Beschreibung:

CDV portrait of James "Professor Jim" Williams. Wilson: Hartford, Connecticut, n.d., ca 1875. Photographer's 258 Main St. imprint on verso. Williams is pictured wearing a long black coat, a plaid waistcoat, and a cravat, standing with his arm resting on a large studio prop beside him. What appears to be a kind of stand is also visible behind Williams's feet. Pencil inscription on recto: "'Prof Jim,' of Trinity College, / Hartford." James Williams (1790-1878) was a longtime custodian at Trinity College, fondly known as “Professor Jim.” Born into slavery to Revolutionary War Colonel John F. Robert, he was witness to Robert’s friendship with Aaron Burr, and it was to Robert’s estate that Burr fled to after his duel with Alexander Hamilton, an account not recorded elsewhere but mentioned in Charles Hayden Proctor's contemporary biography of Williams. At 20, Williams escaped and served in the American Navy and commercial vessels during the War of 1812. After several years at sea, he settled in Connecticut and became a household servant to Bishop Brownell, founder of Trinity College. He would serve in various capacities at the College, rising to Chief Janitor. His biographer and a descendant of Colonel Robert, C.H. Proctor, noted, Williams “was affectionately remembered as an uneducated but intelligent Negro janitor who became a college institution, 'a prominent personage at Class-Day celebrations', and a speaker to graduating seniors.” A lounge was named in his honor in March 1999. Condition: CDV with clipped corners, light spotting, and surface soil. Penciled catalogue/collection codes on verso.