Enslavement
The transatlantic trade of people from Africa to the Americas, referred to as the Middle Passage, forcibly moved about 20 million people from their homelands onto ships where between 10-20% died before reaching land again. Those who survived brought languages, stories, and cultural knowledge, but little else--leaving future generations with only a vague understanding, or in most cases no knowledge of their cultural heritage. These survivors were among the first immigrants arriving to colonial America--though usually not recognized as such, since the use of the dehumanizing term "slave" continues to prevail in recounting this time period. Of those enslaved Africans who were forced to disembark in Maryland, many came from present day Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Ghana. Through the horrific process of forced immigration, these enslaved African immigrants lost their kin as well as their tribal and ethnic identities.
The transatlantic trade of people from Africa to the Americas, referred to as the Middle Passage, forcibly moved about 20 million people from their homelands onto ships where between 10-20% died before reaching land again. Those who survived brought languages, stories, and cultural knowledge, but little else--leaving future generations with only a vague understanding, or in most cases no knowledge of their cultural heritage. These survivors were among the first immigrants arriving to colonial America--though usually not recognized as such, since the use of the dehumanizing term "slave" continues to prevail in recounting this time period. Of those enslaved Africans who were forced to disembark in Maryland, many came from present day Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Ghana. Through the horrific process of forced immigration, these enslaved African immigrants lost their kin as well as their tribal and ethnic identities.
Portrait of Yarrow Mamout (Muhammad Yaro), 1819, by Charles Willson Peale (Philadelphia Museum of Art)
An exception among the lost stories and identities of enslaved Africans is Yarrow Mamout, an educated gentleman and follower of Islam originally from Guinea. Forced into slavery at the age of 16, he worked for Upton Beall in Montgomery County. He paid for his freedom 44 years later at 60 years old. Once emancipated, Mamout bought a property in Georgetown, the only property in the United States known to be owned by a formerly enslaved African-born man. Baltimore artist Charles Willson Peale painted his portrait because he believed Mamout exemplified the traits he admired, including wise choices, a healthy lifestyle, and positive attitude. Peale “perceived Yarrow’s perseverance in the face of racism and enslavement as a model of resourcefulness, industriousness, and sobriety” (quote from the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection). For more information about Yarrow Mamout, see "From Slave Ship to Harvard"(2012) by James Johnston.
An exception among the lost stories and identities of enslaved Africans is Yarrow Mamout, an educated gentleman and follower of Islam originally from Guinea. Forced into slavery at the age of 16, he worked for Upton Beall in Montgomery County. He paid for his freedom 44 years later at 60 years old. Once emancipated, Mamout bought a property in Georgetown, the only property in the United States known to be owned by a formerly enslaved African-born man. Baltimore artist Charles Willson Peale painted his portrait because he believed Mamout exemplified the traits he admired, including wise choices, a healthy lifestyle, and positive attitude. Peale “perceived Yarrow’s perseverance in the face of racism and enslavement as a model of resourcefulness, industriousness, and sobriety” (quote from the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection). For more information about Yarrow Mamout, see "From Slave Ship to Harvard"(2012) by James Johnston.
Many colonial African immigrants arrived under other conditions. Mathias de Sousa and at least one other man of African descent arrived on the ships, the Ark and the Dove, that carried English settlers into the Chesapeake Bay in 1634. Mathias de Sousa, a Catholic man of African and Portuguese descent, was an indentured servant for Father Andrew White and freed in 1638. These are but a few of the thousands of stories both known and unknowable.
Many colonial African immigrants arrived under other conditions. Mathias de Sousa and at least one other man of African descent arrived on the ships, the Ark and the Dove, that carried English settlers into the Chesapeake Bay in 1634. Mathias de Sousa, a Catholic man of African and Portuguese descent, was an indentured servant for Father Andrew White and freed in 1638. These are but a few of the thousands of stories both known and unknowable.
By 1790, the U.S. Census recorded 6,030 enslaved people, a third of the county’s population. By 1850, the combined number of enslaved (5,114) and “Free Colored” (1,311) people comprised over 40% of the total population (15,860). These African immigrants and their first, second, and third generation children played an important role in the formation of Montgomery County and its immigrant story. Ongoing historical and archaeological research will continue to reveal more about these enslaved people who were forced to immigrate and their African heritage.
By 1790, the U.S. Census recorded 6,030 enslaved people, a third of the county’s population. By 1850, the combined number of enslaved (5,114) and “Free Colored” (1,311) people comprised over 40% of the total population (15,860). These African immigrants and their first, second, and third generation children played an important role in the formation of Montgomery County and its immigrant story. Ongoing historical and archaeological research will continue to reveal more about these enslaved people who were forced to immigrate and their African heritage.
1790 Census data for Maryland, by county. (U.S. Census Bureau)