Gilbert Horton
Gilbert Horton was a free-born black citizen who was captured with the intent on being sold into slavery.Background
In August 1826, a local business owner in Croton Falls, New York, named John Owen noticed an advertisement in The National Intelligencer describing Horton. Owen brought this to the attention of William Jay, who was the son of John Jay, in order to express concern over the capture of a free citizen.Relief from capture
Through the efforts of Jay and Owen, Governor DeWitt Clinton wrote a letter on behalf of Horton's freedom, to then President John Quincy Adams.
The work of Governor Clinton and Senator Henry Clay ultimately secured Horton's release.
