Historical Events in January 1831

  • Jan 1 Slave plantation owner Charles Farquharson begins his diary at Prospect Hill Plantation, Watlings Island (San Salvador). Only plantation diary to survive from the Bahamas (ends Dec 1832). [1]

The Liberator

Jan 1 William Lloyd Garrison publishes 1st issue of abolitionist newspaper "The Liberator" in Boston; publication continued until the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in 1865

  • Jan 3 1st US building & loan association organized, Frankford, Penn
  • Jan 15 1st US railroad honeymoon trip, Mr & Mrs Pierson, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Jan 15 1st US-built locomotive to pull a passenger train makes 1st run

Event of Interest

Jan 22 Charles Darwin takes his Bachelors of Art exam at Christ's College, Cambridge, coming tenth out of 171 candidates