{"id":198,"date":"2018-03-15T17:15:48","date_gmt":"2018-03-15T17:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/?page_id=198"},"modified":"2019-03-19T23:23:50","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T23:23:50","slug":"john-browns-gun","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/antislavery-in-small-things-project\/2018-19-projects-2\/john-browns-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"John Brown’s Gun"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Aaron Levitin<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Antislavery in Small Things Research Outcome: The Gun of John Brown.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

The focus of my analysis for our community-based research project centres upon a gun that once belonged to the notorious abolitionist figure, John Brown. When confronted with an object, an individual does not often consider the long history that might be associated with it but rather, how it is used and for what purpose? It has become evident that there is often a greater significance tied to the history of certain objects, than is tied to its functionality. The gun of John Brown is no different. It can serve as a window from which an individual can observe various aspects and fields of history. For instance, the gun relates to the political and social history of the United States and Canada in the 1850s, which was a time of great importance for the abolitionist movement. The object\u2019s location\u2014the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society museum– invites historians and researchers to explore the Canadian-abolition connection and particularly, the role of Chatham as a safe haven for former slaves and black abolitionists.. By focusing on the gun, we also learn that Chatham became a place of great planning and organization. Moreover, Brown\u2019s commitment to violence can be explored by focusing on the gun\u2019s main function, which is to kill and to protect. Ultimately, the gun of John Brown invites historians to find correlations between the social and political history of the time, his psyche and mentality and the place of this artifact \u00a0in Brown\u2019s fight for the abolition of slavery.<\/p>\n

According to our community partner, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society (CKBHS), Brown\u2019s gun was a Cast Steel Burnside Marine Carbine Rifle. He used it as collateral to acquire a loan of $75 from James Monroe Jones, Chatham\u2019s gunsmith, in 1850. This is a significant date, as it is the same year that the American government passed the Fugitive Slave Act. This was a new law passed by the American Congress on September 18th, 1850, which extended the reach of slavery into the free Northern states, and stated that former slaves living there could be returned to the bonds of slavery in the South once captured.[1]<\/sup><\/a> As a result, the Act led thousands of freedom-seekers to take refuge in Canada.[2]<\/sup><\/a> It is for these reasons that John Brown organized the Chatham Convention in 1858. After all, the\u00a0Fugitive Slave Act led to the largest wave of African-American emigration to Canada in the 1850s, with estimates ranging from 30 000 to 40 000 African-Americans arriving to Canada between 1850 and 1860.[3]<\/sup><\/a> Black abolitionists continued to fight the institution of slavery after settling in Canada. This is the reason why the gun of an infamous American <\/em>abolitionist is now situated in the small Canadian city of Chatham, Ontario. It was a hotbed of political activity, the home of the Chatham Vigilance Committee; an organization of men and women comprised both, of ordinary citizens, as well as freed, runaway or former slaves. It was the members of this committee and some others who joined Brown within the First Baptist Church, which was home to the Chatham Convention of May 8th to 10th, 1858.[4]<\/sup><\/a> It was here that Brown outlined and cemented his views on the functioning of American government and their dealing with the institution of slavery. The constitution was signed by all those in attendance and was a prelude to \u00a0Brown\u2019s raid on Harper\u2019s Ferry in October, 1859.<\/p>\n

The history of Brown\u2019s rifle also indicates another important aspect of Brown\u2019s life: his financial struggles. As mentioned earlier, by visiting the CKBHS, it was learned that this gun was actually used as collateral for Brown to receive a loan of $75, which would equate to approximately $2300 today when considering inflation, a substantial sum.[5]<\/sup><\/a> By exploring Brown\u2019s personal letters to his wife, Mary Ann Brown, the financial struggles are confirmed with Brown\u2019s own handwriting where he tells Mary, \u201cShall send you some money as soon as I can. It may be best to sell off much of the house.\u201d[6]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This letter was even more intriguing, as it signifies that even during Brown\u2019s successful organization of the Chatham Convention, he was facing extreme financial difficulties which is a testament to his character. For instance, he still includes in the same letter that he \u201chad a good abolition convention\u201d[7]<\/sup><\/a> and that the \u201cconstitution was amended and adopted.\u201d[8]<\/sup><\/a> Ultimately, it is fascinating to gain such insight into the mind of this abolitionist by following his efforts to find support, financial and otherwise, in African Canadian communities.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Researching Brown\u2019s gun has also enabled me to explore a number of historiographical debates surrounding Brown\u2019s motives, mentality, sanity and the American Civil War. Some \u00a0historians have labelled Brown as a terrorist or a tyrant for his extreme views and methods, while others considered him to be a devoted abolitionist whose views were in keeping with the political climate of sectional division and the expansion of conflict over slavery. \u00a0For example, a historian, Robert McGlone, focuses on the political history from the early to mid 19th century in order to understand Brown\u2019s use of violence for political ends. He centres on the May 1856 Sacking of Lawrence and other events at Pottawatomie Creek.[9]<\/sup><\/a> Another historian, Fraser Bell confirms the importance of this event, where Brown and his men murdered five pro-slavery sympathizers, even though none of the men killed turned out to be slave owners or to have committed acts of violence against free soil settlers.\u201d[10]<\/sup><\/a> He added that after these events, part of the period known as Bleeding Kansas, <\/em>Brown stated that, \u201cwhat is needed is action, action.\u201d[11]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 These acts of violence can be considered a precursor to Harper\u2019s Ferry, and in turn, the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.<\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s October 1859 raid on Harper\u2019s Ferry is an event that can be explored through the focus on Brown\u2019s gun due to the extreme use of violence. Brown led 22 men, a combination of black and white abolitionists, in a raid on the federal arsenal, \u00a0resulting in the deaths of 17 people including two of Brown\u2019s sons. Brown was arrested and convicted of treason, \u00a0and executed \u00a0on December 2nd, 1859.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s personal letters paint a picture of a loving and kind man who is loyal to his wife and family. Excerpts featured below would prove to be contesting evidence to the historiographical debates that claimed Brown lacked empathy and was a heartless terrorist. On the other hand, bias must be noted as these are all directed to his wife; \u00a0nonetheless the letters \u00a0demonstrate a man of deep emotion and understanding. This is clear when he writes, \u201cI shall write to you as often I can\u201d[13]<\/sup><\/a> and in the convention of signing \u00a0every letter with, \u201cYour Affectionate Husband and Father, John Brown.\u201d[14]<\/sup><\/a> One would think, however, that a husband would be more gentle and caring in telling his wife that two of her sons had died in his failed raid. For instance,\u00a0 Brown relays the information as if it was a letter from the military reporting to a mother that her son was lost in battle. His tone is \u00a0very forward and to the point: \u201cI suppose you have learned\u00a0 before this by the newspapers\u2026that during the fighting Watson was mortally wounded. Oliver killed, Thompson killed\u2026\u201d[15]<\/sup><\/a> Nonetheless, the opportunity to explore the\u00a0 historiographical debate surrounding Brown\u2019s state of mind is presented when confronted with the gun once owned by this controversial man.<\/p>\n

It is evident from my research that an object or artefact can divulge an incredible amount of information as it leads a historian down various paths, which mold the focus of the study. In this case, the gun of John Brown led me down the path of understanding his financial situation, the question of his sanity, the relationship of \u00a0the violent events in which he was involved to \u00a0the American Civil War, and finally, \u00a0the question of tyranny and his character. \u00a0I had the pleasure of analyzing these primary sources and considering their importance, sparked by a single artifact and the small note in the the CKBHS museum on on an 1850 financial transaction that involved a Marine Carbine Rifle.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> Reese, Renford. “Canada: The Promised Land for U.S. Slaves.”\u00a0Western Journal of Black Studies<\/em>\u00a035, no. 3 (2011): 209.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Hepburn, Sharon A. Roger. “Following the North Star: Canada as a Haven for Nineteenth-Century American Blacks.”\u00a0Michigan Historical Review<\/em>\u00a025, no. 2 (1999): 92. doi:10.2307\/20173830.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid, 93.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> Brown, John. John Brown to Mary Ann Brown, Chatham, Canada West, May 12th 1858. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Letter. West Virginia Archives and History.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> “Inflation Rate between 1850-2017 | Inflation Calculator.” $75 in 1850 \u2192 2017 | Inflation Calculator. Accessed March 15, 2018. http:\/\/www.in2013dollars.com\/1850-dollars-in-2017?amount=75.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> Brown, John. John Brown to Mary Ann Brown, Chatham, Canada West, May 12th 1858. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Letter. West Virginia Archives and History.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> McGlone, Robert E. John Brown<\/em>\u2019<\/em>s War Against Slavery. <\/em>Jefferson, New York: Cambridge \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 University Press, 2009. 34.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> Bell, Fraser. “God’s terrible avenger: John Brown and Liberty.” Queen’s Quarterly<\/em> 112, no. 3 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (2005): 341. Academic OneFile<\/em><\/p>\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid, 342.<\/p>\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> Earle, Jonathan Halperin.\u00a0John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. <\/em> Boston: Bedford\/St. Martin’s, 2008. 9.<\/p>\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> Brown, John. John Brown to Mary Ann Brown, Harper\u2019s Ferry, VA, October 31st \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1859, Letter. West Virginia Archives and History. http:\/\/www.wvculture.org\/history\/jbexhibit\/bbsms02-0044.html<\/p>\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

Bibliography<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bell, Fraser. “God’s terrible avenger: John Brown and liberty.” Queen’s Quarterly<\/em> 112, no. 3<\/p>\n

(2005): 340 – 351.<\/p>\n

Bison, Terry. “John Brown – 150 Years After Harpers Ferry.”\u00a0Monthly Review<\/em>\u00a061, no. 5 (2009):<\/p>\n

37-39.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brown, John. John Brown to Mary Ann Brown, Chatham, Canada West, May 12th 1858.<\/p>\n

Letter. West Virginia Archives and History. http:\/\/www.wvculture.org\/history\/<\/p>\n

jbexhibit\/bbsms02-0023.html<\/p>\n

Brown, John. John Brown to Mary Ann Brown, Harper\u2019s Ferry, VA, October 31\u00a0 1859, Letter. West Virginia Archives and History<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.wvculture.org\/history\/jbexhibit\/bbsms02-0044.html<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Earle, Jonathan Halperin.\u00a0John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. <\/em> Boston: Bedford\/St. Martin’s, 2008. 8-37.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hepburn, Sharon A. Roger. “Following the North Star: Canada as a Haven for Nineteenth-<\/p>\n

Century American Blacks.”\u00a0Michigan Historical Review<\/em>\u00a025, no. 2 (1999): 91-126.<\/p>\n

doi: 10.2307\/20173830.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

McGlone, Robert E. John Brown<\/em>\u2019<\/em>s War Against Slavery. <\/em>Jefferson, New York: Cambridge<\/p>\n

University Press, 2009. 1-9, 33-52.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reese, Renford. “Canada: The Promised Land for U.S. Slaves.”\u00a0Western Journal of Black <\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Studies<\/em>\u00a035, no. 3 (2011): 208-217.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 Aaron Levitin   Antislavery in Small Things Research Outcome: The Gun of John Brown. The focus of my analysis for our community-based research project centres upon a gun that once belonged to the notorious abolitionist figure, John Brown. When confronted with an object, an individual does not often consider the long history that might […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":199,"parent":413,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mc_calendar":[],"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-198","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/198\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/413"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/199"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huronresearch.ca\/antislavery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}