Depiction of Turner ’ s Rebellion in Southampton County , Virginia , 1831 . In the wake of that event , many Southern states passed laws regulating the lives of both slaves and free Blacks . By 1859 , free people of color could not own establishments that sold liquor , such as coffee houses , billiard halls or retail establishments .
Library of Congress blacksmith enterprise realizing $ 1,500 in sales . No information is available regarding his competitors of either race , but his personal and realty holdings identified in 1860 indicate he was one of the wealthiest FPCs in South Carolina .
Richard Holloway of Charleston , in addition to his carpentry business , had a rather unique sideline ; he trained slaves in his craft for their master ’ s benefit , and one even stayed with him for four years beginning in 1829 . Free Black craftsmen also trained their families , thereby allowing their businesses to exist as “ going concerns ,” which could sustain future generations . Holloway and his family not only practiced carpentry , but also manufactured harnesses ; the Ingliss ’ would supply a family of barbers to Charleston ; the Ellisons of Stateburg , South Carolina , were cotton gin manufactures up to the Civil War . Richard and Joseph Dereef , wood merchants and factors ( lenders ), with Richard considered one of the wealthiest FPCs in Charleston , were considered “ men of great business habits ” and highly influential .
Free Charlestonians serviced the hospitality industry , too . Eliza Lee , owner of the Mansion Hotel located on Broad Street , hosted the elite of the city . Apparently , it had a reputation for superb cooking and good management . The “ Antique and Mixed ” architecture of Jehu Jones ’ “ Jones Hotel ,” coupled with its convex windows , is said to have been situated on prime real estate being located ( also ) on Broad Street next to the famous extant St . Michael ’ s Church . Established in the early 19th century , the hotel , like Lee ’ s , attracted the elite given it “ was unquestionably the best in the city .” Visitors could expect to find “ the comforts of a private house ” along with a “ table spread with every luxury the country could afford .”
The concept of insurance and how risk management associations would serve the needs of African Americans into the
26 FINANCIAL HISTORY | Fall 2020 | www . MoAF . org