In honor of Black History Month, today we share part 1 of the story of Lucy Foster. Born into slavery in 1767, Lucy lived her later years as a free woman, living in her own home, on her own property.
Hi Elaine -- love this. Any evidence that Lucy ran a tavern? The Chandlers and many of their relatives ran taverns -- and women made the beer as it was women trade. Seems would be a good trade for her to make money.
I also wonder about the 1% number -- as we have Lucy and her son, Pomp, Salem Poor and his wife and others -- these alone begin to go over the 1% number in Andover in the mid-1700's
Thank you, Joann! Evidence can be challenging. For example, I haven’t seen evidence of a tavern license. Written evidence and documents relating to Lucy Foster and other African Americans of the time either doesn’t exist or hasn’t been found yet. In his writings about Lucy Foster, Anthony Martin is interpreting the material culture uncovered in the archaeological dig. I’ll email a copy of his article, “Homeplace Is also Workplace: Another Look at Lucy Foster in Andover, Massachusetts,” to you. Regarding the percentages, if it’s the 1.4% and 1.2% numbers, those are state census rather than town census. Andover’s numbers and percentages are different. Martin includes a chart in his article. Thanks! ~Elaine
As a Black resident of Andover since 1981, your article was "Wonderful"..Maybe you could do an article on twentieth century African American's in Andover.. Carl Byers was on the Finance Committe and helped get affordable housing for Andover citizens..Red Sock captain and Hall of fame inductee Jim Rice is an Andover resident.. My husband, Elmer (Al ) Kountze was District Manager for the telephone company in the Merrimac Valley area in the 80's and 90's..I am a member of the Andover Democratic Town Committee and I've been an election poll worker for years. I'm sure there are other stories!!
Some wealthy New Englanders had investments in the slave trade, Caribbean plantations etc. that enhansed their wealth. Do we know if such was the case of any Andover families?
Simon Bradstreet, one of the founding fathers and last Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony -- was trading with Barbados as early as 1649. He was an owner of a saw mill and was likely selling lumber to the West Indies in trade for Sugar and Molasses -- and by 1650's rum. Given that his son, Dudley, had a slave, and a bill for room, meals and caring for his "man" was documented in Lynn's Anchor Tavern. in 1649 -- have to assume his "man" was a slave. While Boston was involved in the Slave trade -- Newport, RI was the main New England port for slave trade and Charleston, SC even bigger. There are some documents in the Center from the 1700's showing trade with ships through Charleston and into Martinique (French owned sugar/rum producer), but no cargo is listed as slaves -- only typical sugar, rum, molasses, etc.
Thank you, Joann! I knew some of this, but not at this level of detail. I wonder if there were others. I know there were other people involved in ships and shipping.
Thank you for your question. The short answer is "most likely," but I don't have the information immediately at hand. It's a good question to explore further for a future post.
Hi Elaine -- love this. Any evidence that Lucy ran a tavern? The Chandlers and many of their relatives ran taverns -- and women made the beer as it was women trade. Seems would be a good trade for her to make money.
I also wonder about the 1% number -- as we have Lucy and her son, Pomp, Salem Poor and his wife and others -- these alone begin to go over the 1% number in Andover in the mid-1700's
Thank you, Joann! Evidence can be challenging. For example, I haven’t seen evidence of a tavern license. Written evidence and documents relating to Lucy Foster and other African Americans of the time either doesn’t exist or hasn’t been found yet. In his writings about Lucy Foster, Anthony Martin is interpreting the material culture uncovered in the archaeological dig. I’ll email a copy of his article, “Homeplace Is also Workplace: Another Look at Lucy Foster in Andover, Massachusetts,” to you. Regarding the percentages, if it’s the 1.4% and 1.2% numbers, those are state census rather than town census. Andover’s numbers and percentages are different. Martin includes a chart in his article. Thanks! ~Elaine
I'm in Florida until the end of April. Maybe we can talk when I get home. Email me if you are still intersted...
Definitely! I'll email you today. Thank you!
Thanks, Elaine. The background given broadens our view beyond Andover to all communities in New England. Looking forward to part 2!
Thank You Elaine, It's always nice to learn about the heritage of Andover residents.
As a Black resident of Andover since 1981, your article was "Wonderful"..Maybe you could do an article on twentieth century African American's in Andover.. Carl Byers was on the Finance Committe and helped get affordable housing for Andover citizens..Red Sock captain and Hall of fame inductee Jim Rice is an Andover resident.. My husband, Elmer (Al ) Kountze was District Manager for the telephone company in the Merrimac Valley area in the 80's and 90's..I am a member of the Andover Democratic Town Committee and I've been an election poll worker for years. I'm sure there are other stories!!
That's a great idea, thank you, Shirley! It could be a whole series.
Very Interesting.
Some wealthy New Englanders had investments in the slave trade, Caribbean plantations etc. that enhansed their wealth. Do we know if such was the case of any Andover families?
Simon Bradstreet, one of the founding fathers and last Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony -- was trading with Barbados as early as 1649. He was an owner of a saw mill and was likely selling lumber to the West Indies in trade for Sugar and Molasses -- and by 1650's rum. Given that his son, Dudley, had a slave, and a bill for room, meals and caring for his "man" was documented in Lynn's Anchor Tavern. in 1649 -- have to assume his "man" was a slave. While Boston was involved in the Slave trade -- Newport, RI was the main New England port for slave trade and Charleston, SC even bigger. There are some documents in the Center from the 1700's showing trade with ships through Charleston and into Martinique (French owned sugar/rum producer), but no cargo is listed as slaves -- only typical sugar, rum, molasses, etc.
Thank you, Joann! I knew some of this, but not at this level of detail. I wonder if there were others. I know there were other people involved in ships and shipping.
Thank you for your question. The short answer is "most likely," but I don't have the information immediately at hand. It's a good question to explore further for a future post.