The African Slave Trade and Newport, Rhode Island share common origins. Newport, one of 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.
Many of the Newport slaves came from the Guinea, Gold, Ivory & Cape Coasts of West Africa. Africans were also taken from Sierra Leone and Gambia. Many others would be taken from West Africa to Charleston, South Carolina and the sugar plantations of the West Indies particularly Barbados, Jamaica & Antigua.
Photographs by Randy Santerre 2005
By
the beginning of the American Revolution, Newport would begin to have
a large Free African community. Within the next decade these Africans
would establish America's first Free African Benevolent Society in 1780.
(Click here to view
a list of free Africans in the 1774 census)
These Africans lead full and vibrant lives in spite of their enslavement. It was customary in Colonial Newport for slaves to have Sunday off to take part in religious worship, family time, and to work for their own profit. There are also cases where they would take part in public events and social gatherings. Click here to view an early account of a group of Newport slaves taking part in a picnic in the summer of 1766.
As you view the markers, several that date back to African persons living over 300 years ago, you will find many are in deep disrepair. There is a great chance these markers may be lost forever. Please join us in viewing this web site and the effort to preserve an important part of our American history.
