Liberty's Chain: Slavery, Abolition, and the Jay Family of New York

David N. Gellman's book "Liberty's Chain" explores the contradictions of the revolutionary age through the Jay family, abolitionists, and slaveholders. John Jay, a diplomat, Supreme Court justice, and coauthor of the Federalist Papers, and his children and grandchildren played significant roles in shaping the Early American Republic. Despite facing scorn and racist mobs, they remained committed to ending southern slavery and combating northern injustice. The book highlights the personal dealings of Jay with African Americans, ranging from callousness to caring, and how enslaved people and formerly enslaved people served in Jay households. It demonstrates the elusiveness and vitality of liberty's legacy and forces us to grapple with patriotism, conservatism, and radicalism in our own divided times.

Format: Hardback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In his captivating book, "Liberty's Chain," David N. Gellman delves into the intricate and paradoxical story of the Jay family, encompassing both abolitionists and slaveholders, during the revolutionary era. The Jays of New York, a prominent founding family, played a pivotal role in shaping the early American Republic. John Jay, a renowned diplomat, Supreme Court justice, and coauthor of the Federalist Papers, along with his children and grandchildren, left an indelible mark on the nation's history.

Liberty's Chain offers a fresh perspective on slavery and the nation's founding. John Jay assumed the inaugural presidency of a pioneering antislavery society, setting the stage for his descendants to embrace radical abolitionism in the 19th century. Despite facing scorn and racist mobs from their elite peers, the Jays remained steadfast in their commitment to end southern slavery and combat northern injustice.

John Jay's interactions with African Americans varied from callousness to compassion. Throughout the generations, even as prominent Jays denounced human servitude, enslaved people and formerly enslaved people found solace and support within Jay households. Abbe, Clarinda, Caesar Valentine, Zilpah Montgomery, and others endured challenging and often isolated lives, putting their courage and the Jay family's principles to the test.

This remarkable family saga intertwines personal and political aspects, as Gellman explores the transmission and transformation of American values from the colonial and revolutionary eras to the Civil War, Reconstruction, and beyond. The Jays, along with those who served them, exemplified the elusive and resilient nature of liberty's legacy. Their story compels us to confront profound questions about patriotism, conservatism, and radicalism, resonating deeply with our own divided times.

In conclusion, "Liberty's Chain" is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the Jay family's journey, shedding light on the complexities and contradictions of the revolutionary age. Through the lens of this remarkable family, Gellman offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of American history and the enduring legacy of liberty.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501715846