TIME MACHINE: The Arrest and Trial of Sara Lucy Bagby

TIME MACHINE: THE ARREST AND TRIAL OF SARA LUCY BAGBY

One hundred and sixty-one years ago, an African American woman named Sara Lucy Bagby became the last fugitive slave the last person in the United States forced to return to slavery in the South under the Fugitive Slave Act before the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War. Her arrest proved to be one of the last incidents before the Fort Sumter bombardment in South Carolina.

Sometime in 1843, Sara Lucy or “Lucy” was born in Virginia – probably in Richmond. A slave trader named Robert Alois sold “Lucy” to a citizen of Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) named John Goshorn on January 16, 1852. Goshorn transferred ownership of Lucy to his son, William Scott Goshorn, on November 8, 1857. Lucy finally discovered her chance to escape from Virginia on October 3, 1860; after William Goshorn had departed for a business trip to Minnesota.

Although pregnant at the time, Lucy made her escape by crossing the Ohio River into Pennsylvania. With the help of the Underground Railroad, Lucy arrived in Beaver, Pennsylvania before moving to Pittsburgh. She created a story that Goshorn’s daughter, Isabella, had brought her up north and into Pennsylvania where she freed Lucy because they were in a free state. Lucy finally settled in Cleveland where she became a domestic servant at Congressman-Elect Albert G. Riddle‘s household. However, by early January, Lucy found herself working in the home of professional jeweler Lucius A. Benton. William Goshorn managed to track down Lucy’s whereabouts and arrived in Cleveland on January 16, 1861. Three days later on January 19, Goshorn, his son and the U.S. marshals appeared at Benton’s home and arrested Lucy, evoking the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

While Lucy spent five days waiting for her trial inside a jail at Cleveland’s Federal building, some people tried to ensure her escape or release. Many from the city’s African-American community plotted to help her escape from jail. Some kept vigil outside her cell. Sixty black men tried to break into the building and free Lucy, but were beaten back by the police armed with clubs. William E. Ambush, Chairman of the Fugitive Aid Society, tried to raise $1,200 to purchase Lucy from Goshorn, but the latter refused to sell her.

Cleveland was considered a pro-abolitionist community by the end of the 1850s. In fact, during the last two or three decades, Northern Ohio was regarded as a stronghold of abolitionist sentiment in that part of the country. However, Lucy had been arrested during a period known as the Secession Winter – the time between Abraham Lincoln’s election in November 1860 and inauguration, when some of the Deep South states had broken away from the Union to form the Confederacy States of America. By the time of Lucy’s arrest in Cleveland, four states had seceded – South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia. The latter seceded on the day of Lucy’s arrest. Instead of pushing for Lucy’s release or escape, the majority of Cleveland’s white community were more interested in upholding the Fugitive Slave Act. Many helped the local law enforcement prevent the city’s black community from trying to free Lucy. The majority of the city’s white citizens had hoped cooperation with Goshorn and the Federal government would restore the Union and convince the seceded states and the rest of the South that the North was not interested in abolishing slavery. In fact, Goshorn had expressed gratitude toward the city for its citizen’s kind treatment in the following comment published in The Cleveland Herald:

“Before leaving Cleveland for home, we feel it a duty to the citizens of Cleveland, as well as to ourselves, to express our unfeigned gratitude for the uniform kindness with which we have been treated. Nothing but courtesy has been shown us by all of your citizens, who have even shielded us from the insults of your colored population — as an instance of which we will refer to an incident which occured this morning at the breakfast table of the Weddell House. A negro waiter refused to serve us, and upon the fact being known to Col Ross, the proprietor of the House, the waiter was promptly discharged, and ordered to leave the house.”

On January 23, 1861; Lucy was brought before Probate Judge Daniel R. Tilden. A.G. Riddle, C.W. Palmer and Rufus P. Spalding, a former member of the Ohio Supreme Court, served as her counsel. Since the Goshorns had all the documents proving ownership of Lucy, Tilden had no choice but to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act, much to the dismay of Cleveland’s black community and those white citizens who had supported her. Following the trial, U.S. marshals escorted Lucy and the Goshorns on the train journey back to Wheeling, Virginia. A plot to rescue her by a large group of black supporters was discovered. The train’s conductor thwarted the attempt by skipping the scheduled stop where the rescue was to occur.

Lucy faced punishment by the Goshorns upon their return to Virginia. Later, her child shared her fate of being born into slavery. The efforts of the majority of Cleveland’s white citizens proved to be in vain. Their support of William and John Goshorn did not save the Union from breaking apart. Two more states – Louisiana and Texas – had seceded by February 1, 1861. One week later, the Confederate States of America formed in Montgomery, Alabama. Civil war broke out following the Confederacy’s bombardment of the U.S. fortification, Fort Sumter between April 12 and 13, 1861. And four more states – Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee – left the Union between April and June 1861.

While traveling south with her owner in 1863, an encounter with a Union Army officer and his troops resulted in Lucy’s permanent freedom. She and her child traveled north to Pittsburgh and lived there for several years. She married a Union Army veteran named George Johnson after the war. Later, Lucy and her family settled in Cleveland for good. In 1906, Lucy finally passed away at the age of seventy-three (73).

Five Favorite Episodes of “GAME OF THRONES” Season Four (2014)

Below is a list of my favorite episodes from Season Four of “GAME OF THRONES”, HBO’s adaptation of the second half of George R. R. Martin’s 2000 novel from his A Song of Ice and Fire series, “A Storm of Swords”. The series was created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss:

“FIVE FAVORITE EPISODES OF “GAME OF THRONES” SEASON FOUR (2014)

1. (4.02) “The Lion and the Rose” – The elite citizens of King’s Landing celebrate the wedding of King Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell. Joffrey’s uncle, Tyrion Lannister, tries to break up with his mistress Shae so that she would leave Westeros avoid being targeted by his powerful father, Tywin Lannister.

2. (4.08) “The Mountain and the Viper” – The battered Theon Greyjoy helps his captor Ramsay Bolton seize the last Greyjoy stronghold in the North, Moat Cailin. The wildlings attack Mole’s Town. Sansa Stark comes up with a story to protect Lord Baelish from Brienne Tarth. Queen Daenerys Targaryen discovers out a disturbing secret about her aide, Jorah Mormont. And Oberyn Martell faces Gregor Clegane, the Mountain in a trial by combat to settle Tyrion’s verdict.

3. (4.05) “First of His Name” – Tommen Barantheon is crowned King of the Seven Kingdoms. His mother, Queen Cersei, builds her case of murder against her brother Tyrion. Sansa Stark and Lord Petyr Baelish arrive at the Eyrie, the home of her aunt Lysa Arryn. Jon Snow leads the Night’s Watch in an attack against the mutineers at Craster’s Keep.

4. (4.09) “The Watchers on the Wall” – The Night’s Watch finally engage in an open battle against the attacking Freefolk aka “Wildlings”.

5. (4.07) “Mockingbird” – Tyrion tries to find a champion for his upcoming trial by combat. Daenerys finally sleeps with her hired mercenary, Daario Naharis. Brienne and Podrick receive a tip on Arya Stark’s whereabouts. And both Sansa and Lord Baelish come into conflict with her jealous aunt Lysa.

Chicken and Waffles

Below is an article about the dish known as Chicken and Waffles:

CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Considered an American dish, Chicken and Waffles is a fusion of two food times – chicken and waffles. The dish is part of a variety of culinary traditions that include soul food and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. It is served in certain specialty restaurants in the United States. The combination that is regarded as part of African-American or Southern tradition is usually served with condiments such as butter and syrup and has become a local custom in Baltimore, Maryland. However, the Pennsylvania Dutch version of the dish is usually served with pulled or stewed chicken and gravy on top. This version has become a custom in Northeastern United States.

Several theories about the origin of Chicken and Waffles do exist. But they are theories and is not exactly regarded as fact. Waffles entered American cuisine in the 1600s with the arrival of European colonists. A chef to the prince-bishop of Liège originated the waffles used in this particular dish in the 18th century. The popularity of waffles saw a boost following Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of four waffle irons in Amsterdam after 1789.

Hotels and resorts outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania began serving waffles with fried catfish in the early 1800s. Such establishments also served other dishes like fried chicken, which gradually became the meat of choice due to catfish’s limited availability. By the 1840s, broiled chicken and waffles became the specialty at Warriner’s Tavern in Springfield, Massachusetts. The establishment was owned by Jeremy and Phoebe Warriner, two well-known African-American abolitionists. The Warriners hired African-American women as cooks for the tavern. They were usually freed or runaway slaves who had learned their trade in Southern plantation kitchens. Chicken and Waffles had been extravagant breakfast staples in plantation houses through much of the South. Earlier, I had pointed out that the chicken served with waffles by the Pennsylvania Dutch was usually stewed and topped with gravy. This version had became an established common Sunday dish among the Pennsylvania Dutch by the 1860s.

The combination of chicken and waffles did not appear in early Southern cookbooks such as “Mrs. Porter’s Southern Cookery Book”, published in 1871; or in the first African-American cookbook, “What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking”, published in 1881 by former slave Abby Fisher. The lack of a recipe for the combination of chicken and waffles in Southern cookbooks during the post-Civil War era may suggest a later origin for the dish. Popular culture had associated Chicken and Waffles with the South by 1917 with the publication of Edna Ferber’s novel, “Fanny Herself”.

Fried Chicken and Waffles had arrived in Los Angeles, California by 1931. The dish was served at The Maryland, a local restaurant that marketed the dish as a Southern specialty. The protagonist in James M. Cain’s 1941 novel “Mildred Pierce” was a woman who finds success serving “chicken-and-waffle dinner” at her Glendale restaurant. Chicken and Waffles had become a staple in New York City’s African-American community in Harlem as early as the 1930s in such locations as Tillie’s Chicken Shack, Dickie Wells’ jazz nightclub, and particularly the Wells Supper Club. The dish eventually regained popularity in Los Angeles in the 1970s, due to the fame of former Harlem resident Herb Hudson’s restaurant Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. The latter has become known as a favorite of some Hollywood celebrities and been referenced in several movies.

Below is a recipe for Chicken and Waffles from the Delish website:

Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

Fried Chicken
1 quart buttermilk
2 tbsp. kosher salt
Mix of bone-in chicken thighs, breasts, and drumsticks (about 2 lbs.)
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 tbsp. paprika

Waffles
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
6 tbsp. butter, melted, plus more for waffle iron
3 Large eggs, separated
1 tsp. cayenne
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Large eggs

Preparation

1. Brine chicken – In a large bowl, mix together buttermilk and 2 tablespoons salt. Add chicken and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

2. Meanwhile, make waffles – Preheat oven to 200°. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of kosher salt.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, milk, butter and egg yolks. Gently fold wet mixture into dry mixture.

4. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer), beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped egg whites into batter, being careful not to over mix. (A few fluffy streaks of whites are fine!)

5. Heat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instruction. When the iron is hot, brush grates with melted butter. Spoon about ⅓ cup of batter into waffle maker and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter. Place cooked waffles in a clean kitchen towel on a baking sheet. Place in oven to keep warm while preparing chicken.

6. When ready to fry – Fill a Dutch oven fitted with a candy thermometer with vegetable oil until 2″ to 3″ deep, then preheat until oil reaches 350º. Prepare one sheet pan lined with paper towels and a wire rack.

7. Transfer chicken from brine to another sheet pan and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.

8. In a large, deep bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. In a large bowl, beat eggs with 2 tablespoons water. Using tongs, place chicken in egg mixture, roll in flour mixture, and shake off excess. Fry chicken in 2 batches until golden brown and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes (internal temperature should read 165º). Bring oil back to 350º before adding last batch.

9. Place chicken on wire rack and season with salt immediately. Plate waffles with a pat of butter and top with 2 to 3 pieces of fried chicken. Serve with maple syrup on the side for drizzling.

Favorite Television Productions Set in the 1830s

Below is a list of my favorite television productions set in the 1830s:

FAVORITE TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS SET IN THE 1830s

1. “Jane Eyre” (1983) – Alexander Baron wrote this excellent adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 novel about a destitute, but strong-willed governess who falls in love with her mysterious employer. Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton made a superb screen team in my favorite adaptation of the novel.

2. “Wives and Daughters” (1999) – Andrew Davies wrote this excellent adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s 1865 unfinished novel about the coming-of-age of a country doctor’s daughter. Justine Waddell and Keeley Hawes starred in this four-part miniseries.

3. “Middlemarch” (1994) – Andrew Davies adapted this superb adaptation of George Eliot’s 1871 novel about the lives of the inhabitants of an English town during the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. The superb cast includes Juliet Aubrey, Douglas Hodge, Robert Hardy and Rufus Sewell.

4. “Gentleman Jack” (2019-present) – Sally Wainwright created this excellent series about the relationship between early 19th century industrialist/landowner Anne Lister and wealthy heiress Ann Walker. Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle starred.

5. “Cousin Bette” (1971) – Margaret Tyzack and Helen Mirren starred in this memorable television adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s 1846 novel about a middle-aged spinster who wreaks vengeance upon her high-born extended family. Gareth Davies directed.

6. “The Count of Monte Cristo” (1975) – Richard Chamberlain starred in this entertaining television adaptation of Alexandre Dumas, père ‘s 1844 novel about a man’s campaign of revenge against those who had him imprisoned for over a decade. David Greene directed.

7. “Jane Eyre” (1973) – Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston starred in this colorful adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 novel about a destitute, but strong-willed governess who falls in love with her mysterious employer. Joan Craft directed.

8. “Wide Sargasso Sea” (2006) Rebecca Hall and Rafe Spall starred in this adaptation of Jean Rhys’ 1966 novel, which is a prequel to “Jane Eyre”. Brendan Maher directed.