Little Ephraim Robin John and Ancona Robin John facts for kids

Little Ephraim Robin John and Ancona Robin Robin John were important people from Old Town, Nigeria, in the 1700s. They were part of the ruling family. Ancona was either Little Ephraim's son or nephew.

These men belonged to the Efik group. They were very skilled. They spoke many languages, including English, and could read and write. They also knew a lot about the slave trade.

Sadly, the Robin Johns were captured during a slave trading trip. They were sold to British traders. This happened while their king, Grandy King George, was talking about trade with another leader.

The Robin Johns were tricked two times by ship captains. These captains promised to take them back to Africa. But instead, they were taken far away. Eventually, in the United Kingdom, they went to court. They bravely asked for their freedom and won!

How They Were Captured

In the mid-1700s, there was a big disagreement. It was between Old Town and New Town in Old Calabar. In 1767, leaders Grandy King George and Duke Ephraim of New Town were discussing trade. Their talks went very badly. This stopped the local slave trade.

Then, traders from New Town got help from British slave traders. They planned a surprise attack. This attack was on people involved in the slave trade in Old Town. Both Robin Johns were captured during this attack. They were then sold into slavery.

Their Time in Captivity

Life in Dominica

The Robin Johns were taken to Dominica. Captain Bivins transported them on a ship called the Duke of York. Once they arrived, a French doctor bought them.

After several months, a new captain arrived. His name was William Sharp from Liverpool. He told the Robin Johns he would take them back to Africa. But only if they could escape to his ship. One of the men wrote that he was "determined to get home." One night, the Robin Johns quietly left. They got onto Captain Sharp's ship.

But Captain Sharp did not sail to Africa. Instead, he sailed to Virginia. There, he sold the Robin Johns to a man named John Thompson.

Life in Virginia

Their new owner, John Thompson, lived in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was also a slave trader. He often took the Robin Johns with him on his journeys. Thompson was a quick-tempered man. He often beat the Robin Johns. In March 1772, Thompson died.

Soon after Thompson's death, the Robin Johns met some sailors. These sailors were from Old Town. They were in Virginia on a slave trading ship called the Greyhound. The sailors recognized the two men. They remembered the story of their capture in Africa. They told their captain, Terence O'Neil, what had happened. They asked him to help the Robin Johns.

The Robin Johns escaped to the Greyhound. The ship then sailed to Bristol, England.

Arriving in Liverpool

When they reached Liverpool, Captain O'Neil moved the Robin Johns to another ship. This ship was going back to Virginia. He planned to sell them again. The Robin Johns were locked on this slave ship for two weeks. Then, they sent a letter to a well-known slave trader named Thomas Jones.

Thomas Jones knew the Robin Johns personally. He had visited Old Calabar many times in the 1760s. He had become good friends with the ruling family of Old Town. After the Robin Johns were captured, King George had written to Thomas Jones. He asked Jones to help bring his brother and nephew home.

Their Court Case in England

With Thomas Jones's help, the Robin Johns asked for their freedom. Jones used a court decision from 1772. This was the James Somersett case. He tried to use a legal process called Habeas corpus to free the Robin Johns.

A judge decided that the Robin Johns were free. They could not be sent back to America to be sold again. After they were declared free, the two men traveled back to Calabar.

Later Life and Impact

While they were in Bristol, the Robin Johns met Charles and John Wesley. They became followers of Methodism. Stories say that they helped spread Christianity in Calabar after they returned in 1794.

Some information suggests that Ephraim traded slaves again. He had told Charles Wesley that he saw no other way. He felt he needed to repay Thomas Jones for his help.

The Robin Johns' connection with John Wesley was important. It is thought to have influenced his strong writings against slavery. He wrote about it in his pamphlet Thoughts upon Slavery (1774).

See also

• List of kidnappings
• List of solved missing person cases