What well known and celebrated union general and later president owned slaves

@hlpflwthat yep he freed his slaves in 1859. 3 years after Lee did his

@hlpflwthat There is a single document that Grant signed in 1859 that emancipated "my Negro man William." The document states that Grant purchased William Jones from his father-in-law. Other than this, there's nothing known about William Jones and the circumstances of Grant purchasing and then emancipating him.

@DunningKruger being from Ohio a state that never allowed slavery but had some the worse black code laws that left freemen in a worse state than slavery in most cases. I figured he had to inherit the slaves it they belonged to his wife who was southern.

@DunningKruger And as I learned the story, Grant wasn't by any means on easy street at that point. Though I'd imagine he was more financially stable than William. I believe Grant's wife may also have had a slave or two - quite likely also obtained from the FIL.

@hlpflwthat Grant's wife claimed that there were four servants who belonged to her, but there's every indication they actually belonged to her father.