Items

• David McDonogh to Daniel Wells

  David informs Daniel Wells that he and Washington begin classes on the 24th of May. They will be studying arithmetic, geography, and catechism. David and Washington are still boarding with AO Hoff, but have also been given the option to board at the college. David and Washington wish to know if Wells has any objection to them attending Sunday School. They currently go to Church twice every Sabbath day. David asks to know if Wells has heard from John McDonogh, and if he bought the book and umbrella that David requested. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• Walter Lowrie to Daniel Wells

  In the presence of Daniel Wells and Peter Dougherty, Walter Lowrie does "hereby emancipate and set free from the bonds of slavery, David McDonogh and Washington McDonogh, two colored youth late belonging to John McDonogh Esq of New Orleans, and heretofore remaining with him in a state of slavery; but who have now been sent to my care by their late master, at his expense, for the purpose of receiving such an education as may fit them for usefulness in the missionary service in Africa." John McDonogh's letter of permission (sent May 2nd, 1838) is preserved among the papers of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  John gives authority to Lowrie to Emancipate the slaves according to New York laws when he "sees fit and proper." He is sending them by the Ship Orleans, captained by Cpt. Sears. David is about twenty years of age and Washington is eighteen. John appoints Lowrie as guardian of David and Washington: "And until such time as you may see fit to Emancipate, and Free them from the Bonds of Slavery, and that they attain the age of majority, I appoint you the Guardian of said two, Black Youths, David and Washington." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  This letter is presented to Walter Lowrie by David and Washington upon their arrival in New York. David and Washington agreed to be called by the name, 'McDonogh'. John sees this act "is one of fair promise." John describes David as "a boy of bright parts- and of a high, proud, brave, and aspiring disposition (tempered at the same time with much piety), can be kept down, tempered, and made to walk humbly in the footsteps of his Lord and master, will become great among his people. He is capable of acquiring every science-- in short, he may become a Madison, and will be I trust, a Saint Paul among his people." John states that "Washington, not so bright and imaginative, has greater solidity of character: is of mild disposition, meek, humble, full of piety, can be molded to any form, and may be called the Monroe of his people-- though he does not seize a subject with the same rapidity of David, once he grasps it however, it remains his forever." Of the two, John writes they are "deserving of the kindness, which you, and your Society, are keeping upon them." He also notes that David and Washington speak French fluently. Enclosed is a note of the Bank of the United States, for the sum of one hundred dollars. This amount is intended to meet the expenses of clothing for the next twelve months. Also enclosed is a letter from John, appointing Lowrie as the "Guardianship of said youths, and empowering you to Emancipate and Free them, at such time as you may think proper." ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• John McDonogh to Walter Lowrie

  "Among my Black family, I have two youths, of great promise, of the age of nineteen years, who are remarkable at that early period of life, for their intelligence, knowledge, and solidity of judgement, their pious, and tractable dispositions, whom I offer to your society, to be given a Religious Education, preparatory to their becoming missionaries of the Gospel in the Land of their forefathers." John McDonogh agrees to pay the expenses of their passage and clothing, as well as the sum of $100.00 a year. McDonogh acknowledges that laws do not permit owners to emancipate slaves before they have turned 30 years old, and even then, only in particular cases. He asks Lowrie whether there will be any difficulty sending David and Washington into Pennsylvania as slaves. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• David to Walter Lowrie

  David is surprised that Walter Lowrie and John McDonogh have decided that he "shall go a full college course; at which I was very much surprised, because I never solicited any such think, and consequently never expected it." "But Sir, it is entirely against my disposition to think or to say anything contrary to what you and our father think proper to confer upon me: because I was not sent here to do my own will, but to do the will of you and him, who sent me here." "And be you assured Sir, that I will endeavor (with good behavior) to do all that is in power (if it so pleasures the Almighty God to give me health and strength) to make myself deserving of all the benefits; which you and our father are daily bestowing upon me." David informs Lowrie that his health is still on the decline, but not so much as it was before. He asks for permission to travel during vacation so he might get well and be better prepared for studying the next session. If David can find anyone to teach him during vacation, he would rather remain in college. ... Original letter at the PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Philadelphia)
• McDonogh Tree
• LibMapscreenshot
• LibtoLafLogo
• Construction of a road connecting Millsburg and Bopolu

  An ACS agent hires a crew of natives to help build a road connecting Bopolu and Millsburg; by 1830 it was heavily traveled.
• The Gola people attack Millsburg

  Getambe, Chief of the inland Gola people, attacks Millsburg seizing six people as prisoners.
• Washington W. McDonogh joins the Liberian Legislature body

  Washington Watts McDonogh becomes a member of the Lower House of the Liberian Legislature.
• The True Whig Party is founded

  The True Whig Party went on to becoming the dominant polictical party in Liberia until the late 20th century
• 42 more former McDonogh slaves leave for Liberia

  In 1859, 9 years after John McDonogh's death, 42 more McDonogh slaves were freed and sent to Liberia.
• Maryland in Liberia is at war with the Grebo and Kru People

  Maryland in Liberia requests military aid from Liberia in a war with the Grebo and Kru peoples who were resisting the Maryland settlers' efforts to control their trade.
• The colony of Maryland in Liberia declares independence from the Maryland Colonization Society

  Maryland in Liberia declares indenpendence from the Maryland Colonization Society but does not join the Commonwealth.
• 3000 Tribes people apply and recieve citizenship

  3000 tribes people applied for and recieved citizenship status
• Liberia College is founded

  Liberia College is founded
• The Ladies Dorcay Society founded

  The Ladies Dorcay Society is founded in 1843 by the Methodist Episcopal Church of Monrovia
• Mississippi in Liberia joins the Commonwealth

  The Mississippi settlement at the mouth of the Sinoe River joins the commonwealth
• The Commonwealth of Liberia adopts a new constitution and appoint a new governor
• The Methodist Episcopal Church opens a Vocational School

  The Methodist Episcopal Church opens a vocational school near Millsburg. This School taught trades and promoted "understanding".
• Death of Sao Boso

  The death of Sao Boso, a Mandinka chief and ruler of Bopolu, created unrest in the region as other Chiefs began struggling for control.
• Bassa Cove is founded

  The Young Men's Colonization Society of Pennyslyvania founded Bassa Cove
• Maryland Colonization society establish Cape Palmas

  The Maryland Colonization Society establishes the largest settlement in Liberia called Maryland in Liberia 200 miles south of Monrovia at Cape Palmas.