Jemmy

“Jemmy”. n.d, WashU & Slavery, accessed February 11, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.wustl.edu/s/washu-slavery/item/60177

Description

Jemmy was four months old when he and his mother, Sarah, were sold at a public auction the entrance of the St. Louis courthouse to settle the estate of their deceased enslaver, Eliza Brown. Henry Shaw purchased them at this auction for $600 on October 16, 1850.

Bio

Jemmy was four months old when he and his mother, Sarah, were sold at a public auction the entrance of the St. Louis courthouse to settle the estate of their deceased enslaver, Eliza Brown. Henry Shaw purchased them at this auction for $600 on October 16, 1850.

Birth Date

1850

Sex

Male

Child of

Sarah (Sally)

Referred to in

St. Louis Probate Court Record Book Volume N

Will and Testament of Henry Shaw [Voided], 1851 - to be added

Receipt from bounty hunter, Bernard Lynch to Henry Shaw for tracking and return of escaped enslaved person, Sarah and her child, dated June 17th, 1854

Enslaver

Henry Shaw

Linked resources

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Filter by resource type and property: Items: All Items: Enslaver Items: Parent of Items: Mentioned Person

Items with "Enslaver: Jemmy"

Henry Shaw

Items with "Parent of: Jemmy"

Sarah (Sally)

Items with "Mentioned Person: Jemmy"

1853 tax statement (personal property tax) to the City of Saint Louis from Henry Shaw stating his ownership of 11 enslaved persons.

Bill of sale for the purchase of Sarah and her infant child by Henry Shaw, October 1850

St. Louis Probate Court Record Book Volume N

The $400 reward ad placed by Henry Shaw in the Missouri Republican on June 11, 1854, for the return of escaped slave Sarah and her young son.

Will and Testament of Henry Shaw [Voided], 1851 - to be added

“Jemmy”. n.d, WashU & Slavery, accessed February 11, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.wustl.edu/s/washu-slavery/item/60177