Criminal Podcast Summary: "The Sale"

Criminal, hosted by Phoebe Judge and produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network, delves into the intricate and often overlooked narratives of crime, punishment, and morality. In the episode titled "The Sale", released on December 6, 2024, the podcast explores a pivotal event in American history—the 1838 sale of enslaved individuals by Jesuit priests from their Maryland plantation to Louisiana. This detailed summary captures the episode's key discussions, insights, and emotional narratives, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

I. Historical Context and the Early Jesuit Presence in Maryland

The episode opens with a historical overview of the Jesuit presence in Maryland, highlighting their role in establishing the Roman Catholic Church in America and their reliance on enslaved labor.

• Phoebe Judge sets the scene:

  "On November 22, 1633, two ships, the Ark and the Dove, set sail from England. Both were headed across the Atlantic to Maryland. On board the Ark was a Jesuit Catholic priest, Father Andrew White." (00:00)

• William Thomas, a history professor at the University of Nebraska, elaborates on the Jesuits' activities:

  "Priests who relied on slave labor and slave sales established the nation's first Catholic archdiocese. They helped to build the nation's first Catholic cathedral." (02:24)

The Jesuits established tobacco plantations, purchasing enslaved people from West Africa to sustain their economic and religious endeavors. Despite their participation in the oppressive system of slavery, these priests paradoxically recognized the humanity and souls of the enslaved individuals, viewing them as beings worthy of spiritual care even as they exploited their labor.

II. The Mahoney Family and Freedom Suits

Central to the episode are Charles and Patrick Mahoney, descendants of Ann Joyce, a black woman who was wrongfully enslaved despite her status as an indentured servant.

• Phoebe Judge narrates Ann Joyce's plight:

  "Ann Joyce worked for one of Maryland's richest Catholic families, the colony's deputy governor. And when the terms of her contract were up, she went to him with her papers." (04:04)

• William Thomas explains the legal battles:

  "Unlike some white people at the time, who viewed enslaved people as brutes, as animals, these priests didn't. They saw them as human beings... sometimes they were enforced, and the penalties could be horrifying." (02:53)

In 1791, Charles and Patrick Mahoney filed freedom suits, arguing that they descended from indentured servants and should therefore be free. Over 50% of such suits in Maryland and Washington, D.C., were successful, challenging the stability of slavery within the legal framework of the time.

III. Edward Queen's Landmark Freedom Suit

Edward Queen, a descendant of Ann Joyce, becomes a significant figure when he files a freedom suit in May 1794.

• Letitia Clark shares her personal connection:

  "Edward Queen is a direct ancestor of mine... He must have been an amazing person of courage." (08:42)

• Phoebe Judge details the trial:

  "One of the key witnesses was the son of a midwife... Another key witness was a white man who'd grown up near the plantation... he is declared by a jury... he should be a free person." (11:00)

Edward successfully proves his lineage and wins his freedom. However, this victory does not extend to his immediate family, who remain enslaved, highlighting the fragmented nature of resistance within enslaved communities.

IV. The Jesuits' Financial Struggles and the 1838 Sale

By the 1830s, the Jesuit plantations, including St. Inigos in southern Maryland, faced financial difficulties as tobacco cultivation declined and the demand shifted towards cotton.

• William Thomas discusses the economic pressures:

  "The Jesuit leaders at the time said there was no way to keep Georgetown afloat... the way to get it was to sell off the enslaved." (24:04)

In response, Thomas Mulally, president of Georgetown, secures permission from Rome to sell approximately 300 enslaved individuals for $115,000 to buyers in Louisiana. This sale aimed to alleviate the financial strain but had devastating personal consequences for the Mahoney family.

V. The Experience of Harry Mahoney and His Family

Harry Mahoney, an enslaved man at St. Inigos, becomes a focal point in understanding the human impact of the sale.

• Pwhebe Judge recounts Harry's actions during the War of 1812:

  "One day, Harry noticed a British ship... he took his family into the woods to hide. The British soldiers ransacked the plantation. They took every valuable thing they could find. When they left, Harry Mahoney came out of the woods and showed the priests that he'd saved the money." (20:01)

In recognition of his loyalty, the Jesuits promise Harry and his family they would never be sold. However, this assurance is shattered when Mulally pushes through the large-scale sale in 1838.

• William Thomas describes the emotional toll:

  "They know that everyone, nearly everyone, will be sold... It must have been agonizing." (25:07)

The sale results in the separation of Harry's family, with some members, including his daughters Anna and Bibiana, being forcibly transported to Louisiana aboard the slave ship Catherine Jackson. The traumatic journeys and the loss of family bonds exemplify the brutal realities of slavery.

VI. Modern Genealogical Discoveries and Reconciliation

The episode transitions to the present, illustrating how descendants like Jeremy Alexander and Letitia Clark uncover their ancestral ties to the Mahoney and Queen families through DNA testing and genealogical research.

• Jeremy Alexander shares his discovery:

  "You are also a descendant of the enslaved people who were sold back in 1838 by the Jesuit priests who ran Georgetown College... I am at Georgetown University." (32:27)

• Letitia Clark discusses her family's revelations:

  "I believe that, you know, in the beginning... I couldn't sleep. It was a lot to take in." (40:34)

These personal stories highlight the enduring legacy of slavery and the ongoing quest for identity and justice among descendants. The reconciliation efforts culminate in Georgetown University's formal apology in April 2017.

• Father Timothy Kasecki, president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, issues the apology:

  "Today, the Society of Jesus... stands before you to say that we have greatly sinned." (42:43)

This acknowledgment serves as a powerful gesture towards healing, recognizing the suffering inflicted on generations of enslaved individuals.

VII. Emotional and Social Implications

The episode delves into the emotional burden carried by descendants who learn about their ancestors' suffering and resilience.

• Letitia Clark reflects on the emotional impact:

  "It was a teary time... survivor's guilt... it's a natural feeling." (40:43)

• Jeremy Alexander expresses the significance of historical recognition:

  "To have Father Kasecki to go up and say it was their fault and to ask for our forgiveness was very powerful to me." (43:14)

These narratives underscore the importance of historical acknowledgment and the personal journeys of those seeking to understand their heritage.

VIII. Conclusion

"The Sale" encapsulates a profound exploration of slavery's legacy, legal resistance, and the enduring quest for identity and reconciliation among descendants. Through meticulous historical recounting and personal testimonies, Criminal sheds light on a dark chapter of American history, emphasizing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of systemic oppression.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Phoebe Judge:

  "On November 22, 1633, two ships, the Ark and the Dove, set sail from England." (00:00)

• William Thomas:

  "Priests who relied on slave labor and slave sales established the nation's first Catholic archdiocese." (02:24)

• Letitia Clark:

  "Edward Queen is a direct ancestor of mine... He must have been an amazing person of courage." (08:42)

• Rachel Swarns:

  "More than 50% of all of the freedom suits in Washington, D.C. and Maryland were successful." (07:02)

• Jeremy Alexander:

  "To have Father Kasecki to go up and say it was their fault and to ask for our forgiveness was very powerful to me." (43:14)

Key Takeaways

• Historical Legal Resistance: Enslaved individuals like Charles, Patrick, and Edward Mahoney took significant risks to challenge the institution of slavery through legal channels, achieving notable successes that questioned the very foundations of slavery in America.

• Jesuit Involvement in Slavery: The Jesuits' financial dependency on slave labor and their eventual decision to sell enslaved people underscore the deep entanglement of religious institutions in the perpetuation of slavery.

• Genealogical Discoveries: Modern descendants uncovering their ancestral connections to enslaved families highlight the long-lasting impact of slavery on personal identities and familial histories.

• Reconciliation Efforts: Institutional apologies, such as Georgetown University's acknowledgment of its past, play a crucial role in the healing process for descendants of enslaved individuals.

• Emotional Legacy: The psychological and emotional ramifications for descendants of slavery, including feelings of survivor's guilt and the struggle for identity, are enduring and deeply personal.

Final Thoughts

"The Sale" serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and often painful histories that shape present identities and institutions. Through meticulous storytelling and personal narratives, Criminal offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the historical events and their lasting repercussions, fostering a deeper appreciation for the resilience and courage of those who sought freedom and justice against overwhelming odds.