James Poovey

James Poovey (c.1769–unknown) was an 18th-century Philadelphian described by abolitionist Isaac Hopper in Tales of Oppression. According to Hopper, Poovey was enslaved from birth and sought manumission through non-violent disobedience, simply refusing to work.^[1] Although the accuracy of Tales of Oppression is debated by historians, some narratives have been verified through court records and other corroborating evidence held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.^[2] Hopper's written account of James Poovey's life was later edited and embellished by his colleague, abolitionist author Lydia Maria Child,^[3] who supplemented the narrative with her own recollections of how Hopper told the story.^[4]

In 1780, the Pennsylvania legislature ratified "An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery",^[5] which effectively abolished the importation of future enslaved people to Pennsylvania, and granted children born into slavery after its enactment freedom at age 28.^[6] James Poovey, born roughly 11 years before the institution of this law, was excluded from claiming freedom under the act.^[3][1] According to Child, the fact that other men a few years younger than Poovey were eligible for their freedom, while he remained in bondage, was a "source of uneasiness" for him.^[3]

Poovey was enslaved by Coates, a blacksmith in the Southwark District of Philadelphia, and had learned the trade, making him "very valuable".^[7] During winter evenings, Poovey attended the Young Men's Society for the Free Instruction of Colored People, where he first became acquainted with Isaac Hopper, a Quaker and member of the Acting Committee of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, who taught him to read.^[7][1]

In 1802, around 33, Poovey attempted to negotiate his freedom from the blacksmith.^[1][7] In Hopper's account, Poovey argued that his continued submission to slavery was "a great sin",^[7] and invoked the Golden Rule of Christianity (Matthew 7:12),^[8] saying, "we must do as we are done by".^[7] Initially, Poovey offered Coates seven years' faithful service in exchange for his freedom, but Coates refused.^[7] He then offered to purchase his freedom from Coates by earning wages at sea.^[7] Coates also rejected this.^[7] Poovey announced that he would never make another offer, reported that he refused to work, and walked off.^[7][1]

Coates responded immediately by applying to the magistrate for an arrest warrant.^[7][1] Poovey was arrested and imprisoned "as a disobedient, refractory slave".^[7] Almost a month later, Coates visited Poovey in jail to ask him to recant and return to work.^[7] Poovey repeated his refusal to work for Coates again, saying he understood that he might live the rest of his life in jail.^[7][1]

After the confrontation, Coates applied for the inspectors to hold Poovey in the cells until he was finally willing to "submit".^[7] Coates was referred to Hopper, who was on the prison board and refused to make Poovey return to bondage or punish him further.^[7][1] According to Child, after Poovey's first jail term had expired, Coates arranged to have him incarcerated for another 30 days and also tried to bribe him with a new suit and "Methodist hat", but Poovey flatly refused to ever work for him again.^[3] Coates could not sell Poovey out of state, and it was unlikely he could sell him in Philadelphia, so he finally gave up.^[1] Following the completion of his second jail sentence, Poovey was discharged without further interference,^[3] and became de facto, if not legally, a free man.^[1][3]

• History of slavery in Pennsylvania
• Timeline of abolition of slavery and serfdom
• Isaac Hopper
• Henry Box Brown
• List of slaves