The Life and Legacy of John Shoemaker: A Look into the Past from the 1820s to the Civil War

 

John Shoemaker’s life spanned some of the most turbulent and transformative periods in American history. Born around 1801 in Kentucky, John grew up in an environment that was shaped by the presence of slavery, a foundation for the agricultural economy of the region. From his early days in the 1820s to the challenges he faced during the Civil War, his story intertwines with the complex history of the South, offering a glimpse into the lives of landowners, enslaved individuals, and the struggles of an ever-changing nation.

John Shoemaker’s Early Life and Family in the 1820s

John Shoemaker was born into a Kentucky family at the dawn of the 19th century, when the state was still deeply rooted in farming, particularly tobacco cultivation. His early life would have been marked by the importance of agricultural work and the growing reliance on enslaved labor to fuel the economy.

By the 1820s, John was starting his own family. He married Eliza Lucy Riley, and together they had children. While details of their lives in the 1820s are sparse, we know that John’s family was likely part of a broader trend of landowners in the region who relied heavily on the labor of enslaved people. In Kentucky, slavery was not just a cultural practice; it was the backbone of the economy, especially in agriculture. John’s first marriage would have further anchored him to the land, as he began his journey as a farmer, alongside his wife and children.

The Shoemaker Farm in the 1820s and 1830s

By the 1830s, John Shoemaker had established his farm in Washington County, Kentucky. His land, like many others in the area, was worked by enslaved individuals. The 1820 and 1830 censuses provide us with valuable insights into the number of enslaved individuals on his farm, revealing a complex household structure of both free whites and enslaved people.

In the 1830 census, John Shoemaker’s household included 6 enslaved individuals. These individuals were the heart of his farm’s labor force, performing a wide range of tasks from crop cultivation to household chores. In these times, Kentucky’s economy depended on the labor of enslaved people, who worked the fields, tending to tobacco, corn, and other crops. The Shoemaker family likely grew tobacco as their main cash crop, a commodity that was highly profitable in the region during the early 19th century.

The slave quarters on the Shoemaker farm were likely modest and located away from the main house. These quarters were essential for housing the enslaved individuals, who had limited space and resources. Conditions in these quarters were typically harsh, with poor ventilation, inadequate heating, and little comfort. Enslaved people were expected to work long hours, often from sunrise to sunset, without compensation, and the fear of punishment loomed large over their lives.

The Shoemaker Family’s Economic Situation

John Shoemaker’s farm was modest, but profitable. By the 1870 census, it is clear that John had a real estate value of $600 and a personal estate value of $150, reflecting his position as a small landowner in post-Civil War Kentucky. However, it is crucial to note that much of the wealth that John accumulated in the early years of his life came from the labor of enslaved people. These individuals not only worked the fields but also helped with the chores around the house, including cooking, cleaning, and childcare.

The Shoemaker family’s reliance on enslaved labor would have been a key factor in their success as farmers. Without this workforce, the profitability of the farm would have been greatly diminished. The presence of enslaved workers allowed John Shoemaker to expand his landholdings, grow more crops, and ultimately build a modest estate in a period when the country was deeply divided over the issue of slavery.

Life During the Civil War

As the Civil War approached in the 1860s, John Shoemaker’s world, like that of many Southerners, was about to change forever. Kentucky, where Shoemaker lived, was a border state, meaning it was located between the Union and the Confederacy, and divided loyalties ran high. While Kentucky remained officially neutral at the start of the war, the tensions were palpable. As the war raged on, many Kentuckians, including landowners like Shoemaker, faced tough decisions about their stance on slavery.

The end of the Civil War in 1865 brought about the abolition of slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment, a significant blow to the Southern agricultural system that had been sustained by enslaved labor. For John Shoemaker, this meant the loss of his primary workforce. The Shoemaker family, like many other Southern landowners, would have faced challenges in adapting to this new reality. Labor shortages, financial difficulties, and the loss of an entire system of agricultural production created upheaval for many who had previously profited from slavery.

John Shoemaker’s Position on Slavery

It’s difficult to say definitively where John Shoemaker stood on the moral question of slavery. Like many of his contemporaries, he may have been conflicted, living in a state where slavery was commonplace yet increasingly becoming a contentious issue. As a landowner who benefitted directly from enslaved labor, it’s possible that he, like many others, saw slavery as an economic necessity. However, with the Civil War and the eventual defeat of the Confederacy, John’s life and worldview would have undoubtedly been altered.

Legacy of the Shoemaker Family

While John Shoemaker’s direct descendants would experience the aftermath of the Civil War, his family’s legacy carries weight in understanding the history of slavery in Kentucky. John’s children, including those he had with his second wife, Sarah Shoemaker, were born into a time of transformation. His younger children, such as Hugh Shoemaker and Sarah Shoemaker, would grow up in a world where slavery was no longer legal.

Today, descendants of the Shoemaker family may still be found in Kentucky and beyond, but the legacy of their ancestor’s involvement in slavery remains a crucial part of their family history. Understanding the Shoemaker family’s past allows us to reflect on how the economic systems of slavery shaped not just the South, but the entire nation.

Conclusion

John Shoemaker’s story is a reflection of the larger history of the American South. His life, from the 1820s to the Civil War, reveals the deep connections between land ownership, enslaved labor, and the agricultural economy that defined much of Kentucky’s history. As we look back on his legacy, we are reminded of the complexities of the past and the need to confront the uncomfortable truths of history, especially regarding slavery and its lasting impact on future generations.