Henry Laurens: American revolutionary and prisoner at the Tower of London

Henry Laurens was an American revolutionary, politician, slave trader, and merchant, and one of only a few Americans known to have been imprisoned at the Tower of London. Curator Charles Farris introduces his life and some interesting details of his time at the Tower.

Henry Laurens and the transatlantic slave trade

Henry often wrote that he was strongly opposed to the transatlantic slave trade – the trade in enslaved African people - but his actions strongly contradicted his claims.

He benefited significantly from the transatlantic slave trade. In particular, he profited from the sale of enslaved people from Africa and goods manufactured using enslaved labour. These included exports of rice and indigo (a natural dye), and imports of Caribbean rum. Henry also exported deerskins in large numbers, many of which would have been traded with Native Americans.

Having profited greatly from these colonial trades, Henry invested much of his wealth in land and plantations. These totalled about 20,000 acres, predominantly in South Carolina, Georgia, and West Virginia. All likely maintained with enslaved labour.

As a partner of the firm Austin and Laurens, Henry Laurens imported thousands of enslaved Africans to South Carolina, particularly during the years 1752-56. Laurens commented that this trade was 'the most profitable' of all those he engaged in. In 1762, he apparently ceased trading in enslaved Africans — citing a lack of business partners as the main reason. The disrupting influence of the Seven Years' War (1756-63) on the transatlantic slave trade was almost certainly a contributing factor to this decision.

In the years that followed Laurens expressed opposition to the slave trade in several of his letters, going so far as to state, 'I abhor Slavery' in 1766. Despite these claims, Laurens remained heavily engaged in the trade in enslaved people and continued to profit from it. For example, Laurens facilitated the sale of enslaved Africans in Charles Town for slave trader Richard Oswald, as late as 1773. Laurens profited from these sales, for example receiving a commission of 5% in 1755.

In 1776, Laurens owned 797 enslaved Africans. The same year he wrote to his eldest son John stating that he 'abhorred the institution of slavery'. Shortly afterwards he is reported to have freed several enslaved people. However, he owned 298 enslaved people as late as 1790. Although at the time of his death, in 1792, he was still indicating his intention to free his enslaved workers, he had freed only a few.

John Laurens

John Laurens (Henry’s son) is well known for his political and military career – and is a prominent figure in the musical Hamilton. John is perhaps best known for his efforts to recruit enslaved Africans to fight for American Independence.

In March 1779, Congress approved a regiment of 3,000 enslaved people who would be granted freedom and $50 if they served loyally for the duration of the war. This plan also promised $1,000 compensation to their former enslavers. However, the plan was unsuccessful due to the substantial opposition of politicians, merchants, and plantation owners in the South.

Henry Laurens and American Independence

Laurens entered politics when he was elected to the Commons House of Assembly in 1757. This was the dominant political institution in colonial South Carolina. He served the Assembly, almost without interruption, until the American Declaration of Independence, on 4 July 1776.

Henry began as a political moderate regarding his attitude towards America's status as a British colony – opposing overt criticism of British royal authority. However, his political position may have been heavily influenced by financial concerns. In February 1776, he wrote that the word 'Independent' caused him to fear losses.

However, Laurens believed Britain should respect the rights of the citizens of North America. He had previously declined a position on the royal council on the grounds that it was dominated by royal lackeys with no regard for the welfare of the province. In 1776, he participated in the defence of Charles Town against the British and eventually accepted the break from the British Empire was inevitable.

Laurens served as a delegate, and later president, to the Continental Congress from 1777-9. The Continental Congress was the governing body which acted as the provisional government of the colonies and coordinated resistance to British rule.

Laurens is imprisoned at the Tower of London

In 1780, Laurens set sail for the Netherlands to negotiate a loan of $10 million from the Dutch and offer a treaty of friendship and commerce. Three weeks into the voyage he was captured by the British and transported to England.

On arrival in London, Laurens was accused of treason — a serious charge which could have resulted in his execution. As a high-profile political prisoner, he was imprisoned at the Tower of London from 6 October 1780, where he remained until 31 December 1781.

Laurens was a prolific writer and kept an account of his time at the Tower. This provides a fascinating insight into his captivity and life inside the Tower at this time.

Where was Laurens imprisoned?

Laurens was imprisoned in the home of Yeoman Warder James Futterell. Another Warder, Richard Cooper, was assigned to guard him. Laurens recalled in his account that the people of the House, particularly the 'Mistress' (in likelihood Katherine Futterell) objected to his being imprisoned in their house. Regardless he wrote that they were 'respectful & kindly attentive'.

Futterell’s home was likely Number 4 Tower Green, much of which survives to this day. This building, south of the Beauchamp Tower, was then larger. Henry’s rooms (which he recorded totalled 20-foot square) were likely on the ground floor of the building. This was intended to 'expose him' to the ridicule of onlookers, and iron bars were fixed to his window the day after he arrived.

Clashing with the Colonel

Laurens had a difficult relationship with the Deputy Lieutenant of the Tower, Colonel John Gore, who had overall daily responsibility for his imprisonment. Gore was furious when Laurens interacted with another prisoner, Lord George Gordon, and denied Laurens 47 days exercise.

Lord Gordon was President of the Protestant Association and was imprisoned on allegations of instigating anti-Catholic riots. He later sent Laurens a piece of 'Scots cake', which further angered Colonel Gore. Laurens seems to have got on better with Lieutenant General Charles Vernon, Gore’s superior, who Laurens recorded 'behaved like a gentleman'.

George – an enslaved servant?

The day he arrived at the Tower, Laurens requested that 'my Servant, a Black Boy named George may attend me in the place destined for my confinement'. A later letter suggests that George was around 17 years old at this time. George was permitted to visit Laurens at the Tower, but they were not to be left alone together, presumably to monitor what they discussed. Later writings recorded how secret letters were smuggled into the Tower for Henry, which had to be burned after reading. George perhaps facilitated this activity. After Laurens was released from the Tower, he sent George back to America.

George’s legal status is unclear. Laurens wrote that he had given George 'absolute freedom' before he visited Europe – but claimed that George had rejected his offers to free him. Years later, on 7 July 1790, Laurens instructed his executors that George was to be freed after his own death. This letter recorded that George was 26 years old and was working for him as a carpenter. He also wrote that George was to be given 120 silver dollars to buy tools and clothes – and added that he be allowed to take away any tools he was working with at the time of his death.

Sadly, we have no record of George’s own thoughts or feelings, with which to confirm or contest Laurens’ writings. Laurens frequently expressed concern for the wellbeing of enslaved people. For example, he opposed sales which resulted in the splitting up of enslaved families, however he also stated sometimes this was an 'irresistible necessity' – showing that business was his priority.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

Laurens arrived in Paris only two days before the signing of the Treaty of Paris, on 3 September 1783 – which officially ended the War of American Independence. There he joined American Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.

Although he arrived late, Laurens influenced several Articles in the provisional Treaty. In particular, adding an Article stating that the British troops should not carry off enslaved people 'or other property'. In adding this clause, Laurens was protecting the financial interests of Americans, including his own.

Last years

Laurens returned to New York in August 1784 and later that year reported to Congress in Philadelphia. Shortly after arriving home, he received the news that his son John had died in a skirmish – one of the very last casualties of the war.

In 1785, he returned to Charleston (formerly Charles Town). Henry died at his Mepkin Plantation, about 40 miles north of Charleston, on 8 December 1792. Following instructions in his will, he was one of the first Americans to be cremated.

Global histories

Henry Laurens is an important figure who is far better known in America than in the UK. His writing reflects the complexity and contradictions of his character. We see this contradiction in his declared concern for the welfare of enslaved people – a concern that was frequently disregarded in the interest of profit. Laurens was a businessman first and foremost.

Laurens’ writings provide a fascinating insight into life at the Tower in the 18th century. By exploring lesser-known stories like his, we can better understand the Tower’s rich past and how it connected with wider global events and histories.

Suggested further reading

The Papers of Henry Laurens were published in 16 volumes by University of South Carolina Press between 1968 and 2003.