During the early 1800s, a large population of European immigrants began to flood the US. Many of these immigrants were young men coming to the States with the hopes of pursuing a career and successfully achieving the ‘American Dream.’ However, often this proved harder to accomplish then the majority had hoped. One example was Benjamin Oaker. Oaker was born in London and came to the US at an early age. At the age of 22, he “was convicted of forgery in the third degree and sent to Sing Sing for two years.” According to the New York State Penal Law, forgery in the third degree is, “when, with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument.” However due his time in prison he was unable to create any form of financial stability. Therefore upon being released, he lacked money and employment. To solve this dilemma, Oaker went to see Hopper.

Oaker told Hopper that before prison, “he was employed by Simion P. Smith who kept a hard ware store.” However, because he was not making enough money and was already in debt he forged a check which in turn he was caught and convicted of.  Upon release, Oaker was recommended by the warden and attorneys for employment based on his good behavior at Sing Sing. Hopper decided to help him find a job and gave him some money for the time being. Oaker also mentioned writing to his father who lives in London for financial assistance.

 A month after initially having visited Hopper, Oaker found employment with a printing business. He agreed to work without pay for three months. According to Hopper, Oaker, “is he is sober and industrious and conducts with much propriety.” A later visit to Hopper, showed that Oaker was now being paid two dollars a week and his employers were happy with his work. Oaker asked for a loan of seven dollars a little later which Hopper happily supplied him with.  In the last Diary entry about Oaker which was recorded a year later in 1849, Hopper stated that Oaker, “receives full wages as a journeyman printer and has constant employment.” Oaker talked about being recently married and expressed his gratitude towards Hopper for all of his help after being released from Sing Sing.

Oaker was only one example of many who immigrated to the US and persevered through very difficult times of poverty to become successful with the assistance of Hopper. As mentioned in the 4^th Report of the Prison Association, the goal of the association and Hopper was to help “discharged convicts with promising characters.” Their success was proven in this report because out of 536 individuals only 21 returned to prison. It is important to understand and see the progress that these individuals had made over time just because a few people refused to believe in the stereotypes surrounding formally incarcerated individuals.

Sources:

“Article 170 – NY Penal Law.” New York State Laws. January, 1, 2019. Accessed March 15, 2019. http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article170.htm#p170.05

“4^th Report of the Prison Association of New York: Including A List of the Officers and Members.” (Albany: Weed, Parsons &Co., Public Printers, 1849.)