Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
1. Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square Marker
Near this spot on January 1. 1851, a mob of 1,200 to 1,500 people lynched an unidentified black man for the murder of John Chester, the Memphis City Recorder. The victim was likely a passenger aboard the SS Winfield Scott. which had ported in Memphis that day. At 2 p.m. police arrested him on suspicion of being a runaway slave and escorted him to city offices on Front Street for questioning. By state law he was required to present his certificate of freedom to the city recorder, John Chester. Chester declared the certificate a forgery and ordered the man to be arrested as a runaway slave.
Upon hearing that his freedom was being revoked, the black man exclaimed, "I am as free as you are," pulled out a pistol, and fatally shot Chester in the back of the head. A witness confiscated the pistol. The assailant was taken to the jail at Market Square. According to The Memphis Eagle, a mob soon formed, forced the jailer to surrender his keys, dragged the prisoner outside, and hanged him from a nearby tree. Before dying, the victim reportedly confessed he was a slave, having run away from D.L. Herron of Coffeeville, Mississippi. This lynching is believed to be the first in Shelby County. The name of the victim was never determined.
Erected 2019 by The Lynching Sites Project
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1851.
Location. 35° 9.137′ N, 90° 2.923′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. Marker is on North 2nd Street north of Market Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Court House, First Newspaper (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); First Tavern (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Mary's Catholic Church (about 500 feet away); Lauderdale Courts / Presley Family at Lauderdale Courts (about 500 feet away); Congregation B'Nai Israel (about 600 feet away); Josiah T. Settle (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Memphis Waterfront (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Additional keywords. lynching, terrorism
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
2. Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square Marker
Reverse side
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020
3. Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 565 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
