 enslaved people listed, likely members of the Lee family
  • 1860 Census and Slave Schedules, William D.C. Murdock , Georgetown Ward 4, Washington, D.C.
    • Family members: W D C Murdock, E L Murdock, Louisa Childs, M E Murdock, W L Childs
    • 9 enslaved people listed, likely members of the Lee family
  • 1860 Slave Schedules, Murdock, 1860 Washington Ward 4
    • There are two separate records for Murdock in 1860, speculation that there were two census takers at each location (Cedars and Friendship)
    • 2 enslaved people listed, names not included, speculation that they are Theodore and Henry or Frank
  • 1880 Census
    • Members of the Lee family living together in Georgetown
    • John, Frank, Henry, Mary, Ellen, Margaret, with Joseph Lee, grandson going to school
  • Frank Lee in 1900 U.S. Census
    • Members of the Lee family living together in Georgetown
    • Mary C Lee (Head, 66), Ellen Lee (Sister, 51), Frank Lee (Brother, 50), Mary Alexander (Boarder, 41)

Maryland State Archives

The Assessment of 1783 Index held at the Maryland State Archives provides information on John Murdock's property in Georgetown.

  • Assessment of 1783 Index, Montgomery Country, Maryland State Archives, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/stagser/s1400/s1437/html/1437mo.html.
    • John Murdock, Maryland Tax Assessment
      • “Friendship, 1562 acres. MO Middle Potomac, Lower Potomac, and Georgetown Hundred, p. 18. MSA S 1161-8-3    1/4/5/51”
      • Lots (3). Notes: in Georgetown. MO Middle Potomac, Lower Potomac, and Georgetown Hundred, p. 24. MSA S 1161-8-3    1/4/5/51
      • Philip and Jacob, 400 acres. MO Middle Potomac, Lower Potomac, and Georgetown Hundred, p. 20. MSA S 1161-8-3    1/4/5/51
      • White Haven, 759 acres. MO Middle Potomac, Lower Potomac, and Georgetown Hundred, p. 22. MSA S 1161-8-3    1/4/5/51

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Emancipation petitions and records hosted by NARA were gathered through Ancestry.com's database. American University students can access the Ancestry database through their AU Library account.

  • National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Records of the Board of Commissioners for the Emancipation of Slaves in the District of Columbia, 1862-1863; Record Group: 217, Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury; Microfilm Serial: M520; Microfilm Roll: 3, Ancestry.com.
    • William D.C. Murdock slave owner petition
    • Filed May 2, 1862
    • Lists names, ages, sex, and description the nine enslaved individuals that Murdock inherited from his father Addison Murdock (1780 – 1808)
  • National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Records of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Relating to Slaves, 1851-1863; Microfilm Serial: M433; Microfilm Roll: 2, Ancestry.com.
    • William D.C. Murdock emancipation records
    • Filed May 15, 1862
    • Lists the origin, names, ages, sex, and description of the nine enslaved individuals that Murdock inherited from his father Addison Murdock (1780 – 1808), worth $9,100

Newspaper Articles

Secondary Sources

Articles and Reports

Books

Overview: Davis Family

James L. Davis acquired the Friendship tract from William D.C. Murdock in 1886. When James passed away in 1889, his sister Achsah C. Davis inherited the land. During the same year as James L. Davis’ death, Bishop Hurst and attorney Theodore Tallmadge began searching for a site to host American University. On February 28, 1990, Achsah C. Davis signed the deed for Friendship tract to transfer the property to Bishop Hurst. Based on federal census records and slave schedules, the Davis family owned several enslaved people. In 1862, Nancy W. Davis, sister of James L. Davis and Achsah C. Davis, emancipated four enslaved individuals under D.C. law.

Primary Sources

Census Data and Cemetery Records

Census data and cemetery records were gathered through Ancestry.com's database. American University students can access the Ancestry database through their AU Library account.

  • Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
    • James L. Davis, owner of Friendship tract, dies in 1889 and land goes to sister Achsah C. Davis
  • 1820 Census, Jefferson, VA
    • Leonard Davis
  • 1900 Census
    • Joseph Willson Davis (1815 – 1900), only sibling living at the time, lives in DC w/his nephew and cousins
    • Family: H.G. Cromwell (61, nephew), S.G. Cox (79, cousin), H.W. Cox (47, cousin)
    • Servants: Aaron Walker (40, servant/butler), Ida Mason (21, servant/chambermaid), Ellen Hicks (19, servant/chambermaid)
  • 1850 Slave Schedules
    • Henry Gaither Davis (1817 – 1881)
    • Enslaved 6 people in 1850 (Alexandria, VA): 80 yo man, 50 yo man, 34 yo woman, 13 yo boy, 8 yo boy, 24 yo woman
  • 1850 Census
    • Henry Gaither Davis, listed as a farmer, $3,000 in personal real estate.
  • 1850 Census
    • Joseph Willson Davis (1825 – 1880), listed as a farmer.
  • 1860 Census
    • Joseph Willson Davis
  • 1860 Census
    • Henry Gaither Davis
    • Trustee for 5 enslaved people in 1860 census, First District, DC: 60 yo man, 45 yo woman, 22 yo man, 18 yo man, 13 yo girl
  • 1862 Emancipation Petition
    • Joseph and James Davis file petition
    • Nancy/Ann W. Davis (1802 – 1887) inherited 2 enslaved people from her father (Leonard Davis): Anny Lowry and Simon Moore
    • Ann’s sons: Stepto Lowry and George Lowry
    • All four emancipated by DC in 1862
  • 1880 Census
    • Siblings move to DC and live together until their deaths
    • Lists 6 servants living with them: Rachael Ware (48, servant/cook), Vinnie Ware (9, boarder), John Adams (40, servant/arm laborer), Aaron Walker (20, servant)
  • 1889 Achsah C. Davis will
    • Orders heirs Joseph and James to provide for servants Rachael, Michal, Adam Irvin, Lavenia, Michael, Aaron Walker
  • 1990 Joseph W. Davis will
    • Same orders as Achsah’s will

Newspaper Articles

Secondary Sources

Overview: Loughborough Family

The Loughborough family owned property that is adjacent to the American University's current location. They owned a tract of land called “Grassland,” which consisted of the present-day locations of the NBC studio and the Department of Homeland Security. Based on census records and tax assessments, the Loughborough family owned several enslaved people. Hamilton Loughborough, who inherited the Grassland tract from his stepmother, owned 11 enslaved individuals living on the Grassland tract in 1855.

Primary Sources

Census Data

  • 1850 Slave Schedule, West of 7th St Turnpike - Washington, DC, The National Archive in Washington DC; Washington, DC; NARA Microform Publication: M432; Title: Seventh Census Of The United States, 1850; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29.

  • 1860 Slave Schedule, Washington, DC, United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860, 4. 

Court Cases

Georgetown University Archival Resources

These materials are located at Georgetown University's Booth Family Center for Special Collections. To access these materials, complete a Special Collections Information Request Form.

Memoir 

  • Margaret Cabell Brown Loughborough, “Recollections, 1912” in The Recollections of Margaret Cabell Brown Loughborough: A Southern Woman’s Memories of Richmond, VA. and Washington, D.C. in the Civil War, ed. James H. Johnston (Lanham, Maryland: Hamilton Books, 2010).
  • Margaret Loughborough, “Nathan Loughborough,” Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C., Vol. 24 (1922), pp. 1-7, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40067156.

 

Secondary Sources

Articles and Reports

Books

Exhibits and Websites