About the Project

…ate University James O. Horton, George Washington University Lois E. Horton, George Mason University Gunja Sen Gupta, Brooklyn College and Graduate Center, CUNY Clarence Taylor, Baruch College, CUNY Mike Wallace, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY Judith Wellman, State University of New York at Oswego Shane White, University of Sydney Craig Steven Wilder, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Interns Paula Austin, The Graduate Ce…

Abolitionist Brooklyn (1828 – 1849)

…Society (ACS). The organization sought to relocate free black communities to Liberia, and Van Sinderen raised a significant amount of money for that purpose. They did not believe American society could or should be culturally diverse. Ironically, James W. C. Pennington, one of the earliest opponents of colonization schemes, worked as Van Sinderen’s coachman. The lives of pro- and anti-slavery activists were intimately intertwined. [Certificate of…

Civil War & Beyond (1861 – 1867)

…ion Army began allowing African American men to enlist for the first time. Despite receiving lower wages, poor supplies, and lesser chances for promotion than their white colleagues, these men demonstrated tremendous bravery to end slavery and be recognized as equal citizens of the United States. Lieutenant Peter Vogelsang. Copy photograph of a carte de visite, originally taken by unknown photographer, circa 1863-1865. From the 54th Massachusetts…

A Gradual Emancipation (1783 – 1827)

…desire to be free and enslaved people found ways to resist their oppression. They were assisted by a small, but significant, free black community who resided in the town of Brooklyn. These pioneers represented the first wave of anti-slavery activists. Slaveholding Capital Life, History and Unparalleled Sufferings of John Jea, the African Preacher, 1811. Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University. Teacher’s Manual Section 1: Lesson 2 Th…

Crisis Decade (1850 – 1860)

…t abolitionist. He published the Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, An American Slave (1849) designed to tell his own story and provide a source of income as a free man. But former fugitives such as Bibb were often contracted by various anti-slavery societies to tell their story directly to audiences. They challenged proslavery propaganda and revealed the mental, physical, and sexual violence perpetuated upon the black body. Broo…

US Department of Education Resources

…and a series of public programs scheduled for the next five years. Legacy of Slavery in Maryland preserves and promotes experiences that have shaped the lives of Maryland’s African American population. From the day that Mathias de Sousa and Francisco landed in St. Mary’s County aboard the Ark and the Dove in 1634, black Marylanders have made significant contributions to both the state and nation in the political, economic, agricultur…

Timeline

…were Oliver and Anjelika Treibuen in his autobiography. But historian Graham Hodges found no evidence of this couple living in Flatbush at that time. It is possible that Jea created these names to protect himself and others. According to Hodges his actual enslavers were likely to be Albert and Anetje Terhune. 1790 Population Schedules of the First Census of the United States, 1790. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Service. Teacher’s…

For Educators

…lp students think about the history of abolitionism and anti-slavery activism in 19th century Brooklyn. It is designed as a flexible resource, adaptable for students in grades 4-12. Filled with primary sources, this manual traces the gradual unfolding of Brooklyn’s role in the anti-slavery movement through census records, contemporary anti-slavery and local newspapers, maps, illustrations, city directories, pamphlets, account books, letters, and…

Abolitionist Biographies

…cher became the inaugural pastor of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights. The church was founded in 1847 by a group of Brooklyn Heights residents who held anti-slavery views. By the 1850s, Beecher had gained a national reputation for his commitment to abolitionism, theatrical preaching style, and ability to fundraise for anti-slavery causes. He assisted in the emancipation of a number of young women and his congregation raised money for the purcha…

Walking Tours

…on Ferry, transformed into a bustling city. Brooklyn Heights — the first commuter suburb in the United States — signaled this change. Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, Brooklyn’s first modern land developer, sold farmland previously owned by slave holders to individual investors. Soon, Brooklyn contained paved streets, streetlights, schools, churches, homes of various styles, and a variety of businesses. ↗ Open map in new window WEEKSVILLE The financial…