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Here in Newport, Rhode Island we have several physical ‘touch stones’ to remind us of the legacy left by those Africans and later African Americans who graced our city with their presence. From 1696 when the first documented slave ship, the ‘Sea Flower’, touched our shores, to the present, African Americans have worked, raised their families and prospered in the city by the sea. The American Slave Trade and Newport share similar origins. Newport, the most prosperous of colonial American ports, saw unprecedented growth throughout the 18th century; mostly from the export and trade of rum, spermaceti candles and slaves. By 1784, the fledgling state government abolished slavery. Many of the slaves that came to Newport’s shore would arrive, like most goods, at the Long Wharf. These slaves would be auctioned off to the highest bidders at the Granary (market), which is today known as the Brick Market at the foot of Washington Square. If colonial Newport was known as one of America’s most active slave ports, it was equally known as one of the new country’s most liberal communities for the pursuit of religious freedom. This unique atmosphere of religious tolerance would lead to the demise of popular support of human bondage led by two of America’s first humanitarians and abolitionists; Reverend Samuel Hopkins and Reverend Ezra Stiles of the First and Second Congregational Churches. Both men preached fiery sermons from their pulpits against the evils of slavery. Because of the dedication and vision of these two men, and the decline of Newport as a major trading port after the Revolutionary War, slavery would end in Newport by the commencement of the 19th century. Where did these slave and free Africans live and work in early Newport? What were they like? Do any of these sites exist in Newport today? Numerous sites exist today that were built, lived in, or in some way touched by Newport’s long history with the African and African American community. Listed here are a few of the many intriguing sites that have withstood the test of time. |
God’s Little Acre on Farewell Street has been recognized as having some of the oldest, and possibly the largest, collection of markers of free Africans and slaves dating back to the late 1600’s. It is also the place where we find perhaps the first artwork signed by an African American: Zingo Stevens, a stonecutter who worked from the John Stevens shop. Newport Gardner’s family, the Zingo Stevens family, and the Quamino family are buried there.
Click on image to learn more about God's Little Acre African American burial ground.
Quaker Meeting House originally built as early as 1699 was a place of worship for African American and Quaker Paul Cuffe. He was a merchant and sea captain from Westport, MA and attended Sabbath meetings here. African Americans both slave and free were known to attend services seated in the upper loft. Remarkably, this building stills stands in Newport on Marlboro Street. The Hopkins House is the residence of Reverend Samuel Hopkins of the First Congregational Church. Hopkins was an early abolitionist to speak out from his pulpit against slavery -before the Revolutionary War. He was friend and mentor to Newport Gardner, and along with Rev. Ezra Stiles, made plans to educate two former slaves as missionaries and send them to Africa. These plans were thwarted by the outbreak of the Revolution. A testament to Hopkins's humanity is that he preached not only for the abolition of slavery, but also for the full equality of Africans with Europeans.
The Bours House on Division Street was also the home and studio of Occramar Marycoo, or more commonly known as Newport Gardner. This enterprising man came to our shore as a student, but was enslaved. Sold to the Gardner family, he quickly demonstrated intelligence and piety. A gifted singer, Marycoo/Gardner taught music after obtaining his freedom, and helped to found the church here and later in Boston. In 1826 Marycoo/Gardner, at the age of eighty, returned to Africa along with several other members of his church, landing in what is now known as Liberia. He taught music from the garret room of this house.
"Crooked Shanks" music credited to Newport Gardner. His most known work (during the late 18th century) was an anthem entitled "Promise" - no known copy of which exists today.
1770 Installation of Samuel Hopkins as the Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Newport - Sermon delivered by Rev. Ezra Stiles, Pastor of the Second Congregational Church
The Channing Home at 24 School Street was where Duchess Quamino, a slave in the William Channing household, baked cakes and pastries. In time, she became known as the ‘Pastry Queen of Rhode Island,’ selling her cakes and eventually buying her freedom. Even after she was no longer a slave, she continued to bake from her former master’s kitchen. William Ellery Channing writes eloquently of her both on her epitaph and in his memoirs.
The Rice Family Home at the Corner of Thomas and Williams Street was built by a freeman of color, Isaac Rice in the mid-18th century, it has seen continuous residence by his descendants for over 200 years. It was a station of the Underground Railroad, and it is known to have been visited by Frederick Douglas.
47 John Street was the home of one of Newport's most prominent African Americans. Born in 1840, in Princeton, NJ Mahlon Van Horne became the pastor of the Union Congregational Church in 1869, Van Horne was the first black to serve on the Newport School committee. He held terms between 1873 and 1892. Van Horne was also the first black to serve in the Rhode Island legislature. He was elected a Representative to the State General Assembly three times -in 1885, 1886 and 1887. He continued as pastor of the Union Congregational Church for 28 years - until 1896 when he was appointed US Counsel to St. Thomas, WI by President William McKinley. He later took up missionary work in Antigua in the West Indies and died there in 1910. His son, M. Alonzo Van Horne, would become the first black dentist in Rhode Island, graduating from Howard Medical School.
Rev. Mahlon A. Van Horne
Union Congregational Church, built in 1871 after the 1738 building burned, still stands in Newport.The Union Congregational Church at 49 Division Street is today a private residence, but it's African American origins date back to the 18th century. Chartered in 1824, this church was founded as an outgrowth of the African Union Society in 1780, the first self-help organization for Africans in America. These newly freed men, would retain their African pride and tradition by blending English and African names for themselves and their children. The records of the organization are still preserved today describing the deeds of proud African men with names like Occramar, Nubia, Cuffe, Yama and Cudjo.
1877 Calling Card of Businessman George T. Downing Bellevue Avenue - Downing Block - George T. Downing opened the Sea Girt Hotel on Bellevue Avenue in 1854 and later the Downing Block of retail stores. Downing was influential in local policy making and a success symbol to the local black community. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Downing was involved in the abolitionist movement and had established political ties with black rights advocate Frederick Douglas. Downing successfully advocated for the integration of public schools in Newport immediately after the Civil War.
African American Newport resident Hannibal Collins was a member of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (Black Regiment) during the Revolutionary War. Later he would serve under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Black Patriots Park is located in neighboring Portsmouth, Rhode Island this was the location of the battle of Rhode Island in 1778. This battle was one of the largest land battles fought during the war. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment, formed exclusively with slaves and free blacks, repelled a major Hessian and British force. This black regiment existed nearly 85 years before the 54th Massachusetts of the Civil War! The Regiment today is recognized as the first time African Americans would serve their country as an organized military unit.
A Special Series of Articles in the Providence Journal highlights some of the many achievements of many other African American Rhode Islanders. Click on the image to read more about these heroic men and women of Rhode Island.
What's in a Name?
"Plantations"
Debate in Rhode Island not always black or white
