John Bolding

John A. Bolding (approximately 1824 – April 30, 1876) was an affluent black tailor and former slave who became an influential figure in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Early life Bolding was born into slavery in approximately 1824 in South Carolina. With the aid of the Underground Railroad, he arrived in Poughkeepsie, New York, around 1840, where he began working as a tailor at 4 Liberty Street alongside fellow black tailor Francis J. Moore. His skills and work ethic earned him a reputation in the town, and locals patronized his shop for their tailoring needs.

The court ruled that Bolding was indeed a slave, and he was returned to Anderson's custody.

Community response As outlined in a journal kept by John S. Grubb; at least 178 individual citizens and families of Poughkeepsie, outraged by Bolding's arrest, raised funds to secure his release. A committee was formed, and the locals raised over $1,000, with additional funds coming from Albany and New York City. Within a week, Anderson's demands were met, and John Bolding returned to Poughkeepsie as a free man. Although he paid for his own burial plot, his grave was unmarked, a common practice at the time.

Legacy Citizens of Poughkeepsie memorialized his life and odyssey with a bronze memorial, unveiled on May 16, 1998.