Members of the Efik clan, the men were seen as valuable assets because they spoke multiple languages (including English), were literate, could negotiate, and had a strong knowledge of the slave trade.
While in the Kingdom of Great Britain, the two men successfully petitioned the British courts for their freedom.
Several months later, Captain William Sharp of Liverpool convinced the Robin Johns that he would transport them back to Africa if they could escape to his ship.
Shortly after Thompson's death, the Robin Johns encountered some sailors from Old Town who were in port in Virginia on the slave trading ship Greyhound.
Upon arriving in Liverpool, O'Neil transferred the Robin Johns to another ship headed back to Virginia with plans to sell them again.
Immediately after the ambush, Grandy King George had written to Thomas Jones, asking for his help with bringing his brother and nephew home.
Jones used the 1772 ruling on the James Somersett case, attempting to use Habeas Corpus to free the Robin Johns.