Mingo Jack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mingo Jack
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|---|---|
| Born |
Samuel Johnson
1820 |
| Died | March 5, 1886 (aged 66) |
| Known for | Lynching victim |
Samuel "Mingo Jack" Johnson (born 1820 – died March 5, 1886) was an African-American man. He was wrongly accused of a crime. Sadly, he died in a violent attack by a group of white men in Eatontown, New Jersey.
Samuel Johnson's Early Life
Johnson was born in Colts Neck, New Jersey, in 1820. When he was young, he was forced to work for the Laird family without pay. This was known as slavery at that time.
Because Samuel was short, the Laird family used him as a jockey. A jockey is someone who rides horses in races. He rode a colt (a young horse) named Chief Mingo to win a race. This win earned him the nickname "Mingo Jack."
In 1840, New Jersey ended slavery. After that, Johnson worked different odd jobs in the Eatontown and Middletown areas. He lived in Eatontown, near where Route 35 and Poplar Road are today.
