Category Archives: James W.C. Pennington

James W.C. Pennington

Letter to Harriet Beecher Stowe

The following letter from James W.C. Pennington to Harriet Beecher Stowe was published in Stowe’s A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a full volume answering the criticism, primarily from southerners, that her novel unfairly represented slavery as an evil institution. A Key presents, as its subtitle states, “facts and documents upon which the story is founded, together with corroborative statements verifying the truth of the work.” John Hooker, mentioned in his letter, was a founder of Hartford’s Nook Farm neighborhood and husband of Isabella Beecher Hooker, featured in this anthology.

Reader Advisory: Pennington emphasizes the lasting pain and degradation of slavery by employing the “n” word and vivid descriptions of his own experiences. Continue reading Letter to Harriet Beecher Stowe →

James W.C. Pennington

Excerpts from A Text Book on the Origins and History Etc. of the Colored People

A Text Book of the Origins and History Etc. of the Colored People

by James W.C. Pennington

 CHAP. V.  

Slavery on this continent did not originate in the condition of the Africans. 

It is very commonly asserted that the Africans have been enslaved because they are fit only for slaves. This would prove to be a very summary and cheap way of setting the south right, provided the above assertion were true, or that we should take it without investigation.  

But is it true that the American colonists did not think of instituting slavery until they saw in the condition of the Africans, subjects fitted only for that state?  Continue reading Excerpts from A Text Book on the Origins and History Etc. of the Colored People →

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James W.C. Pennington

The Fugitive Blacksmith

The Fugitive Blacksmith

Or, Events in the History of James W.C. Pennington, Pastor of a Presbyterian Church, New York, Formerly a Slave in the State of Maryland, United States

by James W. C. Pennington

“Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert
to them from the face of the spoiler.”–ISAIAH xvi. 4.

MR. CHARLES GILPIN,

MY DEAR SIR,

The information just communicated to me by you, that another edition of my little book, “The Fugitive Blacksmith,” is called for, has agreeably surprised me. The British public has laid me under renewed obligations by this mark of liberality, which I hasten to acknowledge. I would avail myself of this moment also, to acknowledge the kindness of the gentlemen of the newspaper press for the many favourable reviews which my little book has received. It is to them I am indebted, in no small degree, for the success with which I have been favoured in getting the book before the notice of the public.

Yours truly,

J.W.C. PENNINGTON.

Hoxton, Oct. 15th, 1849.

Continue reading The Fugitive Blacksmith →

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James W.C. Pennington

James W.C. Pennington – Biographical and Critical Sources

James W. C. Pennington — Biographical and Critical Sources 

Close, Stacey (2014). “Rev. James W. C. Pennington: A National and Local Voice for Freedom” in Normen, Elizabeth J.; Harris, Katherine J.; Close, Stacey K.; Mitchell, Wm. Frank; White, Olivia (eds.), African American Connecticut Explored. Middletown, Connecticut: Wesleyan University Press, 2014. 

Stievermann, Jan; Smith, Caitlin B.; Glaude, Eddie S (eds.),  James W.C. Pennington: Essays Toward Rediscovering a Great African American Intellectual and Reformer. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025 

Thomas, Herman E. James W.C. Pennington: African American Churchman and Abolitionist. Abingdon, Oxfordshire: Routledge, 1995 

Webber, Christopher L. American to the Backbone: The Life of James W. C. Pennington, the Fugitive Slave Who Became One of the First Black Abolitionists. New York: Pegasus Books, 2011 

Works 

Stievermann, Jan; Smith, Caitlin B.; Glaude, Eddie S (eds.), The Fugitive Blacksmith and Other Essential Writings by James W. C. Pennington. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025 

Links to Pennington’s reproduced writings are at  https://www.logcollegepress.com/james-william-charles-pennington-18071870. Along with The Fugitive Blacksmith and many others, these include: 

An Address Delivered at Newark, N.J. at the First Anniversary of West India Emancipation (1839).  

Introduction to Ann Plato’s Essays: Including Biographies and Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose and Poetry (1841).  

A Text Book of the Origin and History of the Colored People (1841) 

God No Respecter of Persons (1842).  

Speech Regarding the Intent of the African Colonization Society (1849)  

Letter to Stowe in Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852).  

The Position and Duties of the Colored People (1864).