Andrew T. Judson Collection

Manuscripts Collection 247

Overview of the Collection

Repository: G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
Creator: Judson, Andrew T.
Title: Andrew T. Judson Collection
Dates: 1825-1861
Extent: 35 items
Abstract: Letters received by Judson (1825-1849); deed (1843) for property in Canterbury; Judson family letters (3 items, ca. 1856-1861); documents relating to the AMISTAD trial; and ms. autobiographical sketch written by Judson in 1847. AMISTAD documents include: rough notes of testimony from the two Cuban slaveowners taken aboard the brig WASHINGTON (U.S. revenue cutter responsible for the capture of the AMISTAD) at New London, Conn. (1839 Aug. 29); transcript of first day testimony (10 items, 1839) at District Court, Hartford, Conn.; copy of Judson’s decision regarding the location of the AMISTAD when it was seized (6 items, 1840 Jan. 13); rough copy of his decision regarding the status of the Africans aboard (4 items, 1840 Jan. 13); and rough notes concerning issue of the specific location of AMISTAD’s capture with possible references to legal precedents used by attorneys involved in the trial.
Identification: Coll. 247

Biography of Andrew T. Judson

Andrew T. Judson (1784-1853) lived in Canterbury, Connecticut, and served the state of Connecticut as a public official holding the offices of States Attorney for Windham County, Representative to the Connecticut House and U.S. District Court judge. From 1839 to 1840 Judson presided over the case of the schooner AMISTAD, out of Havana, Cuba, which sailed from Africa carrying slaves, who several days out of port, rose and murdered the captain and crew, hoping to use the vessel to return to Africa, ending up adrift at sea; responsible for freeing the African captives.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Available for use in the Manuscripts Division

Restrictions on Use

Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.

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Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Corporate Entities:

Amistad (Schooner) United States.
District Court (Connecticut)
Washington (Revenue cutter)

Family Names:

Places:

Hartford (Conn.)–History
New London (Conn.)–History

Subjects:

Fugitive slaves–Legal status, laws, etc.–United States
Real property–Connecticut–Canterbury
Slave insurrections–Cuba
Slave insurrections–United States
Slavery–Law and legislation–United States
Trials (Mutiny)–United States

Document Types:

Autobiographies
Deeds–Connecticut–Canterbury
Testimonies

Occupations:

Judges–United States
Slaveholders–Cuba

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Coll. 247, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Miscellaneous papers; 1825-1861.

Box Folder
1 1 Letter written by Andrew T. Judson to J.A. Rockwell. Images
2 Letters received by Andrew T. Judson. Images
3 Deed for property in Canterbury, Ct., purchased by Judson from Calvin Barston. Images
4 Judson family letters. Images
5 AMISTAD (Schooner); Rough notes of testimony from Don Jose Ruiz and Don Pedro Montez, aboard brig WASHINGTON at New London, Ct.. Images
6 AMISTAD (Schooner); Rough transcript of the first day testimony in District Court at Hartford, Ct.. Images
7 AMISTAD (Schooner); Smooth copy of Andrew Judson’s decision as regards the location of the schooner AMISTAD when it was seized.. Images
8 AMISTAD (Schooner); Rough copy of Andrew Judson’s decision regarding the status of the Africans aboard the schooner AMISTAD. Images
9 AMISTAD (Schooner); Rough notes regarding issue of the specific location of AMISTAD’s capture, and possible references to legal precedents used by attorneys involved with the trial. Images
10 Manuscript draft, “A Short Sketch of My Own Life,” written by Andrew T. Judson. Images