The Absent Ones and the Providers: A Biography of the Vashons

Abstract

George Boyer Vashon, a black man in nineteenth century America, was devoted to the struggle for black freedom and equality. Throughout American history, blacks effected change in this country in a variety of ways. Because they were, for the most part, denied access to political channels, such as voting and holding elected office, the means by which blacks carried out theft struggle were often subtle and unassuming. Nevertheless, the many forms of black activism yielded concrete results in a similar way. George B. Vashon's participation in the movement for black equality and advancement took shape through abolitionist work, education, and the use of the written and spoken word. With these tools he was able to make carefully calculated attempts to elevate African-Americans, the cause to which he dedicated his life. George's father, John Bathan Vashon, was the son of a white man - also named George Vashon - and a woman of mixed heritage who went by the name of Fanny Vashon. John B. Vashon also endeavored to advance his race through his efforts as an abolitionist, leader of Pittsburgh's black community, and chief black financier of the city's anti-slavery crusade. John B. Vashon greatly influenced the course of his son's life in two major ways. He made sure that George received the highest level of education and also brought him into the abolitionist crusade. From an early age, the younger Vashon had a chance to associate with Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Martin Delany, and other prominent figures whom John B. Vashon knew very well. The elder Vashon enjoyed a solid rapport and friendship with these leading abolitionists and the younger George had the chance to frequently be in their company at meetings and social gatherings. George B. Vashon's education and other pursuits in his early life illustrate the extraordinary nature of this man in a time when those of his skin color lived under the most oppressive conditions. However, it is his work as an educator, abolitionist, and writer that vividly reveals George B. Vashon's tireless commitment to uplifting his people. Just as John Vashon had an important impact on George, it is clear that John's predecessors helped to shape his life. The Vashons came to America in the middle of the eighteenth century.(1) Simon Vashon, a Caucasian and George B. Vashon's great-grandfather, emigrated to America from England and prospered as a merchant and farmer in Baltimore County, Maryland.(2) As a member of the Maryland Militia, Simon Vashon fought in the Revolutionary War with a regiment called the Baltimore Independent Cadets.(3) In December 1777, George was born out of wedlock to Simon and Mary Coughton. Since they were not married, George spent the first years of his life with his mother, being raised in a lower-middle class community of Baltimore.(4) Due to his service in the war, Simon Vashon received a sizable amount of land in Norfolk, Virginia, and moved there in 1785.(5) His son later joined him in the late 1780s and grew up in Norfolk. Simon Vashon owned a small group of slaves, one of whom was a light skinned woman of African heritage named Fanny. Fanny was freed around the year 1792 and, as was common practice, she took the last name of her owner.(6) It was with this Fanny Vashon that young George Vashon had a relationship and fathered a son in 1792 who was named John Bathan Vashon.(7) Since the mother's status determined the children's status, John was born free. Apparently, Fanny Vashon was free at the time of the child's birth, but there is no record of the date of her manumission. While it was commonplace for women of color to be raped by their white owners and left with child, it is evident that there was a special bond between John and his father. Later, in honor of his father, John named his first son George. It is unlikely that this would have happened had there been ill feelings in that relationship. Second, there are indepth specific facts about the history of the Vashon family, going back to France, that John passed down to his descendants. …