Life and work of John McDonogh, [Paperback]

William Allan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1886

This volume is produced from digital images from the Cornell University Library Samuel J. May Anti-Slavery Collection

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Library (January 1, 1886)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142971638X
• ISBN-13: 978-1429716383
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,286,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A great early American philanthropist, August 12, 2009

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This review is from: Life and work of John McDonogh, (Paperback)

At the time of his death in 1850 he was perhaps the world's largest land owner. The bulk of his fortune was willed to Baltimore and New Orleans for education of the poor, white and black.

McDonogh moved to New Orleans shortly after 1801 as a successful merchant of international trade. He retired from commerce at the age of 26 and went on to become a land speculator, eventually surrounding the young city of New Orleans with his holdings, all of which he bequeathed to educating the poor.

Not much is known about his early social life when he was a prominent member of New Orleans society. After loosing in an election for the Senate in 1818 he moved across the Mississippi River to just south of Algiers point and lived as a recluse in a partially completed mansion surrounded only by his servants. (The site probably benefited from the cooling effect very near the river. The home site eventually washed into the river).

McDonogh worked from before dawn to after dark administering his vast landholdings. The guiding principle of his life, in his own words: "My soul has all my life burned with an ardent desire to do good-much good, great good-to my fellow man, as it was chiefly by that means and through that channel that I could tend-greatly tend-to the honor and glory of My Lord and Master, which was my soul's great, chief object and interest."

McDonogh's estate was so vast that it proved difficult to administer by the trustees and was eventually sold off, violating the wishes of his will. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling was required before the sale. Also, some of his land holdings were purchased from the Spanish government, so the claim was uncertain after the purchase of Florida by the U.S.; however, the court ruled in favor of the McDonogh estate.

McDonogh allowed his slaves to earn their freedom and established a colony in Africa for freed slaves. He had a very clever incentive program by which slaves could work extra hours to earn money with which to purchase their freedom, one-half day a week each year, the time off being used however they wished.

McDonogh believed the U.S. government should purchase and free slaves.
A McDonogh quote of historical interest "white labor in our country will be as cheap as it is now in France and Italy, and whenever that is the case, the slaveowner will not retain his slaves".

McDonogh never married, although he was known to have courted two women. Mostly McDonogh is a mystery, perhaps as revisionist history because no one would have been willing to say anything bad about someone who left all their wealth to education. He was known as a tough businessman, but also for bening miserly and eccentric.

My mother recalls hearing the story of McDonogh being rowed across the river in a small boat, most likely to do business in downtown New Orleans, similar to the eyewitness story told in the book.

My mother and her parents and her grandparents lived in McDonoghville, not far from McDonogh's home, which has since washed into the Mississippi River. I attended McDonogh #26 School and participated in annual McDonogh Day ceremonies at his first burial place, a short walk from my boyhood home.

Mr. McDonogh, thank you for my school.