The Enigmatic Life and Tragic Death of John S. Montmollin

John Samuel de Montmollin II's life was a tapestry woven with ambition, wealth, and controversy. Born in 1808 in the bustling city of Savannah, Georgia, Montmollin carved a name for himself as a prominent banker, plantation owner, and, most infamously, a slave trader. His life, shrouded in the moral complexities of his time, came to a sudden and violent end on June 9, 1859, on the Savannah River. This is the story of his life and the legacy he left behind.

A Life of Influence and Infamy

John Montmollin's connections were as far-reaching as his ambitions. He was the first cousin, once removed, of Aaron Burr, a Vice President of the United States, who once stayed at the Montmollin home during a visit to Savannah in 1802. In 1842, Montmollin married Harriet M. Rossignol, cementing his social standing further in the city of Savannah.

By 1848, Montmollin had assumed the role of city marshal and owned a plantation, establishing himself as a man of influence and means. His financial acumen led him to become the president of the Mechanics' Savings Bank of Savannah in 1854, a bank that boasted a capital of $250,000 by 1857, an amount equivalent to nearly $2.8 million in 2024. His investments included the construction of a three-story brick building, known today as the John Montmollin Warehouse, completed with $11,500 in funding—about $402,457 in today's money. The building's third floor served a dark purpose: it was a slave pen.

Montmollin's involvement in the slave trade extended beyond mere ownership. In December 1858, he sought to purchase "one or two gangs of rice field Negroes." His daughter-in-law, in a 1931 interview, claimed that Montmollin was instrumental in organizing the illegal transatlantic slave transport Wanderer in 1858, aiming to reopen the trade.

The Dark Dealings of a Slave Trader

Montmollin's dealings in human trafficking were underscored by a letter dated January 31, 1857, addressed to Ziba B. Oakes. In it, he requested the purchase of "four Black Boys ages 18 to 21, large-size ones preferred," emphasizing field hands and advising to "buy them as cheap as possible." This letter, preserved in the Boston Public Library's Anti-Slavery Collection, paints a grim picture of the era's harsh realities.

A Violent End

The life of John S. Montmollin was abruptly cut short on June 9, 1859, when a boiler exploded on the steamboat John G. Lawton as it traversed the Savannah River. Montmollin was one of approximately eleven victims. His body was discovered in a marsh, embedded head downwards, some seventy to eighty yards from the explosion site, indicating the force with which he was propelled into the air. A handkerchief, gripped tightly in his hand, was a testament to the harrowing last moments he experienced.

Remarkably, Montmollin met his end near the very place where captives from the Wanderer had been held, adding a chilling layer of irony to his demise.

The Aftermath

In the wake of Montmollin's death, his widow faced a financial quagmire. Discovering that her husband had died with debts exceeding $30,000, she petitioned the court in 1863 for permission to sell the estate slaves she had inherited. Her request was granted, and in April of that year, she sold 81 slaves in Savannah for $88,000, an equivalent of $2,247,330 in 2024.

A Lasting Legacy

John S. Montmollin's life and death were emblematic of a turbulent era in American history. His story, rooted in the antebellum South's complex tapestry of wealth, power, and human suffering, serves as a poignant reminder of the past's shadows that continue to inform the present.

Sources

• Wikipedia: John S. Montmollin

This narrative brings to life the facts and figures of John S. Montmollin's story, without leaving behind the complexities and controversies that defined him.