The Northamptonshire Black History Project (NBHP), now in its final year, has recorded and promoted the histories and stories of Northamptonshire’s Black communities and individuals from the past 500 years.
One of the many gems unearthed which offered a glimpse into the black presence in Northamptonshire included a gravestone of Catherine ‘Kitty’ Prentice in Woodford by Thrapston village church. She was brought to England by Reverend GAF Watson. The gravestone reads ‘Kitty – After years of faithful and loving service in India and England fell asleep in Christ XXVII May 1865 – not merely a servant but above a servant, a sister beloved’.
John Anderson
In contrast, John Anderson, who was a slave in Louisiana, USA was connected to Corby. In December 1861 he was sent to study at the British Training Institution run by John Pool. He had escaped slavery and it was alleged that during his escape he killed aman. The American government traced him to Canada and tried to extradite him back to Louisiana to face trial. With the help of the people of Corby and the friends he made during his fight against extradition, he went to live in Liberia as a free man.
This innovative project won the coveted 2005 CILIP/LiS Libraries Change Lives Award for involving communities and impacting on people’s lives. Carolyn Abel, Director of Northamptonshire’s Black History Project said. “It is not often that grass-root organisations like ours, particularly Black groups, receive awards for excellent work, often undertaken in a voluntary capacity”.
The project will continue in the form of a membership organisation to carry on the activities of the project including work with schools, a quarterly Newsletter, small publications and historical research. If you would like to become a member of the Association or join the committee please contact the office on 01604 590697 or email: [email protected] |
