New Hampshire's Black History

Our speaker today was our own Jane Mason who gave us an overview of black history in New Hampshire.  See the links at the end of the narrative for the links Jane used to prepare her talk, and the links to the videos she tried to share during her talk, but did not have audio...Happy viewing!
 
Jane shared stories from WMUR-TV's (Channel 9) New Hampshire Chronicle.
 
Michael Cameron Ward – Lee NH
Moved from Brooklyn in summer of 1957 to escape gang violence.  First colored family in the area.  Michael’s father, Harold, at age 94 asked Michael to write down the stories, so he’s doing that.  He’s complete 2 of 4 projected volumes:  “A Colored Man in Exeter,” and “The Colored Folks Ain’t Gonna Make It.”  The books reflect Michael’s family’s life principles.
 
 
 
 
 
Joel Christian Bill, New Boston NH
Writes graphic novels that tells positive narratives about the experiences and accomplishments of people of color, such as about the enslaved African Robert Small, who stole a Confederate ship for the Union, served in Congress, and wrote one of the first laws for free education in the US.  Bill wrote “Strange Fruit”, and “Fights;” the latter was named as a NYTimes Best Graphic Novel of 2020.  Click here for the link to his one of his TED Talks.
 
 
 
Harriet Wilson, Milford
White mother and black father, she wrote “Our Nig” (1859), believed to be the first novel by an African-American woman to be published in the US. 
 
Harriet Wilson
 
 
Dinah Chase Whipple, Portsmouth
Ran the Ladies Charitable African Society School for African children.  Was emancipated by her owner in New Castle at age 21.  Husband died in 1797, leaving her and several young children in what is today known as the Moffat-Ladd House.
 
 
 
BlackHeritageTrailNH.org is a website with lots of information about their efforts to bring and keep alive the history of people of color in NH.  Maybe we should plan a Rotary trip to take one of the audio tours?  Staff may speak to us in a couple of months.