| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revision |
| staff [2024/02/27 17:31] – bant07 | staff [2024/05/29 14:46] (current) – [Depictions] bant05 |
|---|
| This article explores the lives of men who were specifically known and mentioned by students during their time working at the College. As some students and alumni misremembered different men all as "Professor Jim," efforts are being made to identify and biography the individual men. Students knew and named them one way. However, their lives were faceted and rich beyond occupations which marginalized them. | This article explores the lives of men who were specifically known and mentioned by students during their time working at the College. As some students and alumni misremembered different men all as "Professor Jim," efforts are being made to identify and biography the individual men. Students knew and named them one way. However, their lives were faceted and rich beyond occupations which marginalized them. |
| |
| ===== James H. Williams (1797-1878) ===== | ===== James H. Williams (1787-1878) ===== |
| [{{:34506006.jpeg?300 |Portrait of James Williams, taken ca. 1875. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34506006 | [{{:34506006.jpeg?300 |Portrait of James Williams, taken ca. 1875. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34506006 |
| |Trinity College Archives]]}}] | |Trinity College Archives]]}}] |
| James H. Williams (called "Professor Jim") was the general factotum who worked in service of the College from about 1825 until his retirement in 1874. Outside of Trinity, Williams became a respected elder and was active in supporting the growth of the [[hartford|Hartford]] Black community. | James H. Williams (called "Professor Jim") was the general factotum who worked in service of the College from about 1825 until his retirement in 1874. Outside of Trinity, Williams became a respected elder and was active in supporting the growth of the [[hartford|Hartford]] Black community. |
| |
| Williams was born on August 3, 1788. His mother was Creole, enslaved by Col. John F. Robert in Yonkers, New York, and his father was a freedman "of Mr. Pugh" who worked in nearby stone quarries. ((//Hartford Courant//, 21 May 1878)) Robert was a friend of Aaron Burr's, and Williams would often recollect Burr's visits to the estate. Upon Robert's death in 1804, Williams was willed to the slave owner's daughter, who lived at 10 Dey Street, New York City. Williams' mother had been freed some years earlier and lived with her husband in Nyack. Williams' sister was a "maid" in the household who traveled with the family, and Williams was sent in the summers to work on a farm. ((Proctor, p. 21.)) | Williams was born on August 3, 1787. His mother was Creole, enslaved by Col. John F. Robert in Yonkers, New York, and his father was a freedman "of Mr. Pugh" who worked in nearby stone quarries. ((//Hartford Courant//, 21 May 1878)) Robert was a friend of Aaron Burr's, and Williams would often recollect Burr's visits to the estate. Upon Robert's death in 1804, Williams was willed to the slave owner's daughter, who lived at 10 Dey Street, New York City. Williams' mother had been freed some years earlier and lived with her husband in Nyack. Williams' sister was a "maid" in the household who traveled with the family, and Williams was sent in the summers to work on a farm. ((Proctor, p. 21)) |
| |
| //About a year into this enslavement, Williams found an opportunity to escape when Miss Robert sent him to work at a grocery store on Broadway. As shoppers moved in and out, Williams slipped away with a bundle of clothes and enough money to board a steamer.// ((Correia, "James Williams, More Than Trinity College's Janitor")) | //About a year into this enslavement, Williams found an opportunity to escape when Miss Robert sent him to work at a grocery store on Broadway. As shoppers moved in and out, Williams slipped away with a bundle of clothes and enough money to board a steamer.// ((Correia, "James Williams, More Than Trinity College's Janitor")) |
| Williams said that "during the earlier days of his career he was facetiously dubbed Professor, though when and by whom he does not recollect." ((Proctor, p. 46)) When referred to by students, he was almost exclusively called "Professor Jim" or "Prof. Jim." There are no records to show what Williams thought or felt about this subject aside from some comments from students, such as: "He has borne the title of Professor for a very long time. To what it really applies is not positively certain, but according to the venerable Professor's own explanation, he is 'Professor of Secrets.'" ((Trinity //Tablet//, April 1870, p. 51)) Williams was not fully literate, ((1870 United States Federal Census)) but he was able to work around his shortcomings when he could not read hymns or addresses on letters, without divulging the fact. ((Trinity //Tablet//, Dec. 21, 1892, p. 61)) | Williams said that "during the earlier days of his career he was facetiously dubbed Professor, though when and by whom he does not recollect." ((Proctor, p. 46)) When referred to by students, he was almost exclusively called "Professor Jim" or "Prof. Jim." There are no records to show what Williams thought or felt about this subject aside from some comments from students, such as: "He has borne the title of Professor for a very long time. To what it really applies is not positively certain, but according to the venerable Professor's own explanation, he is 'Professor of Secrets.'" ((Trinity //Tablet//, April 1870, p. 51)) Williams was not fully literate, ((1870 United States Federal Census)) but he was able to work around his shortcomings when he could not read hymns or addresses on letters, without divulging the fact. ((Trinity //Tablet//, Dec. 21, 1892, p. 61)) |
| |
| [{{ :img_6969.jpg?400|The first African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, ca. 1852. James H. Williams is listed among the Trustees. Photo Credit: Watkinson Library Special Collections.}}] | [{{ :img_6969.jpg?400|The first African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, ca. 1852. James H. Williams is listed among the Trustees. Photo Credit: Watkinson Library Special Collections}}] |
| |
| In the 1830s, during a period of racial tensions, riots and uprisings, Williams participated in the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and "took a leave of absence for a while from the College in order to devote some time to preaching the doctrines which had taken a strong hold upon him." ((Hartford Courant, 21 May 1878)) The Church was a center for Black culture and abolition, headed by Rev. Hosea Easton, who spoke out about racism, slavery, the African Colonization movement, and racial uplift. ((Beeching, p. 37)) The Church relocated to Pearl Street when Bushnell Park was constructed. Beside the new Church was the Black Public School. Williams was devoted to attending Church every Sunday with his wife and was a preacher there ((//The Evening Post//, May 21, 1878)). He also named his son Hosea, born in 1837, after the Reverend. ((1850 Federal Census)) Allegedly in 1839, when //La Amistad// was brought to New Haven to await trial, Williams went to visit the African men and preached to them. ((Hartford Courant, 21 May 1878)) | In the 1830s, during a period of racial tensions, riots and uprisings, Williams participated in the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and "took a leave of absence for a while from the College in order to devote some time to preaching the doctrines which had taken a strong hold upon him." ((Hartford Courant, 21 May 1878)) The Church was a center for Black culture and abolition, headed by Rev. Hosea Easton, who spoke out about racism, slavery, the African Colonization movement, and racial uplift. ((Beeching, p. 37)) The Church relocated to Pearl Street when Bushnell Park was constructed. Beside the new Church was the Black Public School. Williams was devoted to attending Church every Sunday with his wife and was a preacher there. ((//The Evening Post//, May 21, 1878)) He also named his son Hosea, born in 1837, after the Reverend. ((1850 Federal Census)) Allegedly in 1839, when //La Amistad// was brought to New Haven to await trial, Williams went to visit the African men and preached to them. ((Hartford Courant, 21 May 1878)) |
| |
| In 1859, along with Holdridge Primus, he became a charter member of the Hartford lodge of Prince Hall Masons. ((Beeching, p. 56)) By all accounts, Williams was "always courtly and dignified in his bearing not only on public occasions, but also as he walked about the streets or attended to his regular duties at the college, bowing to his many friends and having a pleasant word for each." ((//The Evening Post//, May 21, 1878)) | In 1859, along with Holdridge Primus, he became a charter member of the Hartford lodge of Prince Hall Masons. ((Beeching, p. 56)) By all accounts, Williams was "always courtly and dignified in his bearing not only on public occasions, but also as he walked about the streets or attended to his regular duties at the college, bowing to his many friends and having a pleasant word for each." ((//The Evening Post//, May 21, 1878)) |
| While in service to the College for over 40 years, Williams ascended to the position of Head Janitor. His duties included bell-ringing, sweeping the students' rooms and maintaining their order, summoning students to appear before faculty members due to misbehavior, and attendance at [[class_day|Class Day]], where he would lead the procession with the Class President, fill the students' pipes, make punch from a [[lemon_squeezer|lemon squeezer]] and recite a send-off speech. The original 1857 lemon squeezer, which was passed from class to class, is said to be an oversized replica of Williams'. At Class Day, the students would hold the "Presentation to Professor Jim," in which they gave a gift, typically a purse of money, though in other years, he was gifted a watch (1869) and a gold-headed cane. The students also annually raised money to purchase a Thanksgiving turkey for Williams, "a slight token of the kind feelings which the students still cherish toward him. It is a pension raised by the gratitude and love of the students." ((Trinity Tablet, November 16, 1876, p. 129)) | While in service to the College for over 40 years, Williams ascended to the position of Head Janitor. His duties included bell-ringing, sweeping the students' rooms and maintaining their order, summoning students to appear before faculty members due to misbehavior, and attendance at [[class_day|Class Day]], where he would lead the procession with the Class President, fill the students' pipes, make punch from a [[lemon_squeezer|lemon squeezer]] and recite a send-off speech. The original 1857 lemon squeezer, which was passed from class to class, is said to be an oversized replica of Williams'. At Class Day, the students would hold the "Presentation to Professor Jim," in which they gave a gift, typically a purse of money, though in other years, he was gifted a watch (1869) and a gold-headed cane. The students also annually raised money to purchase a Thanksgiving turkey for Williams, "a slight token of the kind feelings which the students still cherish toward him. It is a pension raised by the gratitude and love of the students." ((Trinity Tablet, November 16, 1876, p. 129)) |
| |
| During the late 1860s and early 1870s, as he advanced in age, the students expressed concern for Williams' health ((Trinity Tablet, Dec. 1873, p. 144)) and for memorializing him. Williams was apt to share his life's stories with students over the decades ((Tomes, p. 55)), and articles began appearing in the //[[tablet|Trinity Tablet]]// detailing his experiences and asking the College to support him financially. In 1870, a Tablet article appeared urging the Trustees that "a pension of ample amount should be settled upon him." ((Trinity //Tablet//, April 1870, p.51)) When Williams received a letter from a childhood acquaintance which allowed him to determine the year he was born, students published this information. ((Trinity //Tablet//, May 1874)) The story was also published in the //Hartford Courant// ((April 2, 1874)). | During the late 1860s and early 1870s, as he advanced in age, the students expressed concern for Williams' health ((Trinity Tablet, Dec. 1873, p. 144)) and for memorializing him. Williams was apt to share his life's stories with students over the decades, ((Tomes, p. 55)) and articles began appearing in the //[[tablet|Trinity Tablet]]// detailing his experiences and asking the College to support him financially. In 1870, a Tablet article appeared urging the Trustees that "a pension of ample amount should be settled upon him." ((Trinity //Tablet//, April 1870, p. 51)) When Williams received a letter from a childhood acquaintance which allowed him to determine the year he was born, students published this information. ((Trinity //Tablet//, May 1874)) The story was also published in the //Hartford Courant//. ((April 2, 1874)) |
| |
| Eventually, the students' wish to cement Williams in memory turned formal when Williams recounted his life to Charles Proctor, Class of 1873, and his biography was published that year. The book, published in pamphlet forms, was sold for 50 cents, "the entire profits to be given to the professor." ((//Hartford Courant//, 25 Mar 1873)) Lithographs of "Prof. Jim" were also printed and sold, copies of which remain in the College Archives. Williams' financial compensation from these sales remains to be investigated. | Eventually, the students' wish to cement Williams in memory turned formal when Williams recounted his life to Charles Proctor, Class of 1873, and his biography was published that year. The book, published in pamphlet forms, was sold for 50 cents, "the entire profits to be given to the professor." ((//Hartford Courant//, 25 Mar 1873)) Lithographs of "Prof. Jim" were also printed and sold, copies of which remain in the College Archives. Williams' financial compensation from these sales remains to be investigated. |
| |
| Williams retired from his janitorial duties in 1874 with a pension ((Trinity Tablet, October 1874, p. 147)), though students recalled that he would still spend time on the College grounds and was still present at Class Day exercises. Williams also turned sod at the [[summit_campus|new campus]] groundbreaking in 1875, though he did not live to see it built. | Williams retired from his janitorial duties in 1874 with a pension, ((Trinity Tablet, October 1874, p. 147)) though students recalled that he would still spend time on the College grounds and was still present at Class Day exercises. Williams also turned sod at the [[summit_campus|new campus]] groundbreaking in 1875, though he did not live to see it built. |
| |
| James Williams died at his home on May 20, 1878, and funeral services were held by [[williams_john|Bishop Williams]] at the [[chapel|College Chapel]]. The funeral was attended by students, faculty, alumni, and many members of the Black community, and one student recalled that never had he seen a funeral with "such genuine honor." Williams is buried in the Old North Cemetery in Hartford; his grave is marked by a Portland brownstone marker donated by the College alumni. It was hewn from one of the old [[seabury_hall_old_campus|Chapel's]] column bases. The stone, designed by W.C. Brocklesby, Class of 1869, read "Faithful Over a Few Things." In the 1930s, [[ogilby_remsen_brinckerhoff|President Ogilby]] noted that the old tombstone was beginning to fall into disrepair, and the Trinity alumni raised funds for a new stone to replace it. | James Williams died at his home on May 20, 1878, and funeral services were held by [[williams_john|Bishop Williams]] at the [[chapel|College Chapel]]. The funeral was attended by students, faculty, alumni, and many members of the Black community, and one student recalled that never had he seen a funeral with "such genuine honor." Williams is buried in the Old North Cemetery in Hartford; his grave is marked by a Portland brownstone marker donated by the College alumni. It was hewn from one of the old [[seabury_hall_old_campus|Chapel's]] column bases. The stone, designed by W.C. Brocklesby, Class of 1869, read "Faithful Over a Few Things." In the 1930s, [[ogilby_remsen_brinckerhoff|President Ogilby]] noted that the old tombstone was beginning to fall into disrepair, and the Trinity alumni raised funds for a new stone to replace it. |
| ===== William C. Adams (1831-1902) ===== | ===== William C. Adams (1831-1902) ===== |
| |
| [{{ :10.2307_community.34506007-1.jpg?200|William C. Adams in about 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] | [{{:10.2307_community.34506007-1.jpg?200 |William C. Adams, ca. 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] |
| |
| William C. Adams was born in Maryland in 1831 and arrived in Hartford in about 1841. He joined the College staff to assist James Williams in 1849. As Williams aged and his physical health declined, Adams took over the Class Day duties of serving punch. He also cared for some of the students' rooms, and did "general outside work." | William C. Adams was born in Maryland in 1831 and arrived in Hartford in about 1841. He joined the College staff to assist James Williams in 1849. As Williams aged and his physical health declined, Adams took over the Class Day duties of serving punch. He also cared for some of the students' rooms, and did "general outside work." |
| ===== Benjamin Franklin Anderson (1838-1887) ===== | ===== Benjamin Franklin Anderson (1838-1887) ===== |
| |
| [{{:10.2307_community.34506008-1.jpg?200 |Benjamin Franklin Anderson in about 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] | [{{ :10.2307_community.34506008-1.jpg?200|Benjamin Franklin Anderson, ca. 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] |
| |
| Benjamin Franklin Anderson, called "Franklin" in College publications, was purportedly born in the South in 1838. He was hired to assist Williams and Adams in 1867, as Williams was in failing health. “A large part of the Janitor’s duties–-in fact, nearly all except the ringing of the bell and the care of the chapel–fell to his lot at once.” When Williams died in 1878, Anderson was made Head Janitor. He was married to a woman named Eliza Jane. | Benjamin Franklin Anderson, called "Franklin" in College publications, was purportedly born in the South in 1838. He was hired to assist Williams and Adams in 1867, as Williams was in failing health. “A large part of the Janitor’s duties–-in fact, nearly all except the ringing of the bell and the care of the chapel–fell to his lot at once.” When Williams died in 1878, Anderson was made Head Janitor. He was married to a woman named Eliza Jane. |
| |
| ===== Adolphus A. Hall (abt. 1847-1922) ===== | ===== Adolphus A. Hall (abt. 1847-1922) ===== |
| [{{ :10.2307_community.34506009-1_1_.jpg?200|Adolphus A. Hall in about 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] | [{{ :10.2307_community.34506009-1_1_.jpg?200|Adolphus A. Hall, ca. 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] |
| |
| Adolphus A. Hall was born between 1846 and 1848 in Washington D.C. to William W and Minty Jane Keys [it is unknown whether he was enslaved]. He appears in a student's 1873-1875 photograph album, labeled in handwriting as "Adolphus." He was a member of the Trinity College staff between about 1873 and 1883. | Adolphus A. Hall was born between 1846 and 1848 in Washington D.C. to William W and Minty Jane Keys [it is unknown whether he was enslaved]. He appears in a student's 1873-1875 photograph album, labeled in handwriting as "Adolphus." He was a member of the Trinity College staff between about 1873 and 1883. |
| |
| In 1870, Adolphus was 22 years old, living and working as a Hostler for Moses Weld Terrill in Middlefield, Connecticut. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4263321_00431?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX15&_phstart=successSource&pId=1188511|1870 Federal Census]])) By 1877, he was a "janitor" for Trinity College and living at 10 Gold Street. ((//Geer's Hartford City Directory,// 1877)). By 1880-1881, Hall was working as a "waiter" and lived with his wife, Jennie, and nine-year-old daughter, Florence, at 299 Allyn Street. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4240009-00344?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX1&_phstart=successSource&pId=24570451|1880 Federal Census]] and [[https://digitalcatalog.chs.org/islandora/object/40002%3A105409#page/80/mode/1up|Geer's Hartford City Directory, 1881]])) An 1880 census, taken of "Summit Street," lists Adolphus Hall (34) among other men of color working as "waiters" beneath a list of student names. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4240009-00621?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX2&_phstart=successSource&pId=44624965|Federal census, 1880]])) By 1883, Adolphus and Jennie were separated, and Jennie was living at Ann Street. | In 1870, Adolphus was 22 years old, living and working as a Hostler for Moses Weld Terrill in Middlefield, Connecticut. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4263321_00431?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX15&_phstart=successSource&pId=1188511|1870 Federal Census]])) By 1877, he was a "janitor" for Trinity College and living at 10 Gold Street. ((//Geer's Hartford City Directory,// 1877)) By 1880-1881, Hall was working as a "waiter" and lived with his wife, Jennie, and nine-year-old daughter, Florence, at 299 Allyn Street. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4240009-00344?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX1&_phstart=successSource&pId=24570451|1880 Federal Census]] and [[https://digitalcatalog.chs.org/islandora/object/40002%3A105409#page/80/mode/1up|Geer's Hartford City Directory, 1881]])) An 1880 census, taken of "Summit Street," lists Adolphus Hall (34) among other men of color working as "waiters" beneath a list of student names. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4240009-00621?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX2&_phstart=successSource&pId=44624965|Federal census, 1880]])) By 1883, Adolphus and Jennie were separated, and Jennie was living at Ann Street. |
| |
| At some point, Adolphus removed to Massachusetts. He met Mary or "Nellie" Molineaux, who had immigrated to the United States from Prince Edward Island in 1885; they married in 1889 (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/2511/images/41262_b139361-00069?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX69&_phstart=successSource&pId=2427227|Massachusetts Marriage Records.]])) (Adolphus is described as "col'd" and Mary/Nellie as "white."). Adolphus held occupations as coachman, stable keeper, and janitor at this time. In 1900, The household included Adolphus, Mary and her mother, Elizabeth Molineaux (both of whom are listed as "white"), along with five living children: Gertrude (Jan. 1889), Fred (Sept. 1891, born Adolphus Hall II), (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/5062/images/41262_b139374-00383?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX58&_phstart=successSource&pId=1405927|Massachusetts Birth Records]])) Charles (July 1893), Marion (Dec. 1895) and Edna Mae (July 1898), all of whom are described as Black. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4113827_00545?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX56&_phstart=successSource&pId=79060800|1900 Federal census]])) The census implies that a sixth child was born but by 1900 is deceased. In January 1909, Edna Mae would die at the age of 10 from "tubercular meningitis;" she is buried in Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/2101/images/41262_b140192-00122?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX70&_phstart=successSource&pId=546027|Massachusetts Death Records]])) The family home at this time was 5 School Street, Lawrence, MA. | At some point, Adolphus removed to Massachusetts. He met Mary or "Nellie" Molineaux, who had immigrated to the United States from Prince Edward Island in 1885; they married in 1889 (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/2511/images/41262_b139361-00069?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX69&_phstart=successSource&pId=2427227|Massachusetts Marriage Records]])) (Adolphus is described as "col'd" and Mary/Nellie as "white."). Adolphus held occupations as coachman, stable keeper, and janitor at this time. In 1900, The household included Adolphus, Mary and her mother, Elizabeth Molineaux (both of whom are listed as "white"), along with five living children: Gertrude (Jan. 1889), Fred (Sept. 1891, born Adolphus Hall II), (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/5062/images/41262_b139374-00383?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX58&_phstart=successSource&pId=1405927|Massachusetts Birth Records]])) Charles (July 1893), Marion (Dec. 1895) and Edna Mae (July 1898), all of whom are described as Black. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4113827_00545?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX56&_phstart=successSource&pId=79060800|1900 Federal census]])) The census implies that a sixth child was born but by 1900 is deceased. In January 1909, Edna Mae would die at the age of 10 from "tubercular meningitis;" she is buried in Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. (([[https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/imageviewer/collections/2101/images/41262_b140192-00122?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNX70&_phstart=successSource&pId=546027|Massachusetts Death Records]])) The family home at this time was 5 School Street, Lawrence, MA. |
| |
| Adolphus died on October 24, 1922 at the age of 73. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, MA. (([[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C34V-9STC-R?i=83&cc=1928860|Massachusetts State Vital Records]])) | Adolphus died on October 24, 1922 at the age of 73. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, MA. (([[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C34V-9STC-R?i=83&cc=1928860|Massachusetts State Vital Records]])) |
| ===== "Professor John" ===== | ===== "Professor John" ===== |
| |
| [{{:10.2307_community.34506010-1.jpg?200 |Image of unidentified man labled "Prof. John" in about 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives.}}] | [{{:10.2307_community.34506010-1.jpg?200 |Image of unidentified man labled "Prof. John," ca. 1875. Photo Credit: Trinity College Archives}}] |
| |
| An unidentified Black man appears in a student's 1873-1875 photograph album, labeled in handwriting as "Prof. John." It is possible that this man's surname was Hollingsworth. ((Trinity Tablet, April 1872, p. 59)) | An unidentified Black man appears in a student's 1873-1875 photograph album, labeled in handwriting as "Prof. John." It is possible that this man's surname was Hollingsworth. ((Trinity Tablet, April 1872, p. 59)) |
| During the early- to mid-19th century in the North, "Africans and Native Americans were seen and treated as servants and inferior beings. Race prejudice was firmly in place" and these men "became a fixture in the workplace...through unfailing deference to whites." ((Beeching, p. 70)) In the 1830s, Edward Abdy observed that "there is, perhaps, no city, containing the same amount of population, where the blacks meet with more contumely and unkindness than at this place [Hartford, Conn.]. Some of them told me it was hardly safe for them to be in the streets alone at night." ((Beeching, p. 17)) | During the early- to mid-19th century in the North, "Africans and Native Americans were seen and treated as servants and inferior beings. Race prejudice was firmly in place" and these men "became a fixture in the workplace...through unfailing deference to whites." ((Beeching, p. 70)) In the 1830s, Edward Abdy observed that "there is, perhaps, no city, containing the same amount of population, where the blacks meet with more contumely and unkindness than at this place [Hartford, Conn.]. Some of them told me it was hardly safe for them to be in the streets alone at night." ((Beeching, p. 17)) |
| |
| {{ :prof._jim.png?400|Lithograph of "Prof. Jim," by D.W. Kellogg & Co. Photo Credit: [[http://emuseum.chs.org/emuseum/objects/3046/prof-jim?ctx=61a695c42886edc2890fe4922fbb4d52b3c4645b&idx=0|Connecticut Museum of Culture and History]].}} | [{{ :prof._jim.png?400|Lithograph of "Prof. Jim," by D.W. Kellogg & Co. Photo Credit: [[http://emuseum.chs.org/emuseum/objects/3046/prof-jim?ctx=61a695c42886edc2890fe4922fbb4d52b3c4645b&idx=0|Connecticut Museum of Culture and History]]}}] |
| |
| Students nicknamed the men who worked at Trinity facetiously, "mocking their lowly status" ((Beeching, p. 6)) with nicknames like "Professor Jim" for James Williams and "Uncle Billy" for William Adams. This callousness was ubiquitous for the white students who viewed Williams, Adams, and others as their subordinates. As one student wrote, "Whatever were Jim's capabilities and character, his circumstances were such as to render the chance of his ever becoming the president of a college, or the chief officer of a corporation, a moral impossibility." ((Trinity //Tablet//, June 8, 1878, p. 74)) | Students nicknamed the men who worked at Trinity facetiously, "mocking their lowly status" ((Beeching, p. 6)) with nicknames like "Professor Jim" for James Williams and "Uncle Billy" for William Adams. This callousness was ubiquitous for the white students who viewed Williams, Adams, and others as their subordinates. As one student wrote, "Whatever were Jim's capabilities and character, his circumstances were such as to render the chance of his ever becoming the president of a college, or the chief officer of a corporation, a moral impossibility." ((Trinity //Tablet//, June 8, 1878, p. 74)) |
| Students described Williams as the "genial janitor," ((Trinity Tablet, April 1908)) active and mirthful, never missing a day of work, keen to keep their secrets. Many others noted his infallible memory and capacity for details of all the people he had known in life. ((Hartford Courant, 21 May 1878)) They remembered his “humorous smile,” wit, and “sparkling eyes," but also "devotion and fidelity common to his race." ((Trinity Tablet, April 1870)) | Students described Williams as the "genial janitor," ((Trinity Tablet, April 1908)) active and mirthful, never missing a day of work, keen to keep their secrets. Many others noted his infallible memory and capacity for details of all the people he had known in life. ((Hartford Courant, 21 May 1878)) They remembered his “humorous smile,” wit, and “sparkling eyes," but also "devotion and fidelity common to his race." ((Trinity Tablet, April 1870)) |
| |
| Like the lithograph depicts him with the tools of the janitorial job, Williams was best known as Trinity's "most faithful servitor." Servitor, which literally means "male servant," was a word that could refer to janitorial work, but also could reinforce societal inferiority, as "servant" was a common euphemism for slave. "Jim" was praised for the number of years he worked diligently at the College; he was "humble," "trusty," and "punctual," happy to work hard and loyal to his white employers. The Trinity students said that "he is a living example of those venerable stewards...in a service of inflexible attachment to their lords, and of unswerving devotion to their interests." It is this that the students say is "no juster claim" to a reward of comfort, repose, and financial stability, "so ought Trinity to honor Prof. Jim" at the end of his life. "In the undeviating fulfillment of his humble capacity, he has been a hero, unnoticed perhaps here, but recognized above." ((Trinity //Tablet//, April 1870, p. 51-52)) The use of the word "hero" mirrors Donald Bogle in his book //Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks// (1994): "Always as toms are chased, harassed, hounded, flogged, enslaved, and insulted, they keep the faith, n'er turn against their white massas, and remain hearty, submissive, stoic, generous, selfless, and oh-so-very kind. Thus they endear themselves to white audiences and emerge as heroes of sorts." (pp. 5-6). | Like the lithograph depicts him with the tools of the janitorial job, Williams was best known as Trinity's "most faithful servitor." Servitor, which literally means "male servant," was a word that could refer to janitorial work, but also could reinforce societal inferiority, as "servant" was a common euphemism for slave. "Jim" was praised for the number of years he worked diligently at the College; he was "humble," "trusty," and "punctual," happy to work hard and loyal to his white employers. The Trinity students said that "he is a living example of those venerable stewards...in a service of inflexible attachment to their lords, and of unswerving devotion to their interests." It is this that the students say is "no juster claim" to a reward of comfort, repose, and financial stability, "so ought Trinity to honor Prof. Jim" at the end of his life. "In the undeviating fulfillment of his humble capacity, he has been a hero, unnoticed perhaps here, but recognized above." ((Trinity //Tablet//, April 1870, pp. 51-52)) The use of the word "hero" mirrors Donald Bogle in his book //Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks// (1994): "Always as toms are chased, harassed, hounded, flogged, enslaved, and insulted, they keep the faith, n'er turn against their white massas, and remain hearty, submissive, stoic, generous, selfless, and oh-so-very kind. Thus they endear themselves to white audiences and emerge as heroes of sorts." (pp. 5-6). |
| |
| At the time of Williams' funeral, an article appeared in the //Tablet// in which a student ruminates on why he, "the man of low estate," was so revered and respected "not only by his equals, but by those who were more than his equals." The student concluded that it was "first, the force of strong character; and, secondly, the influence | At the time of Williams' funeral, an article appeared in the //Tablet// in which a student ruminates on why he, "the man of low estate," was so revered and respected "not only by his equals, but by those who were more than his equals." The student concluded that it was "first, the force of strong character; and, secondly, the influence |
| //Hopes and Expectations: The Origins of the Black Middle Class in Hartford// (2016) by Barbara J. Beeching. | //Hopes and Expectations: The Origins of the Black Middle Class in Hartford// (2016) by Barbara J. Beeching. |
| |
| //[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/2|Trinity College in the Twentieth Century]]// (2000) by Peter and Anne Knapp. | [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/43671189|“Personal Names: Embodiment, Differentiation, Exclusion, and Belonging"]] (2014) by Gisli Palsson, pp. 619, 624-626. |
| |
| [[https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/tom/homepage.htm|"The Tom Caricature"]] (2000, 2012) by Dr. David Pilgrim, Professor of Sociology, Ferris State University. Accessed via the Jim Crow Museum. | [[https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/tom/homepage.htm|"The Tom Caricature"]] (2000, 2012) by Dr. David Pilgrim, Professor of Sociology, Ferris State University. Accessed via the Jim Crow Museum. |
| |
| [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/43671189|“Personal Names: Embodiment, Differentiation, Exclusion, and Belonging"]] (2014) by Gisli Palsson, pp. 619, 624-626. | //[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/2|Trinity College in the Twentieth Century]]// (2000) by Peter and Anne Knapp. |
| |
| //[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/4|History of Trinity College]]// (1967) by Glenn Weaver. | //[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/4|History of Trinity College]]// (1967) by Glenn Weaver. |
