McGill family (Monrovia) facts for kids
The McGill family was a group of African-American people who were free even before slavery ended. They came from Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Monrovia, Liberia in the 1800s. They were among the first American settlers in Liberia and became one of the most important early Americo-Liberian families. You can find old photos (called daguerreotypes) of the McGill family at the Library of Congress. Members of the family held important jobs in the government of the colony. They are also mentioned in a magazine called African Repository, which was published by the American Colonization Society.
The McGill Family Moves to Liberia
George R. McGill and Angelina McGill, along with other family members, traveled to Liberia on a ship called the Reaper. They arrived in Monrovia in February 1831. Sadly, Angelina died shortly after they arrived. Some of the McGill family settled in a place called Cape Palmas, which is south of Monrovia.
However, George McGill stayed in Monrovia. There, he became a very successful merchant, which means he bought and sold goods. He was also a Methodist preacher. Two of his four sons followed in his footsteps and became merchants too.
George McGill also worked as a temporary leader for the American Colonization Society from September 1833 to January 1834. In 1854, two of his sons, Urias and James McGill, started a trading company together called Urias A. McGill & Brother. Later, their other two brothers, Samuel and R. S. McGill, joined the business, and the company's name changed to McGill Brothers. The McGill Brothers company built many warehouses and opened many stores. They were among the first very successful Americo-Liberian trading families.
Important Members of the McGill Family
The McGill family was part of the mixed-race Americo-Liberian community. They often had lighter skin and European ancestors.
Here are some notable members of the family:
- Urias McGill: He was a very famous merchant, sometimes called the "Merchant of Monrovia."
- Sarah McGill Russwurm: She was the wife of John Brown Russwurm, another important figure in Liberian history.
- James McGill (American Colonist)
- Samuel Ford McGill: He was a doctor and a merchant. He studied at Dartmouth College in the United States.
- R. S. McGill
- Edwin Urias McGill: He was Urias McGill's son.
- Corinna McGill: She was Urias McGill's daughter.
- Edrinna McGill Moosman: She was Urias McGill's granddaughter and became an American model, actress, and entrepreneur.
- Rick Betton-Desheild: He is a great-grandson of Edwin Urias McGill.
- Lance Bell: He is a great-grandson of Urias McGill.
- Corinna Moosman: She is a great-granddaughter of Urias McGill.
- Devin McGill: He is a great-grandson of Urias McGill.
Two pictures of McGill family members were shown on a TV show called African American Lives, hosted by Henry Louis Gates. One of the pictures was of Urias McGill. Old photos of the McGill family are kept in the Library of Congress because they were important early settlers in Liberia in the 1800s.
