1839-02-24, Fielding, Violence (Physical Assault)

Title: 1839-02-24, Fielding, Violence (Physical Assault)
Description: On February 24, 1839, Fielding was violently assaulted by students Franklin English and Madison McAfee between Wertenbaker's and McKennie's store. When Fielding's white enslaver University of Virginia professor Charles Bonnycastle attempted to stop the beating, McAfee grabbed Bonnycastle by the collar and used "threatening...Profane and abusive language" toward him. Despite Bonnycastle's intervention, English and McAfee continued to mercilessly beat Fielding "in such a manner as to endanger his life."
This event is recorded in the Minutes of the General Faculty, March 2, 1839, Volume 5, and the Journals of the Chairman of the Faculty.
Event Type: Violence: Physical assault
Action Status: Completed
Date: 1839-02-24
Source: Minutes of the General Faculty, 1825-1922, RG-19/1/1.461, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia; Journals of the Chairman of the Faculty, 1827-1864, RG-19/1/2.041, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia
Primary Participant: Fielding
Freedom Status: Enslaved
Enslaver: Charles Bonnycastle
Perpetrator: Franklin English; Madison McAfee