English Heritage Publishes First National Summary of Historic Places Linked to Abolition and the Slave Trade -

Surviving buildings and sites that tell the story of the slave trade, abolition and black lives in 17th-19th century England were revealed today (Friday 23rd March), in the first research by English Heritage to bring these historic sites together for the public and provide an overview of the whole country.

As Britain commemorates the bicentenary of the Parliamentary abolition of its transatlantic slave trade, a new English Heritage web micro-site and accompanying leaflet, Sites of Memory – The Slave Trade and Abolition, provides an overview of the houses, docks, graves, plaques and memorials that are the last tangible links to this complex period of history.

More than 60 sites are featured, from the grave of an unknown slave in Lancaster where flowers are still left on the memorial, to Britain’s oldest anti-slavery memorial, a grand arch in Paganhill, Stroud. Also featured is the house in York where early Quaker abolitionist John Woolman, died of smallpox after walking all the way from London, and gothic folly Blaise Castle in Bristol, built by slave trade investor Thomas Farr, so he could run to the top and see his ships sailing back up the Avon.

Rachel Hasted, Head of Social Inclusion for English Heritage, said: “This is a history that has often been overlooked in the past, but it is fascinating to see how many links remain in the buildings and memorials around us. 

“There is evidence of the wealth that the slave trade created for British merchants, of the lives of black people brought to England through the slave trade and also of the extraordinary campaign waged by so many people in England, black and white, to end the trade. This is history on our doorstep and English Heritage is committed to helping people explore their historic environment and understand that legacy.”

In researching its own properties English Heritage has identified that Kenwood House in Hampstead was home to Lord Mansfield, who presided over the most significant court cases on slavery in England. Dido, a young black woman who was his illegitimate great-niece, was brought up as part of the aristocratic family and helped Mansfield with his legal correspondence. Their story, and a unique portrait of Dido, will be revealed in an English Heritage exhibition at Kenwood House ‘Mansfield, Slavery and Justice, A public and private legacy’, which runs from 24th May to 2nd September 2007.

The English Heritage leaflet and web micro-site introduces the homes, memorials or places of work and inspiration of some of the great abolitionists such as Olaudah Equiano, Thomas Clarkson, Ignatius Sancho, William Wilberforce, Ottobah Cugoano and Granville Sharp. It shows buildings in the major trading ports that have strong connections to the slave trade, such as the Guildhall in London where, between 1660 and 1690, 15 Lord Mayors of London, 25 sheriffs and 38 aldermen of the City of London were shareholders in the Royal Africa Company which ran the transatlantic slave trade.

It reveals the discovery of the wreck of the “Douro”, which seems to have sunk beneath the sea near the Isles of Scilly on its way from Liverpool with a cargo of beads and manilas for slave trading - 36 years after British ships were banned from the slave trade. 

Some stories of black lives at the time are told, such as Joseph Emidy, who was sent into slavery in Brazil but, surprisingly, somehow ended up playing violin at the Lisbon Opera House and ended his days as a music teacher in Truro.  Also included in the research are some places of work, of worship and grave sites for people who were slaves in 17th, 18th and 19th century England but who nevertheless left their mark on history.

At the east end of St Martin’s Church, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria, in the churchyard, there is a headstone for Rasselas Belfield who died in 1822 that reads:  

 “A Slave by birth I left my native land,

And found my Freedom on Britannia's Strand.

Blest Isle! Thou Glory of the Wise and Free,

Thy Touch alone unbinds the Chains of Slavery”

All the sites and monuments featured, except the shipwreck, can be seen from public spaces and contact details are given where possible.  Not all are open to the public but are included with the permission of the owner. 

The free leaflet, Sites of Memory – The Slave Trade and Abolition, will be available to the public from 25th March from English Heritage sites and tourist information offices – and from English Heritage customer services on 0870 333 1181. The web mico-site is at www.english-heritage.org.uk.