Nineteenth-Century African American Narratives and Speeches in Britain and Ireland

Celeste-Marie Bernier is Professor of United States and Atlantic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. She is the author/editor/curator of over 85 books, exhibitions, essays, and digital educational resources including the Douglass Family Lives: Anna Murray and Frederick Douglass Family Biography and Collected Works nine-book series. She is a Senior Advisor at Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Rochester, N.Y., and an Honorary Member of the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, Easton, Maryland. Hannah-Rose Murray is a Teaching Fellow in US History at Queen Mary, University of London, UK. Her first book, Advocates of Freedom: African American Transatlantic Abolitionism in the British Isles, was published in 2020. Her accompanying website (www.frederickdouglassinbritain.com) maps thousands of Black activist speaking locations in Britain and Ireland and is the basis for her community and heritage work.

• List of Figures Acknowledgements Authors’ Note Foreword by Ernest J. QuarlesIntroductionBibliography of Digital and Print ResourcesCharles Freeman (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading1. Charles Freeman, The Escaped Slave: An Autobiography of Charles Freeman, with a Preface by the Rev. J. Whitby, Ipswich. London: Partridge & Oakey, [1853].2. Anon., The Life of Charles Freeman, Once An American Slave. London: Crozier & Mullin Printers, [1850?].Phebe Ann Jacobs (1785–1850)Biography and Further Reading3. Mrs. Thomas C. Upham [Phebe Lord Upham], Narrative of Phebe Ann Jacobs. London: W. and F. G. Cash, 1850.Benjamin Crompton Chisley/William Jones (1812–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading4. Benjamin Crompton Chisley / William Jones, A Short Narrative of Benjamin Crompton Chisley or William Jones. Manchester: Cathrall & Co., 1851.John Hart (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading5. Anon., The Life and Sufferings of John Hart, An American Slave. Bradford: Joseph Bentley, n.d. [after 1855].John Williams (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading6. John Williams, Narrative of John Williams, A Negro. Chatham, Kent: R. Taylor Albion, 1855.Henry (surname unknown) (1820–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading7. Henry (Surname Unknown), ‘The Story of a Fugitive Slave: With a Glance at the Present Aspects of the Slavery Question in the United States’. Edited by Frederick William Chesson, The Lady’s Newspaper, London, England, September 1856–January 1857.James Watkins (c. 1823–1825–date unknown) Biography and Further Reading8. James Watkins, Narrative of the Life of James Watkins. Manchester: Printed for James Watkins, 1859.William Gustavus Allen (c. 1820–1888)Biography and Further Reading9. William Gustavus Allen, A Short Personal Narrative. Dublin: William Curry & Co., 1860.John Comber (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading10. John Comber, Narrative of a Poor African, Who Escaped From Slavery with his wife and four children. N.p.: 1861.Sarah Parker Remond (1826–1894) Biography and Further Reading11. Sarah Parker Remond, ‘Sarah P. Remond’ in Matthew Davenport Hill, Our Exemplars, Poor and Rich; or, Biographical Sketches of Men and Women Who Have, By An Extraordinary Use of Their Opportunities, Benefited their Fellow-Creatures. London: Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, 1861, pp.276–86.James Cheeney Thompson (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading12. James Cheeney Thompson, ‘Remarkable Escape from Slavery,’ in The Harbinger: A Magazine of The Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion. London: Ward & Co., September 1863), pp.267–71.Dinah Hope Browne (1815–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading13. John Hawkins Simpson, Horrors of the Virginian Slave Trade and of the Slave-Rearing Plantations: The True Story of Dinah, An Escaped Virginian Slave. London: A. W. Bennett, 1863.John Sella Martin (1832–1876) Biography and Further Reading14. Anon., Narrative of the Rev. John Sella Martin, in Baptist Wriothesley Noel, Freedom and Slavery in the United States. London: James Nisbet, 1863, pp.156–70.Lewis Smith (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading15. Jacob Odgers, The Self-Ransomed Slave, A Biographical Sketch of Lewis Smith. Redruth: N. Odgers, 1871.James Alfred Johnson (1847–1914)Biography and Further Reading16. The Life of the Late James Johnson (Coloured Evangelist), an Escaped Slave From the Southern States of America, 40 Years Resident in Oldham, England, c.1877–1878. Copyright: Alice Johnson. Oldham: W. Galley, 1914.Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862–1931)Biography and Further Reading17. Ida B. Wells (Ida B. Wells-Barnett), United States Atrocities, with an Introduction by S.J. Celestine Edwards. London: ‘Lux’ Newspaper and Publishing Co. (Ltd.), 1892.D. E. Tobias (c. 1870–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading18. D. E. Tobias, Freed… But Not Free. The Grievances of the Afro-American. London, S. H. Burrows, 1898.Benjamin William Brown (1841–date unknown) Biography and Further Reading19. Benjamin William Brown, Life in Slaveland. Burnley: Nuttall & Co., 1902. 　List of Figures Acknowledgements Authors’ Note Foreword by Ernest J. QuarlesIntroductionBibliography of Digital and Print ResourcesBenjamin William Brown (1841–date unknown) Biography and Further Reading1. Anon., ‘An Ex-Slave at Tufnell-Park,’ The Islington Gazette, London, England, 22 August 1888, p.3.2. Anon., ‘Scenes in Slave-Land’, Gravesend and Dartford Reporter, Gravesend, Kent, England, 25 January 1890, p.4.Hallie Quinn Brown (c. 1850–1949)Biography and Further Reading3. Anon., ‘The Education of Freed Slaves,’ The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 27 February 1895, p.6.4. Anon., ‘The American Negro. His Aspirations and Grievances,’ The Edinburgh Evening News, Edinburgh, Scotland, 14 January 1896, p.4.5. Anon., ‘Miss Hallie Q. Brown at Rhyl,’ Rhyl Record and Advertiser, Rhyl, Denbighshire, Wales, 10 December 1898, p.8.John Brown (c. 1818–1876)Biography and Further Reading6. Anon., ‘Anti Slavery Lecture,’ Bristol Times, Bristol, England, 25 September 1852, p.3.William Wells Brown (c. 1814–1884)Biography and Further Reading7. Anon., ‘William Wells Brown’, North and South Shields Gazette, North Shields, England, 4 January 1850, p.5.8. Anon., ‘Slavery in America’, The Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 19 January 1850, p.7.9. Anon., ‘Slavery in the United States’, Carlisle Journal, Carlisle, England, 14 March 1851, p.2.10. Anon., ‘Three Fugitive Slaves in Nottingham,’ Nottingham Review, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, 4 April 1851, p.3.Thomas Morris Chester (1834–1892)Biography and Further Reading11. Anon., ‘Condition of the Negro,’ The Manchester Weekly Times, Manchester, England, 23 January 1864, p.3.12. Anon., ‘Captain Chester on the American War,’ The Ashton Weekly Reporter and Stalybridge and Dukinfield Chronicle, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, Greater Manchester, England, 30 January 1864, p.3.Nelson Countee (c. 1833/1834–1886)Biography and Further Reading13. Anon., ‘Lecture by a Runaway Slave’, Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, 19 July 1876, p.4.Ellen Craft (1826–1891) William Craft (1824–1900)Biography and Further Reading14. Anon., ‘Anti-Slavery Meeting in Newcastle’, Newcastle Guardian, Newcastle, England, 15 March 1851, p.4.15. Anon., ‘Three Fugitive Slaves in Nottingham,’ Nottingham Review, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, 4 April 1851, p.3.16. Anon., ‘Freedom in the United States’, Bucks Herald, Uxbridge Advertiser, Windsor and Eton Journal, 26 November 1859, p.5.17. Anon., ‘Running One Thousand Miles for Freedom’, East London Observer, 22 March 1862, p.2.Alexander Crummell (1819–1898)Biography and Further Reading18. Anon., ‘African Episcopal Church,’ The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, 15 September 1849, p.5.William Howard Day (1825–1900)Biography and Further Reading19. Anon., ‘The Fugitive Slaves in Canada,’ The Hull Packet and East Riding Times, Hull, Yorkshire, England, 10 May 1861, p.6.Isaac Perry Dickerson (c. 1850–52–1900)Biography and Further Reading20. Anon., ‘Successful Temperance Mission’, The Wiltshire Times, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, 20 November 1897, p.5.Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)Biography and Further Reading21. Anon., ‘Mr. Frederick Douglas’s Lectures on American Slavery,’ Carlisle Journal, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, 22 August 1846, p.4.22. Anon., ‘Mr. Douglass,’ Leeds Young Men’s Antislavery Society, Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 24 December 1859, p.7.23. Anon., ‘A Distinguished Coloured Visitor,’ Bridport News, Bridport, Dorset, England, 22 October 1886, p.1.Washington Duff (1829–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading24. Anon., ‘Slavery,’ The Cambridge Independent Press, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, 28 January 1865, p.7.Francis Fedric (c. 1810–c.1870) Biography and Further Reading25. Anon., ‘Lecture on American Slavery’, The West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal, London, England, 8 March 1862, p.2.26. Anon., ‘The Horrors of Slavery’, The West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal, London, England, 17 May 1862, p.3.Henry Highland Garnet (1815–1882)Biography and Further Reading27. Anon., ‘Anti-Slavery and Free Labour’, Worcestershire Chronicle, Worcester, Worcestershire, England, 26 March 1851, p.8.28. Anon., ‘American Slavery’, The Hereford Times, Hereford, Herefordshire, England, 3 May 1851, p.7.Jacob D. Green (1813–unknown)Biography and Further Reading29. Anon., ‘The American War and Slavery’, The Bradford Review, Bradford, England, 12 September 1863, p.5.30. Anon., ‘The Human Race, from the Creation to the Nineteenth Century,’ The North Cheshire Herald, Chester, England, 6 January 1866, p.2.Walter Hawkins (1809–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading31. Anon., ‘The Negro Bishop in Exeter,’ The Western Times, Exeter, Devon, England, 6 August 1891, p.3.32. Anon., ‘Bishop Hawkins On His Slavery Days,’ The Western Daily Press, Bristol, England, 21 August 1891, p.5.Josiah Henson (1789–1883)Biography and Further Reading33. Anon., ‘‘Uncle Tom’ in Portsmouth’, Hampshire Telegraph & Sussex Chronicle, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, 23 September 1876, p.8. 34. Anon., ‘Uncle Tom at the Royal Albert Hall’, Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 3 February 1877, p.11. 35. Anon., ‘Uncle Tom in Dundee’, Dundee Courier & Argus and Northern Warder, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, 9 March 1877, p.6.36. Anon., ‘Uncle Tom in Dundee’, The Northern Warder and Bi-Weekly Courier and Argus, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, 13 March 1877, p.3.Josiah? Hughes (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading37. Anon., ‘The American War’, Bedfordshire Mercury, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, 21 May 1864, p.4.Edward Irving (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading38. Anon., ‘Lecture on Slavery by an Escaped Slave,’ The Cheltenham Chronicle, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, 25 October 1864, p.2.John Andrew Jackson (c. 1825–c. 1899) Julia Jackson (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading39. Anon., ‘Lecture By A Fugitive Slave,’ The Gravesend Reporter, Gravesend, Kent, England, 1 September 1860, p.4.William Andrew Jackson (1832–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading40. Anon., ‘Anti-Slavery Meeting At the Bury Athenaeum: Address of Mr. Andrew Johnson, Late Coachman to Mr. Jefferson Davis,’ The Bury Times, Bury, Lancashire, England, 21 February 1863, p.2.R. M. Johnson (dates unknown) Biography and Further Reading41. Anon., ‘Lecture on American Slavery, by an Escaped Slave,’ The Essex Standard, and General Advertiser for the Eastern Counties, Colchester, Essex, England, 27 January 1865, p.3.Edmond Kelley (1817–1894)Biography and Further Reading42. Anon., ‘Slavery’, Bristol Times, Bristol, England, 26 February 1853, p.6.43. Anon., ‘Lecture on American Slavery’, The Evening Freeman, Dublin, Ireland, 8 April 1853, p.4.John Sella Martin (1832–1876)Biography and Further Reading44. Anon., ‘The Rev. Sella Martin’s Welcome’, Daily News, London, England, 16 February 1863, p.3.45. Anon., ‘An Ex-Slave’s Opinion of the War’, The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, 5 September 1863, p.7.46. Anon., ‘The Experience of an Escaped Slave’, Northampton Mercury, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, 13 February 1864, p.5.47. Anon., ‘The Freedmen of America’, The Leicester Chronicle and the Leicestershire Mercury, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, 16 February 1867, p.8.William M. Mitchell (c. 1826–c.1879)Biography and Further Reading48. Anon., ‘Lecture on America, Last Night,’ Western Daily Press, Bristol, England, 7 March 1861, p.3.49. Anon., ‘American Slavery,’ The Leicester Chronicle, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, 21 June 1862, p.4.Nathaniel Paul (1793–1839)Biography and Further Reading50. Anon., ‘Slavery in the United States’, Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, Devizes, Wiltshire, England, 31 January 1833, p.3.51. Anon., ‘Wilberforce Settlement’, Bury and Norwich Post, Norwich, Norfolk, England, 11 December 1833, p.3.James William Charles Pennington (c. 1807–1870)Biography and Further Reading52. Anon., ‘American Slavery. Soiree to Dr. Pennington, The Newcastle Guardian, Newcastle, England, 27 April 1850, p.3.Joseph Charles Price (1854–1893)Biography and Further Reading53. Anon., ‘A Black Minister on Negro Life: A Series of Lectures in Hastings’, The Hastings and St Leonards Observer, Hastings, East Sussex, England, 1 October 1881, p.3.54. Anon., ‘Negro Progress in America,’ The County Express, Dudley, Worcestershire, England, 24 June 1882, p.2.Charles Lenox Remond (1810–1873)Biography and Further Reading55. Anon., ‘Mr. Remond’s Lecture on Slavery’, The Belfast News-Letter, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland, 15 October 1841, p.2.56. Anon., ‘American Slavery, and Prejudice Against Colour’, Manchester Times, Manchester, Lancashire, England, 27 November 1841, p.3.Sarah Parker Remond (1826–1894)Biography and Further Reading 57. Anon., ‘Miss Remond’s Anti-Slavery Lecture,’ The Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, 17 March 1859, p.4.58. Anon., ‘Lecture on Slavery by Miss Remond’, Birmingham Daily Post, Birmingham, England, 25 January 1861, p.3.59. Anon,. ‘Lecture on American Slavery by Miss Remond’, Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser, Leigh, Lancashire, England, 1 September 1860, p.3.Moses Roper (c. 1815–1891)Biography and Further Reading60. Anon., ‘American Slavery, ‘The Leicestershire Mercury and General Advertiser for the Midland Counties,’ Leicester, Leicestershire, England, 19 May 1838, p.2.61. Anon., ‘Moses Roper the Escaped Slave’, The Bradford Observer, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, 5 March 1840, p.3.62. Anon., ‘Lecture on American Slavery,’ Hereford Times, Hereford, Herefordshire, England, 4 August 1855, p.9.Amanda Berry Smith (1837–1915)Biography and Further Reading63. Anon., ‘Christian Convention at Keswick,’ Carlisle Express and Examiner, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, 3 August 1878, p.6.Lewis Smith (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading64. Anon., ‘Popular Lectures at Surrey Chapel’, The South London Chronicle, London, England, 9 March 1861, p.4.65. Anon., ‘The Freedmen of America’, The Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 14 April 1870, p.4.James Cheeney Thompson (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading66. Anon., ‘American Slavery’, The Lancaster Guardian, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, 12 October 1861, p.4.67. Anon., ‘The Evils of Slavery,’ The Ulverston Mirror, Ulverston, Lancashire, England, 9 November 1861, p.7.68. Anon., ‘American Slavery’, Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England, 12 March 1864, p.4.D. E. Tobias (c. 1870–date unknown)Biography and Further Reading69. Anon., ‘The Negro in America,’ The Evening Telegraph, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, 5 December 1898, p.5.70. Anon., [‘By a Lady Correspondent’] ‘Black Woman and White Woman,’ The Dundee Courier, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, 16 December 1898, p.6.William Troy (1827–1905) Biography and Further Reading71. Anon., ‘Condition of the Slaves of Canada.’ The Bristol Daily Post, Bristol, Bristol, England, 14 September 1860, p.2. Samuel Ringgold Ward (1817–c. 1866)Biography and Further Reading72. Anon., ‘American Slavery’, The Bury and Norwich Post and Suffolk Herald, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, 19 July 1854, p.6.73. Anon., ‘American Slavery’, The York Herald, York, Yorkshire, 28 October 1854, p.6.James Watkins (c. 1821–1825 - date unknown)Biography and Further Reading74. Anon., ‘Lecture on Slavery,’ The Wolverhampton Chronicle, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, 26 October 1853, p.4.75. Anon., ‘American Slavery’, The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 22 July 1854, p.12.76. Anon., ‘Lectures on Slavery at Stony Middleton,’ The Derby Mercury, Derby, Derbyshire, England, 9 April 1856, p.4.Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862–1931)Biography and Further Reading77. Anon., ‘Lynch Law in the Southern States of America’, Aberdeen Weekly Journal, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 25 April 1893, p.4.78. Anon., ‘Lynch Law in America’, Reynold’s Newspaper, London, England, 3 June 1894, p.2.79. Anon., ‘The Negro – a Man and a Brother’, The Leeds Mercury, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 6 July 1894, p.3. Turner Williams (dates unknown)Biography and Further Reading80. Anon., ‘A Slave’s Adventures’, Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 16 July 1853, p.3.

Nineteenth-Century African American Narratives in Britain and Ireland presents a remarkable collection of narratives penned by self-liberated American individuals in the UK. These nineteenth narratives enrich our collective knowledge, empathy, and appreciation for the resilience of those who endured enslavement. This important collection resonates with profound historical significance.Professors Bernier and Murray provide the speeches of both men and women who traveled the UK, lecturing on the ills of slavery. Nineteenth-Century African American Speeches in Britain and Ireland exposes us to self-liberated American individuals who lectured the anti-slavery case in the UK. A book we did not know we needed