Thomas Gilman (1830–1911), nicknamed Uncle Tom Gilman,[1] was an American freedman, miner, farmer, and businessperson. He was an enslaved African American who self–purchased his freedom from mining during the mid-19th-century, and notably contributed to African American history in California.
Thomas Gilman | |
|---|---|
 Gilman (c. 1900) in front of his cabin in at Shaw's Flat, California | |
| Born | 1830 Tennessee, United States |
| Died | December 15, 1911 Shaw's Flat, Tuolumne County, California, United States |
| Burial place | Shaw's Flat Cemetery |
| Other names | Uncle Tom Gilman |
| Occupation(s) | Miner, farmer, businessperson |
| Known for | Freedman, and his contribution to Black history in California |
Biography
editThomas Gilman was Black and born enslaved in 1830, in Tennessee, U.S..[2] He was owned and enslaved by Joseph B. Gilman of Greene County, Tennessee.[1] Thomas was brought to California by his enslaver in 1850, during the California gold rush in order to work in the mines in Dragoon Gulch.[3][1] After two years of mining, he was able to purchase his freedom,[2][4] however Joseph B. Gilman tried to continuously delay the purchase of freedom, until the self–purchase was recorded by the state court on August 1852.[1][5][6]
Gilman spent the remainder of his life in Tuolumne County in his small cabin located on the Sonora–Shaws Flat Road, mining, and farming.[1] He never learned to read or write. When he reached an age in which he could no longer farm, his local friends supported him.[1] Not all freedman in California were able to live such long, and peaceful lives.
Gilman died at age 85 on December 15, 1911, in Shaw's Flat,[7] and he is buried at the Shaw's Flat Cemetery.
Legacy
editThe California State Library holds the Thomas Gilman Papers, 1853–1907.[8][2] "Uncle Toms Drive" in Sonora, California was named in his honor.[1]
See also
edit
- Archy Lee (1840–1873)
- History of slavery in California
- Manumission
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "The History of Dragoon Gulch" (PDF). City of Sonora. February 2017.
- ^ a b c "Thomas Gilman Freedom Papers (Thomas Gilman Collection)". FromThePage. California State Library. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Breed, Olive (November 25, 1962). "Legend of Mother Lode Kindness". Press-Telegram. p. 113. Retrieved 2024-10-13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Johnson, Susan Lee (1993). "The Gold She Gathered": Difference, Domination, and California's Southern Mines, 1848-1853. Yale University. p. 298 – via Google Books.
- ^ Johnson, Susan Lee (2000). Roaring Camp: The Social World of the California Gold Rush. W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 190–191. ISBN 978-0-393-32099-2 – via Google Books.
- ^ California State Library Foundation Bulletin, Issues 62-67. The Foundation. 1998. p. 38 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Died (obituaries)". Stockton Evening and Sunday Record. December 18, 1911. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-10-13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Guide to the Thomas Gilman Papers, 1853-1907". Online Archive of California (OAC). Retrieved 2024-10-13.