Historedia
Person

Lewis Tappan

Events
3
Episodes
8
Years
1834–1844

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Lewis Tappan, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Anti-abolitionist riots break out in New York City

    1834

    Role: Abolitionist leader supporting anti-slavery society

    1. June-July 1834 · New York CityCounter-Meeting and Rumors

      After abolitionists failed to appear, a crowd held a counter-meeting with mock preaching and calls for deportation. This followed rumors spread by James Watson Webb about interracial marriage.

    2. July 1834 · New York CitySymbolic Attacks

      Rioters targeted buildings associated with abolitionists and African Americans. One group carried a hogshead of black ink intended to dunk white abolitionists, symbolizing racial inversion.

    3. July 7-14, 1834 · New York CityOutbreak and Violence

      The riot began on July 7, 1834, lasting nearly a week. Rioters controlled sections of the city, attacking abolitionist homes, businesses, and churches, and ransacking black neighborhoods.

  2. Lewis Tappan founds the Mercantile Agency

    1841–1844

    Role: Founder

    1. July 20, 1841 · New York CityFounding of The Mercantile Agency

      Lewis Tappan founded The Mercantile Agency in New York City on July 20, 1841, establishing the first commercial credit-rating agency in the city.

    2. 1844 · Location not specified in sourcesClient Base Expansion

      Despite accusations of personal privacy invasion, the Mercantile Agency had over 280 clients by 1844.

  3. Supreme Court rules in United States v. The Amistad

    1841–1842

    Role: Fundraiser/Requester

    1. February 24, 1841 · Supreme Court BuildingAdams Oral Argument

      Former President John Quincy Adams argued the case before the Supreme Court, speaking for four hours on February 24, 1841.

    2. March 9, 1841 · Supreme Court BuildingSupreme Court Ruling

      The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's finding that the Africans were illegally enslaved, authorizing their release but denying government-funded return to Africa.

    3. 1842 · Sierra LeoneReturn to Sierra Leone

      Thirty-five survivors returned to Sierra Leone in 1842, aided by private fundraising rather than government mandate.

Sources

  1. 1834 New York anti-abolitionist riots Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28
  2. Dun & Bradstreet Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-15
  3. Lewis Tappan Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-01
  4. John Quincy Adams Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-27