John Graweere facts for kids

John Graweere, also known as John Gowen, was an important African man who lived in Virginia in the 1600s. He was one of the first Africans to arrive in Virginia. John was a servant who worked hard and saved enough money to buy his son's freedom. He even went to court to make sure his son could be free and raised as a Christian. The court agreed with him, which was a big step for freedom at that time.

John Graweere's Early Life

John Graweere was born in Africa around 1615. His original name was João Geaween. He likely came from Angola, a country in Africa. It is believed that he arrived in Virginia sometime between the 1620s and early 1630s.

Life as a Servant

John Graweere was among the First Africans in Virginia. He lived in a place called James City, which is now known as Jamestown. He was one of the few black indentured servants there. An indentured servant was someone who worked for a set number of years to pay off a debt, often for their travel to a new country. John probably worked in tobacco fields for a man named William Evans.

John was able to raise hogs, which are pigs. He shared the money he earned from the hogs with William Evans. This helped him save money for his future. Around 1635, John Graweere became a free man.

Family Life

Around 1635, John met Margaret Cornish. She was also born in Africa and was a servant in Virginia. Margaret lived on a plantation called Chippoke plantation in Surry County, Virginia.

John and Margaret had a son named Mihill, or Michael, in the late 1630s. John had saved enough money to buy his son's freedom. However, it was not clear who legally owned the boy.

Fighting for His Son's Freedom

John Graweere became one of the first African Americans to ask a court for help. On March 31, 1641, he went to court to buy his son's freedom. He wanted to buy Mihill from Lieutenant Robert Sheppard, who was Margaret's owner.

John's main reason for wanting his son free was to raise him as a Christian, specifically in the Church of England. The court heard John's case and agreed with him! The court decided that Mihill should "remain at the disposing and education of the said Graweere." This meant John could raise and educate his son. The court also said that Mihill's godfather, Robert Sheppard, would help make sure the boy was raised as a Christian. Mihill was not to be a servant or slave to anyone. This was a very important victory for John Graweere and his family.

Mihill Gowen's Life

After winning the court case, John Graweere arranged for his son, Mihill, to become an indentured servant for a planter named Christopher Stafford. This was a way for Mihill to get an education and learn skills until he was 21 years old.

While living at the Stafford plantation, Mihill had a child with an enslaved black woman named Prossa. Mihill was freed from his servitude by Christopher Stafford's will. He then lived in York County, Virginia.

In 1655, Christopher Stafford's sister, Ann Barnhouse, went to court to free William Gowen, who was Mihill's son with Prossa. Ann Barnhouse had William baptized and promised to never ask for service from Mihill or his son. Mihill Gowen became completely free in 1657. When he was freed, Mihill took his son William with him.

Mihill Gowen bought several acres of land in James City County to farm tobacco. He continued to build a life for himself and his family.