Mary John
American former slave (died 1857)
About Mary John
Mary John (–1857), originally Marie Jeanne was born into slavery in the province of Louisiana (New Spain). She purchased her freedom in 1840 and then ran a tavern in Arkansas Post, Arkansas, that was recognised for the quality of its cuisine. Unusually for a black woman at that time, her death led to an obituary in the Arkansas Gazette.
Early years as a slave The records relating to John are incomplete, particularly regarding her early life.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mary John?
American former slave (died 1857)
When did Mary John die?
Mary John died in 1857.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Mary John (Marie-Jeanne)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mary John. https://biography.guide/mary-john/
MLA: "Mary John." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mary-john/.
Chicago: "Mary John." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mary-john/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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