Abigail (slave) facts for kids

Abigail, often called Abby, was an African American woman who lived in the 1700s. She was enslaved by a famous American leader named John Jay. In 1783, while in Paris, France, she tried to escape to gain her freedom. Sadly, she died soon after her attempt. John Jay was in Paris to help create the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War and made America an independent country.

Who Was Abigail?

Abigail was part of the Jay family's household from at least 1776. John Jay owned many enslaved people, and Abigail was one of them. In 1779, she was the only enslaved person to travel with John Jay and his family when they went to Paris.

Life in Paris

When John Jay left Paris for London in 1783, his family and Abigail stayed behind in Paris. His wife, Sarah Jay, often wrote letters to him about what was happening at home. Most of what we know about Abigail comes from these letters.

At first, Sarah Jay wrote good things about "Abbe," saying she was helpful and loyal. However, Abigail was very alone in Paris. She had few friends and was far from her loved ones in America. In the summer of 1783, she became ill with a toothache and pain in her joints. It seems she started to feel very unsettled. Sarah Jay thought that an "English washerwoman" might have offered Abigail money to work for her.

Her Escape Attempt

In October 1783, Abigail left the Jay home, planning not to return. Sarah Jay asked the Paris police to find her. The police found Abigail with the English washerwoman. By a special order called a lettre de cachet, Abigail was put in La Petite Force, which was the women's part of the city jail.

But Abigail refused to go back to the Jays. She said she would only return if they promised her a trip back to America.

John Jay's Reaction

John Jay was upset by Abigail's escape attempt. He wrote that he could not understand why she would run away. He said he had promised to free her when they returned to America, as long as she behaved well.

He wanted her to be "punished, though not vigorously." On the advice of Benjamin Franklin, another famous American, Jay suggested that Abigail stay in prison for 15 to 20 days to change her mind. To a writer who studied Jay's life, this reaction shows that even though Jay said he disliked slavery, he couldn't understand why one of his enslaved people would try to escape.

Her Final Days

While in prison, Abigail became very sick. She asked to be allowed back to the Jays' home. William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's grandson, arranged for her release. He paid 60 livres (a type of money) to the jail, probably to cover her meals.

Abigail was still sick when she returned. Sarah Jay took care of her, but Abigail died about two weeks after leaving prison. Today, there is no known grave, or other records, or signs of her life remaining.