This account highlights the cruelty towards and suffering of Jonathan Strong and gives a glimpse into the workings of the British system of enslavement. This story, documenting his horrific experience is only but one such incidence that would be foundational to exposing the cruelty and dehumanization of the system of trafficking in humans for financial enrichment. The fight waged in the courts against the status quo would ultimately result in this becoming a pivotal case in British slave history, which would prove to be the beginning of the challenge to the very existence of the enslavement in Britain and across the British slave world.
Jonathan Strong was a strong, young, enslaved man, who was born in Barbados and owned by David Lisle, a British enslaver and lawyer. In 1765 Strong was taken to London by Lisle. While there he was severely pistoled-whipped by Lisle and left for dead on the streets of London. By the intervention of fate, Jonathan Strong was able to make his way to the offices of Dr. William Sharp on Mincing Lane. In his practice Dr. Sharp liberally granted his services free of charge to the poor of London.
1765 – Dr. William Sharp’s medical practice was located on this street.
Credit: Wikipedia
On that fateful day in 1765, Granville Sharp, the brother of Dr. Sharp, was visiting his brother at his Mincing Lane offices, when Jonathan Strong came in for medical attention.
Credit: Look and Learn
The brothers, being so horrified by his condition, were committed to his care and recovery. Dr. Sharpe had him admitted to hospital, where he remained for a number of months, after which they attended to his maintenance and care for four months until he was fit to find work. He would then be employed as an errand boy with a Quaker apothecary on Fenchurch Street, who was a friend of the Sharp brothers.
His worst fears were realized two years later in 1767, when David Lisle saw Jonathan on the streets of London and organized to have him kidnapped and thrown in prison. Having accomplished this, Lisle promptly sold Strong off to a
James Kerr, a Jamaican planter. Consequently, Jonathan languished in jail waiting to be transported back to the West Indies, to a life of enslavement. However, Jonathan got word to Granville Sharp regarding his situation and Sharp swiftly
went to his aid.
Credit: Universal History Archive
Despite being threatened by both Lisle and Kerr, Sharpe would present his case before the Lord Mayor of London, seeking Jonathan’s release, arguing that there had been no wrong-doing on the part of the young man. Lisle would however argue that as his property, he was well within his right to do with Jonathan as he pleased. However, the Lord Mayor agreed that Strong had committed no crime and should be set free.
Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum
Jonathan strong would win his release but his health being permanently impaired from the beating he was subjected to from Lisle, he would succumb five years later, dying at the age of twenty-five years.