Monroe Edwards

Edwards was a slaver and forger. Originally from Danville, Kentucky, he came to Texas to work as a clerk for James Morgan, but quickly left his employ. He partnered with Christopher Dart to establish a slave smuggling ring, bringing enslaved people from Cuba to Texas, using a land grant he secured in Brazoria County as a base of operations. He tried to swindle Dart, who sued him and won a judgement of almost $90,000. Edwards fled to Europe and claimed to be a San Jacinto veteran and abolitionist. He returned to the US and became involved in forgery scheme in New York. He was caught in 1842 and his trial became a national news sensation. He died in Sing Sing prison in 1847.