Newport Middle Passage Project invites Dr. Akeia Benard, Curator of Social History at New Bedford Whaling Museum, to Newport to discuss her research on the lives and culture of African-Americans in colonial Newport, and their later journey from bondage to freedom. She will be speaking at Newport Historical Society, 82 Touro Street on Wednesday, August 22nd at 6 pm.
Through research that combines oral history, analysis of documents, and archaeological excavation/analysis of artifacts and material culture, a database has been created of approximately 1,000 names of African Americans who lived in Newport between 1774 and 1826, thus attempting to understand the earliest African American community in Newport.
A noted example of life in early Newport is Occramar Marycoo, also known as Newport Gardner. Captured in Ghana as a teenager and purchased by merchant and slave trader Caleb Gardner, Newport Gardner eventually purchased his own freedom. Later as secretary of the African Union Society of Newport, he contributed to the mutual aid and advancement of his community, leaving a long historical trail of documents illustrating life of African-Americans in Newport.
At the end of his life, Newport Gardner chose to return to Africa aboard the brig Vine in 1826:
One aged black was among the number, who seemed to be filled with almost youthful enthusiasm for the cause. “I go,” he exclaimed, “to set an example to the youth of my race. I go to encourage the young. They can never be elevated here. I have tried it sixty years; it is in vain. Could I by my example lead them to set sail, and I die the next day, I should be satisfied.”
Thank you for this. Thank you.
-Eloise Valencia of NJ