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Identifier
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NJS-SRC-00607
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Source Type
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Article
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Headline
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KIDNAPPING
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Publication
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Centinel of Freedom
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Date of Issue
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June 9, 1818
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Page
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2-3
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Description
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The June 9, 1818, issue of the Newark, NJ, newspaper Centinel of Freedom contained two items related to Jacob Van Wickle's slave trading ring on pages 2 and 3.
First was an article headlined "KIDNAPPING," which was reprinted from the Philadelphia newspaper called the Franklin Gazette. This article implicated Jacob Van Wickle, Nicholas Van Wickle, Charles Morgan, and Peter Ferron Hendry in kidnapping and human trafficking. Judge Jacob Van Wickle's "house on South River, about 8 miles from South Amboy" was described as the location where about thirty Black people were held under guard "almost like a garrison" awaiting departure to the South.
Second was an item reprinted from the New Brunswick Fredonian: a brief rebuttal from Jacob Van Wickle, stating that "he is preparing for the press documents" that would vindicate him and clear him of the aforementioned accusations.
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See also a separate third article titled "FEMALE KIDNAPPERS!!" (a report from Delaware) which appeared on page 3 in the same issue of the Centinel of Freedom.
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Transcript
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[page 2]
From the Franklin (Phil.) Gazette.
KIDNAPPING.
We are authorized, by a gentleman of unimpeachable honor and veracity, to state the following facts; and we fell at a loss to find time adequate to express our indignation and horror at the cupidity and barbarity which they display. Our informant states, that a black boy belonging to him, some months ago, eloped from his service, but not very anxious to recover him, he took the usual precaution of advertising a small reward for his apprehension. He heard nothing of the runaway for a considerable time; and the first information was from a person who offered to purchase his time. The master declining the offer, and upon enquiry, found that the person proposing to buy the boy, had already kidnapped and sold him, to be transported as a slave to the southward!!!
With a zeal and humanity which reflect honor upon his character, he immediately made arrangements for the recovery of the unfortunate boy, and he was not only successful in reclaiming his servant from the foulest bondage, but has ben the instrument, under Providence, of exposing a scene of villainy almost unexampled.
[page 3]
The officer who was despatched for the purpose, reached a house on South River, about 8 miles from South Amboy, occupied or owned by a Jacob Vanwickle, (magistrate.) The house was almost like a garrison, so well was it guarded and watched. But the officer made his way, and reclaimed the boy, just on the eve, with about thirty others of different ages, of being consigned to a perpetual and cruel slavery.
We are requested to state, that this abominable traffic in human flesh is carried on by men holding offices of respectability and trust, & that Jacob Vanwickle, a magistrate, & Nicholas Vanwickle, his son, and Charles Morgan, his son-in-law, are knowing to be aiding and assisting, and even the purchasers in this nefarious business. Peter Ferron Henry of West Windsor, well known in New-Jersey, has sold several negroes as slaves for life to the persons just named, and is the person who kidnapped and sold them the servant of our informant, whose name is at the service of any person complaining of this article; and we request publishers throughout the United States to give the foregoing an insertion.
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From the New-Brunswick Fredonian.
JACOB VAN WICKE, Esq. who has been strongly censured in certain publications for alleged mal-conduct relative to the purchase and sending out of the state of certain blacks, requests us to state, that he is preparing for the press documents which he trusts will be considered a conclusive refutation of the statements in question, and complete vindication of his character.
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Language
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English
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Keywords
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Van Wickle slave trading ring
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kidnapping
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slave trade
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Record Contributor
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Jesse Bayker
Report of human trafficking in South River, New Jersey, implicating Jacob Van Wickle and associates