From The Peopling of New York City
John Chambers
My search for John chambers was a particularly tedious one. My exploration began in Lepore’s New York Burning which gave me information regarding his slaves. With very minimal information I began my journey by first searching online on www.ancestry.com and then extended my research through city directories at the New York Public Library. As I had expected I was bombarded with nearly hundreds of people named John Chambers. Although this was a major predicament, I was able to utilize the given information from Lepore’s book to my advantage. The main clue that enabled me to rule out the wrong choices was the profession, lawyer, which Lepore mentions in her book.[1] Although there were more than one John Chambers who was lived during the 1700s who were lawyers, I narrowed my results to one when I checked it to be one from the Court Party. From here I continued to use these information to further my research. After several hours of tediously searching through old ad dusty books, I came across a will that was written by John Chambers which mentioned his family members. Family members who were mentioned in the will were his wife Gennett; four sons, William, John, Henry and Thomas; and his daughters Anna Warren, Elisabeth Holt and Sarah Turner[2]. And this was the only amount of information that was amassed on the first trip to the New York Public Library.
The second trip was the most enlightening one. While going through Daniel Horsemanden’s journal, he recorded that John Chambers was one of the main lawyers who played an important role in the Horsemanden trials of 1741, which led to the severe sentences of several slaves. [3] Through my research I found that Horsemanden had personally picked the lawyers for this case, and it was essential to be informed of the previous court cases, where John Chambers might have displayed his abilities. To my interest and fascination I was able to find out the case that had gained Chambers much acclaim. This was the Peter Zenger trial of the publisher Peter Zenger vs. governor William Cosby of 1735. In this trial, John Chambers was appointed to defend Zenger before Alexander Hamilton was given this authority.[4]. During this trial, one of the most important ideals established by Chambers was a unprejudiced jury. Chambers successfully insisted that the jury be chosen from all eligible New York landowners. Chambers’ persistence for a impartial jury is an attribute expected in juries today as well. But gradually Chambers disappeared from the Zenger case due to Hamilton’s prominent arguments, acquitting Zenger of all libelous charges, thus establishing the freedom of press in the First Amendment. John Chambers continued to become the Justice of the Supreme Court and continued in that position from 1751 to 1763. To prolong his legacy, Chambers left behind his acclaimed library, which is a clear indication of his education and the significance he gave to it. “His practice papers have largely survived, and if they reveal a man of sometimes careless method, they show nonetheless an effective and well-trained lawyer.” My research resumed at the municipal Archives, where I was able to find the death certificate which dated the death of john Chambers in 1764. I was glad that I was able to unearthen the neglected life of an ordinary American who had played such a significant role in our country.
I was able to come across a will of probably a later descendant and she has also mentioned the names of the slaves that she owned. This is a clear indication that the family continued to own slaves even after the death of Jon Chambers. The fact that she mentioned them in her will also shows that the family ere kind slaveowners who took enough care of their slaves.
"Page 77.--In the name of God, Amen. I, ANNE CHAMBERS, of New York, widow of John Chambers, late of New York, Esq., being in perfect health. "My Body I commit to the Earth to be buried in my Brother's family vault at the Lower Yonkers, in Westchester County." "I leave to the Rector and Inhabitants of the city of New York, in communion with the Church of England as by Law established, 500 to be put at interest and the interest used for the support of the girls only, belonging to the Charity School, and for the rewarding such of the girls on their leaving School, as they judge deserving, which I intend as an incourgement of their Diligence." I leave to my nephew, Mr. Augustus Van Cortlandt, my negro wench and my negroes Dinah and Robins, and my chariot and horses..."[5].
References
- ↑ Lepore, Jill. New York Burning. Page 206.Vintage Books, New York 2005
- ↑ The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (quarterly-1931) – Extracts, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 279
- ↑ Horsemandan, Daniel, The New York conspiracy, or, A history of the Negro plot : with the journal of the proceedings against the conspirators at New York New York 1810
- ↑ Copeland,David. Debating the Issues in Colonial Newspapers, The Zenger Trial: Partisanship, not freedom of expression, framed the case (New York: Publisher Unknown, 2000)
- ↑ New York City Wills 1771-1776 www.ancestry.com
