Folk Figure. African-American fugitive slave whose rescue by abolitionists from federal marshals in Boston in 1851 created a political crisis over enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Born in Norfolk, Virginia (the exact year is not certain), Minkins escaped from slavery in Norfolk in 1850 to settle in Boston, where he became a waiter. Later that year, Congress enacted the Fugitive Slave Law, which allowed federal agents to seize escaped slaves living in free states such as Massachusetts and return them to their owners. United States marshals arrested Minkins on February 15, 1851; but he was rescued by members of the anti-slavery Boston Vigilance Committee, who used force to take him from the marshals. From Boston, Minkins was spirited to Canada, where he settled in Montreal. The rescue of Minkins brought calls for President Millard Fillmore to use federal troops to help marshals enforce the law. Fillmore's response, however, was a cautious proclamation calling on the citizens of Boston to respect the law and aid in recapturing Minkins. Fillmore also ordered Minkins' liberators to be prosecuted. This incident in his home state deeply embarrassed Secretary of State Daniel Webster, who hoped to be elected President in 1852 with Southern support. Safe in Canada, Minkins worked first as a waiter, then operated restaurants of his own and finally became a barber. He married in 1853 or 1854. He and his wife Mary had four children, two of whom, Mary and Jacob, survived. Minkins died in Montreal and is buried in an unmarked grave in Mount Royal Cemetery.
Folk Figure. African-American fugitive slave whose rescue by abolitionists from federal marshals in Boston in 1851 created a political crisis over enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Born in Norfolk, Virginia (the exact year is not certain), Minkins escaped from slavery in Norfolk in 1850 to settle in Boston, where he became a waiter. Later that year, Congress enacted the Fugitive Slave Law, which allowed federal agents to seize escaped slaves living in free states such as Massachusetts and return them to their owners. United States marshals arrested Minkins on February 15, 1851; but he was rescued by members of the anti-slavery Boston Vigilance Committee, who used force to take him from the marshals. From Boston, Minkins was spirited to Canada, where he settled in Montreal. The rescue of Minkins brought calls for President Millard Fillmore to use federal troops to help marshals enforce the law. Fillmore's response, however, was a cautious proclamation calling on the citizens of Boston to respect the law and aid in recapturing Minkins. Fillmore also ordered Minkins' liberators to be prosecuted. This incident in his home state deeply embarrassed Secretary of State Daniel Webster, who hoped to be elected President in 1852 with Southern support. Safe in Canada, Minkins worked first as a waiter, then operated restaurants of his own and finally became a barber. He married in 1853 or 1854. He and his wife Mary had four children, two of whom, Mary and Jacob, survived. Minkins died in Montreal and is buried in an unmarked grave in Mount Royal Cemetery.
Bio by: Michael Walter
Advertisement
See more Minkins memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
