Amos FortuneThe Man and His Legacy

Born in Africa…

The Middle Passage

NewportNewport

BostonBoston

PortsmouthPortsmouth

…A Slave in America…

…He Purchased Liberty…

…professed Christianity, lived reputably...

Jaffrey, circa 1790

To Violate: Use of the house, the furniture, the estate and profits of the estate.

To Celyndia: her bed, furniture, a footwheel and loom, a room in the house as long as she remains single.

Gravestones for himself and Violate as soon as she dies.

For executor to sell off the estate after Violate's death, and to pay all debts.

If there be any leftover, that a gift be given to the "Church of Christ."

If there still be leftover, a gift to Schoolhouse #8

Amos Fortune’s CompassAmos Fortune’s Compass

…and died hopefully.

Sacredto the memory of

Amos Fortunewho was born free in

Africa a slave in America

he purchased libertyprofessed Christianity

lived reputably anddied hopefullyNov. 17, 1801

Aet. 91

Sacredto the memory of

Violateby sale the slave ofAmos Fortune by

marriage his wife byher fidelity his friendand solace she died

his widowSept. 13, 1802

Aet 73

To the School: $233.85

-Used to support all Jaffrey schools

1928 - Prizes for a public speaking contest

1977 - Conant book of creative writing

1998 - Transferred to Jaffrey Public Library

“Not enough is known for a real biography, and yet too much is available to ignore.”

1. What was completely made up?2. The various Mrs. Fortunes3. Who was Celyndia?4. What is the truth behind the Communion Service?5. Why Jaffrey?6. Was Amos Fortune really warned out of town?

ie, did Amos Fortune encounter racism in Jaffrey?7. Who was Pompey Blackman?

- There is no reason to believe Amos Fortune was born a prince in Africa

In fact, there are no records on Amos Fortune at all for the first 40 years of his life.

- Amos Fortune welcomed Rev. Laban Ainsworth to town, not the reverse.

Amos Fortune arrived in 1781, but Ainsworth was not in Jaffrey until 1782.

Who was he sold to?

Elizabeth Yates:A Boston Quaker named Caleb Copeland

Alexander Magoun:A Boston bookbinder named Deacon Fortune

Reality:The only documented owner is Ichabod Richardson

How did he get his name?Elizabeth Yates:

He was “fortunate” to have such benevolent owners

Alexander Magoun:Took last name of owner (Deacon Fortune)

Albert Annett:Sarcastic reference to his slave status

- Amos Fortune was probably married twice, not three times (as told in Amos Fortune Free Man).

- The alleged 1773/5 marriage (“Lily”) was never recorded, and may be the result of a transcriber’s error.

- His first wife, Lydia Somerset of Billerica, died three months after their marriage in 1778.

- His second wife, Violate Baldwin of Woburn, was 19 years his junior.

Who was she?

Amos Fortune – Born c. 1710Age at arrival in Jaffrey: 71

Violate Fortune – Born 1729Age at arrival in Jaffrey: 52

Celyndia Fortune – Born 1775?Age at arrival in Jaffrey: 6

Violate would have been 46 when Celyndia was born

Who was she?

How did she enter the picture?

What do we know about her life?

What ever happened to her?

- “Warning-Out” was for everyone, not on account of race

- The Church Pew Question

Why was he not allowed to buy one?

Was he and others of African ancestry sent to a segregated pew?

- “Vendue” – did Jaffrey auction off poor black citizens?

Pompey Blackman

Pompey Freeman