The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Story of Julia Chinn by Amrita Chakrabarti Myers: A Book Review

The Vice President’s Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn

Author: Amrita Chakrabarti Myers

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography

Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Release Date: 2023

Pages: 427

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Award-winning historian Amrita Chakrabarti Myers has recovered the riveting, troubling, and complicated story of Julia Ann Chinn (ca. 1796–1833), the enslaved mixed-race wife of Richard Mentor Johnson, owner of Blue Spring Farm, veteran of the War of 1812, and US vice president under Martin Van Buren. Johnson never freed Chinn, but during his frequent absences from his estate, he delegated to her the management of his property, including Choctaw Academy, a boarding school for Indigenous men and boys. This meant that Chinn had substantial control over economic, social, financial, and personal affairs within the couple’s world, including overseeing Blue Spring’s enslaved labor force. Chinn’s relationship with Johnson was unlikely a consensual one since she was never manumitted.

My Review: The Vice President’s Black Wife tells the story of Julia Chinn. She was the secret wife of Robert M. Johnson, who was the vice-president during President Martin Van Buren’s administration. Julia was Robert M. Johnson’s slave. After Julia secretly married Robert M. Johnson, she tried to assert herself on the same status as a wealthy white woman. Julia’s marriage would destroy Richard M. Johnson’s political career.

Julia was born the slave of Robert and Jemina Johnson. Her mother was a field slave, and her father was a white man. She was chosen to become a house slave. Julia was gifted to Richard M. Johnson as his housekeeper. She bore him a daughter named Imogene. Julia then married Richard in a secret ceremony in order to give her daughter a better life than herself. Even though she was Richard’s wife, he never freed her and she would remain a slave for life. Julia also gave birth to another daughter named Adeline. As Richard’s wife, she became the mistress of his plantation and helped run his school for Native Americans named Choctaw Academy. Her daughters were given the best education. They often flaunted themselves in society and rode in carriages. Her daughters would marry prominent local white men and were given estates and slaves. Mrs. Myers claimed that Julia’s marriage with Richard was consensual, and she was given many benefits.

Overall, this was a very fascinating biography of a forgotten historical figure! I had never heard of Julia Chinn, so I found her story to be enlightening! There were times that I thought this book was drawn-out and repetitive. However, I felt that Julia’s story needed to be heard! The Vice President’s Black Wife plucks Julia out of obscurity and into history books! Hopefully, there will be more studies on Julia Chinn in the future! I recommend this book for fans of Jefferson’s Daughters, The Hemingses of Monticello, and The Life and Times of Hannah Crafts!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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