If Jane Should Want to be Sold, Marjory O'Toole
February 22, 2017 |
Stories of Enslavement, Indenture and Freedom in Little Compton, Rhode Island
Speaker and author, Marjory O’Toole, will shed light on the lives of Little Compton’s enslaved and forcibly indentured men, women and children who lived and worked in the community from 1694 to 1816.
Marjory O’Toole, Little Compton Historical Society Managing Director, will share the personal stories of some of Little Compton’s 250 enslaved and forcibly indentured people during her talk at Linden Place Mansion on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 6:30pm. Ms. O’Toole has been the Managing Director of the Historical Society for over a decade.
Last summer marked the 200th anniversary of the end of slavery in Little Compton. Kate Hilliard, the last person known to be enslaved in Little Compton, gained her freedom on August 5, 1816 when her owner, David Hilliard’s will, was approved in the local probate court. David granted Kate her freedom in his will and directed his grandson to care for her in her old age. Kate was enslaved by the Hilliard family throughout her life and worked in their tavern and the poor house that they ran. She married an enslaved man named Prince Grinnell and together they had at least two children.
The Historical Society is celebrating the end of slavery in Little Compton by honoring the lives of enslaved people like Kate Hilliard. Their stories were lost from our local history for over two hundred years and have only recently been rediscovered through the Historical Society and Ms. O’Toole’s efforts. Last July the Little Compton Historical Society published Ms. O’Toole’s book entitled “If Jane Should Want to Be Sold, Stories of Enslavement Indenture and Freedom in Little Compton, Rhode Island” and opened a special exhibit by the same title. The book is now available at the Linden Place Museum Store.
Admission to this lecture is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested as space is limited. More information is available by calling 401-253-0390
or visiting www.lindenplace.org
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Friends of Linden Place is a non-profit corporation responsible for the preservation, restoration, and promotion of Linden Place, an 1810 Federal period mansion located in the center of downtown Bristol, RI. The Linden Place organization offers cultural and educational programs to the RI community. The mansion is open from May 1st through Columbus Day, during the holiday season and by appointment.
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| Location Information |
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Linden Place Mansion |
500 Hope Street
Bristol, RI 02809 |
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| Contact Information |
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Susan Battle |
| Email:
events@lindenplace.org |
| Phone:
401-253-0390 |
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