Linda Darden
The North Carolina region of JASNA welcomed several guests to the January 2024 meeting featuring a presentation from NC member Sharon Ware. The session focused on learning about freed blacks during the Regency and colonial eras with both English and American individuals highlighted. Sharon shared her background, pointing out that while she is not trained in history, her fascination with this topic has led her to research and learn about several well-known and lesser-known individuals.
To set the context, an overview of the period of chattel enslavement was provided, with key historical events noted. While many may be familiar with the Zong case, there were several other legal cases and Parliamentary acts that let to the elimination of slavery in England. In America, as we know, the abolishment of slavery was much later. The History of Slavery series of the Empire podcast was recommended for learning more about the global history of slavery. Despite this, several freed people of color played important roles in America’s story.
With many of these historical events and figures being significant at the time, it is likely that Jane Austen was aware of much of what was transpiring in England and even America. Her two brothers in the Navy are understood to have strong abolitionist beliefs, and it is tempting to speculate about what she knew and intended by the few slavery references in her writings. In particular the group discussed Mansfield Park, the reference to abolition in Emma, and the introduction of Georgina Lambe in Sanditon. Regarding abolition, the presentation touched on some of the prominent abolitionists during Jane Austen’s lifetime, including Thomas Clarkson. In her own letters, Austen wrote of admiring his writings, so it is reasonable to think that she may have found alignment with this perspective.
Providing more specifics, Sharon provided an overview of some of the prominent freed black individuals and people of color living in England at the time, with many of the names likely familiar to Jane Austen but perhaps not as familiar to some JASNA members. The movie Belle introduced many to the story of Dido Belle, niece of Lord Mansfield (see this episode of the Austen Chat podcast for more on Dido Belle), and some may know about Ignatius Sancho, an author, merchant, land owner, and one of the first people of color to vote in an English election. There were countless additional important lives to discuss including Tony Small who lived in Ireland after saving a Irish nobleman on the battlefield, the brilliant musician George Bridgetower for whom Beethoven composed a sonata, and author/storyteller Mary Prince who wrote of her experiences in enslavement. Many other life stories were shared along with historical context.
With regard to America of the time, there were many freed people of color who served roles in the Revolutionary War or were otherwise known at the time. Attendees were encouraged to research some of these histories such as Salem Poor, James Armistead Lafayette, and Benjamin Banneker. Given the movements in England to abolish slavery, those who fought for the Crown were offered freedom which meant that key roles were played by people of color on both sides of the war. Beyond the battlefield additional well known black individuals in America included poet Phyllis Wheatley and the furniture craftsman Thomas Day. Honoring our home state, some well known North Carolinians (in addition to Thomas Day) were highlighted.
Given this background there was much discussion about additional sources of research on this subject, including some published in JASNA’s Persuasions (See this article and this article from NC member Kuldip Kuwahara). After sharing so much history, and many names that were new to the attendees, Sharon wrapped up by noting how much there is to learn on this topic. Perhaps because Jane Austen’s position is not clear, the door is open to dig further and learn more about the role of freed blacks at this time in history. As noted by Sharon, this is a great example of how the works of Jane Austen, and JASNA itself, encourages us to constantly learn and grow.
Sharon will be hosting a study tour this April to New Bern, NC for further exploring the freed blacks of the Regency and Colonial periods. Explore her travel business’s website to learn more.
Next Up
Next month our Virtual Book Club returns, and we’re reading Austen contemporary Charlotte Lennox’s comic novel The Female Quixote. Learn more and register here.