John Laurens

A 1780 miniature painting of John Laurens

### Relatives

Henry Laurens (Father), Eleanor Laurens (Mother), Martha Laurens Ramsay (Sister), Henry Laurens Jr (Son), Frances Eleanor Laurens (Daughter)

### Children

Frances Eleanor Laurens (b. 1777) Henry Laurens Jr (b. 1783)

## Military Service

### Tenure

1777-1784

John Laurens was a Revolutionary war soldier and Statesman from South Carolina, in the United States of America. He is known for his abolitionism and his friendship with Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton.

John Laurens was born on October 28, 1754, in Charleston, South Carolina, to Henry Laurens, a wealthy planter, and merchant, and Eleanor Ball, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Growing up in a privileged household, Laurens received an education at home, and later attended a boarding school in England. After returning to South Carolina, he joined the Continental Army in 1777, and quickly became a trusted aide to General George Washington.

During the Revolutionary War, Laurens became an advocate for ending slavery, and in 1778, he proposed a plan to enlist enslaved Africans to fight for the Patriot cause. Although his plan was initially rejected, Laurens continued to push for the emancipation of slaves, and in 1780, he was given permission to recruit a regiment of black soldiers.

After the war, Laurens returned to South Carolina, where he became involved in politics, serving in the state legislature and later in the Continental Congress. Despite his efforts, Laurens was unable to pass antislavery legislation, and he became increasingly frustrated with the slow progress of the abolitionist movement.

In 1801, he negotiated with George Eacker to prevent him from challenging a duel against Philip Hamilton, Alexander's eldest son. This increased Laurens's standing with the Hamilton family, even as he became more and more obscure.

In 1804, Laurens was devastated by the death of Alexander Hamilton, who was killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. He wrote to the Hamilton Family "I cannot express the depth of my sorrow upon hearing of the passing of our dear friend Alexander. His loss is felt keenly by all who knew him, but none more so than those who loved him best. My heart aches for you in this time of unspeakable grief. Alexander was more than a friend to me; he was a brother, a mentor, and a constant source of inspiration. His intellect, his passion, and his unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty were unmatched, and his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled."

Laurens died of pneumonia on July 2, 1809, and was survived by his two children, Frances Eleanor and Henry Laurens Jr. Despite his efforts to end slavery in South Carolina, the state remained a major center of the slave trade and continued to uphold the institution until the end of the Civil War.

While Laurens is not as well-known as some of the other Founding Fathers, his contributions to the cause of American independence and his advocacy for abolition are significant. He remains an important figure in the history of the United States, particularly in the fight against slavery and for equal rights for all.

### Legacy

John Laurens was largely forgotten outside of South Carolina, where he became a figurehead for the Civil Rights movement. In 2015, he had a boost of popularity in the Hamilton Musical, in which he is a major character in the first act. He is played by Anthony Ramos.