The Historic Charleston Foundation is piecing together a complex historic puzzle. For years, HCF staff have worked to uncover who enslaved Tom Russell: Sarah Russell or... Sarah Russell. You read that right.
New research from HCF reconnects a co-conspirator of the Denmark Vesey rebellion — an unrealized uprising of enslaved people planned for Charleston in 1822 — to Sarah Hopton Russell of Meeting Street’s Nathaniel Russell House. That person could have been Tom, said to have been the “armorer of the rebellion” for making weapons.
There’s also a possibility that Tom was enslaved by a different Sarah Russell, the widow of blacksmith John Russell who lived on Wentworth Street (near conspiracy activities).
So, Wentworth or Meeting? There may never be a conclusive answer, but HCF is re-examining the circumstantial evidence to bring Tom’s story back to light and learn more about those who played a part in this act of resistance.
