Eleven Names Project
@elevennames.bsky.social
Snapshots of enslaved life in Massachusetts by Wayne Tucker. https://elevennames.substack.com/
Pinned
The woman known as Phoebe Abdee, Phebe Savil Oliphant, was born enslaved in Col. John Quincy's household. She helped raise Quincy's granddaughter, Abigail Adams, and maintained a life-long connection to Abigail and her family. elevennames.substack.com/p/abigail-ad...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
@elevennames.bsky.social , someone is handling their enslaving clergy with visible leadership.
New sculpture on the Freedom Trail by Harmonia Rosales commemorates 219 known people who, we now know, were enslaved by members and ministers of King's Chapel (founded 1686). Dedicated today on the corner of Tremont & School Streets. @universalhub.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
@elevennames.bsky.social , someone is handling their enslaving clergy with visible leadership.
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
I debated writing this. It can feel tempting, upon encountering yet another instance of this administration’s racism, to let it be. How many ways can you say the same thing over and over again? And yet we have to write it down, if for nothing else, so those who come after us know we were against it.
Actually, Slavery Was Very Bad
The president’s latest criticism of museums is a thinly veiled attempt to erase Black history.
www.theatlantic.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I debated writing this. It can feel tempting, upon encountering yet another instance of this administration’s racism, to let it be. How many ways can you say the same thing over and over again? And yet we have to write it down, if for nothing else, so those who come after us know we were against it.
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
"How bad slavery was" is worse. Much worse. Much worse than you think, much worse than you're taught, much worse than museums depict. Worse.
August 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"How bad slavery was" is worse. Much worse. Much worse than you think, much worse than you're taught, much worse than museums depict. Worse.
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
I wanted to include this excerpt in my Phebe post, but I shortened it. Here, Mary Smith Cranch wrote to her sister Abigail Adams in Philadelphia in 1798 describing cruel treatment of a Black woman and her child, and Phebe's remarkable reaction. You should read it! www.masshist.org/publications...
March 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I wanted to include this excerpt in my Phebe post, but I shortened it. Here, Mary Smith Cranch wrote to her sister Abigail Adams in Philadelphia in 1798 describing cruel treatment of a Black woman and her child, and Phebe's remarkable reaction. You should read it! www.masshist.org/publications...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
🗃️
The woman known as Phoebe Abdee, Phebe Savil Oliphant, was born enslaved in Col. John Quincy's household. She helped raise Quincy's granddaughter, Abigail Adams, and maintained a life-long connection to Abigail and her family. elevennames.substack.com/p/abigail-ad...
March 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
🗃️
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
Phoebe lived the last 20 years of her life in Quincy, MA—a town named for the man who enslaved her parents, herself, and her five siblings.
The name "Phoebe Abdee" never appears in the archives. The Adams Papers editors likely constructed this name in the 1960s.
The name "Phoebe Abdee" never appears in the archives. The Adams Papers editors likely constructed this name in the 1960s.
March 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Phoebe lived the last 20 years of her life in Quincy, MA—a town named for the man who enslaved her parents, herself, and her five siblings.
The name "Phoebe Abdee" never appears in the archives. The Adams Papers editors likely constructed this name in the 1960s.
The name "Phoebe Abdee" never appears in the archives. The Adams Papers editors likely constructed this name in the 1960s.
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
The woman known as Phoebe Abdee, Phebe Savil Oliphant, was born enslaved in Col. John Quincy's household. She helped raise Quincy's granddaughter, Abigail Adams, and maintained a life-long connection to Abigail and her family. elevennames.substack.com/p/abigail-ad...
March 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The woman known as Phoebe Abdee, Phebe Savil Oliphant, was born enslaved in Col. John Quincy's household. She helped raise Quincy's granddaughter, Abigail Adams, and maintained a life-long connection to Abigail and her family. elevennames.substack.com/p/abigail-ad...
I wanted to include this excerpt in my Phebe post, but I shortened it. Here, Mary Smith Cranch wrote to her sister Abigail Adams in Philadelphia in 1798 describing cruel treatment of a Black woman and her child, and Phebe's remarkable reaction. You should read it! www.masshist.org/publications...
March 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I wanted to include this excerpt in my Phebe post, but I shortened it. Here, Mary Smith Cranch wrote to her sister Abigail Adams in Philadelphia in 1798 describing cruel treatment of a Black woman and her child, and Phebe's remarkable reaction. You should read it! www.masshist.org/publications...
The woman known as Phoebe Abdee, Phebe Savil Oliphant, was born enslaved in Col. John Quincy's household. She helped raise Quincy's granddaughter, Abigail Adams, and maintained a life-long connection to Abigail and her family. elevennames.substack.com/p/abigail-ad...
March 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The woman known as Phoebe Abdee, Phebe Savil Oliphant, was born enslaved in Col. John Quincy's household. She helped raise Quincy's granddaughter, Abigail Adams, and maintained a life-long connection to Abigail and her family. elevennames.substack.com/p/abigail-ad...
Dropping tomorrow. Also, the name "Phoebe Abdee" was likely constructed in the 1960s. I reveal two surnames *Phebe went by, and I can name her parents and original enslaver. Hint: a local municipality is named after her original enslaver.
March 6, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Dropping tomorrow. Also, the name "Phoebe Abdee" was likely constructed in the 1960s. I reveal two surnames *Phebe went by, and I can name her parents and original enslaver. Hint: a local municipality is named after her original enslaver.
Who wants to know more about Phoebe Abdee, the enslaved woman who helped raise Abigail Adams? I’m polishing up a new piece. But for now: www.historynet.com/abigail-adam...
Abigail Adams on 'The Only Surviving Parent I Have'
Abigail Adams and former slave Phoebe Abdee forged an unusual bond.
www.historynet.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Who wants to know more about Phoebe Abdee, the enslaved woman who helped raise Abigail Adams? I’m polishing up a new piece. But for now: www.historynet.com/abigail-adam...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
26. 1783 discharge for Primus Slocum of Rehoboth/Seekonk, Massachusetts, who served as a fifer in the 1st Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War.
Learn more about Primus Slocum (and many other enslaved people in southeastern Mass) from Wayne Tucker:
@elevennames.bsky.social
eleven-names.com
Learn more about Primus Slocum (and many other enslaved people in southeastern Mass) from Wayne Tucker:
@elevennames.bsky.social
eleven-names.com
February 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
26. 1783 discharge for Primus Slocum of Rehoboth/Seekonk, Massachusetts, who served as a fifer in the 1st Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War.
Learn more about Primus Slocum (and many other enslaved people in southeastern Mass) from Wayne Tucker:
@elevennames.bsky.social
eleven-names.com
Learn more about Primus Slocum (and many other enslaved people in southeastern Mass) from Wayne Tucker:
@elevennames.bsky.social
eleven-names.com
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
Reposting this thread because it is good in so many ways.
Side note:
@elevennames.bsky.social did a piece on Betty Cooper awhile back
elevennames.substack.com/p/january-3-...
Side note:
@elevennames.bsky.social did a piece on Betty Cooper awhile back
elevennames.substack.com/p/january-3-...
February 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposting this thread because it is good in so many ways.
Side note:
@elevennames.bsky.social did a piece on Betty Cooper awhile back
elevennames.substack.com/p/january-3-...
Side note:
@elevennames.bsky.social did a piece on Betty Cooper awhile back
elevennames.substack.com/p/january-3-...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
On Feb 23 Thomas was arrested for encouraging enslaved people in Natick to free themselves next time the militia was called out.
He was jailed in Concord until May, when a court ruled there was no evidence & freed him.
Boston 1775 has much more on the case! tinyurl.com/y4f8ey27
#RevWarDaily 3/7
He was jailed in Concord until May, when a court ruled there was no evidence & freed him.
Boston 1775 has much more on the case! tinyurl.com/y4f8ey27
#RevWarDaily 3/7
February 13, 2025 at 10:22 PM
On Feb 23 Thomas was arrested for encouraging enslaved people in Natick to free themselves next time the militia was called out.
He was jailed in Concord until May, when a court ruled there was no evidence & freed him.
Boston 1775 has much more on the case! tinyurl.com/y4f8ey27
#RevWarDaily 3/7
He was jailed in Concord until May, when a court ruled there was no evidence & freed him.
Boston 1775 has much more on the case! tinyurl.com/y4f8ey27
#RevWarDaily 3/7
“We are not asking for favors. We are seeking justice for the people whose suffering built Harvard into what it is today,” Browne told the radio station. “Our ancestors worked for centuries without pay, and their labor fueled Harvard’s early development.” www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Antiguan Ambassador Condemns Slavery Remembrance Program Layoffs, Demands Reparations in Letter to Garber | News | The Harvard Crimson
Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United States, Ronald M. Sanders, condemned Harvard’s decision to lay off the staff of the Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program, urging the University to step up...
www.thecrimson.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
“We are not asking for favors. We are seeking justice for the people whose suffering built Harvard into what it is today,” Browne told the radio station. “Our ancestors worked for centuries without pay, and their labor fueled Harvard’s early development.” www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
New Episode of #BFWorld #Podcast!
Did you know that many of the food traditions that define cuisine in the United States have roots in African American culinary history?
Join Food Historian Diane M. Spivey for an exploration of the rich and complex legacy of African & African American foodways.
Did you know that many of the food traditions that define cuisine in the United States have roots in African American culinary history?
Join Food Historian Diane M. Spivey for an exploration of the rich and complex legacy of African & African American foodways.
Episode 404: Diane M. Spivey, How Black Chefs Shaped Early America
Discover how African American cooking influenced colonial success and the American Revolution. Culinary historian Diane M. Spivey reveals the untold story of Black culinary activism.
benfranklinsworld.com
February 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
“The hard part of identifying Harvard slaves and their direct descendants isn’t the finding. It’s the looking. There are a million reasons not to look.” www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard Didn’t Just Kill Its Slavery Research Team. It Flunked History of Slavery 101. | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
Many people are shocked and saddened at how badly Harvard has stumbled in its efforts to reveal and repair the legacy of slavery at Harvard. These stumbles may in fact be the most eloquent expression...
www.thecrimson.com
February 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
“The hard part of identifying Harvard slaves and their direct descendants isn’t the finding. It’s the looking. There are a million reasons not to look.” www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
Finishing work on a great episode with Leslie Harris about the history of slavery in New York City and the many important contributions Africans and African Americans made to early New York. It will be out later this month.
February 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Finishing work on a great episode with Leslie Harris about the history of slavery in New York City and the many important contributions Africans and African Americans made to early New York. It will be out later this month.
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
Holy cow
Charles Syphax (& grandson William) husband of Maria Syphax, daughter of George Washington Parke Custis, Martha Washington's grandson. Custis fathered children w 2 enslaved women & freed daughter Maria Syphax in 1826; daughter Lucy Branham remained enslaved. His white daughter married Robert E Lee.
February 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Holy cow
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
Anyone here study Zerviah Gould Mitchell? I may have an unpublished poem of hers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerviah...
Zerviah Gould Mitchell - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 5, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Anyone here study Zerviah Gould Mitchell? I may have an unpublished poem of hers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerviah...
Anyone here study Zerviah Gould Mitchell? I may have an unpublished poem of hers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerviah...
Zerviah Gould Mitchell - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 5, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Anyone here study Zerviah Gould Mitchell? I may have an unpublished poem of hers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerviah...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
A wonderful event tomorrow at the Robbins House in Concord with Dr. Jonathan Square:
Fashioning Identity: The Garrisons and African American Fashion in Photography
It looks like a virtual option is available. Register for free here:
robbinshouse.org/event/fashio...
Fashioning Identity: The Garrisons and African American Fashion in Photography
It looks like a virtual option is available. Register for free here:
robbinshouse.org/event/fashio...
Fashioning Identity: The Garrisons and African American Fashion in Photography - The Robbins House
Feb 5, 7:00 PM: Fashion historian Jonathan Michael Square explores the historical significance of the Garrisons’ portraits in the context of African American fashion, and how these images fit into…
robbinshouse.org
February 4, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A wonderful event tomorrow at the Robbins House in Concord with Dr. Jonathan Square:
Fashioning Identity: The Garrisons and African American Fashion in Photography
It looks like a virtual option is available. Register for free here:
robbinshouse.org/event/fashio...
Fashioning Identity: The Garrisons and African American Fashion in Photography
It looks like a virtual option is available. Register for free here:
robbinshouse.org/event/fashio...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
A lovely thing about this era of gravestones from the Lamson family shop in Charlestown, Massachusetts is the occasional mix of carving depths. This stone (John Tufts, d.1728, Malden) is mostly carved in the usual deep style, but also has a lightly incised medallion that reminds me of embroidery.
January 30, 2025 at 1:56 PM
A lovely thing about this era of gravestones from the Lamson family shop in Charlestown, Massachusetts is the occasional mix of carving depths. This stone (John Tufts, d.1728, Malden) is mostly carved in the usual deep style, but also has a lightly incised medallion that reminds me of embroidery.
“SNATCHING DEFEAT from the jaws of victory.” That’s how Harvard historian Vincent Brown describes the University’s decision last Thursday. . .to abruptly lay off the staff of the Harvard Slavery Remembrance program (HSRP) and outsource its work.
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/01/harv...
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/01/harv...
A Shakeup at Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery Initiative | Harvard Magazine
A research team’s abrupt layoff sparks wider concerns about the University project.
www.harvardmagazine.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“SNATCHING DEFEAT from the jaws of victory.” That’s how Harvard historian Vincent Brown describes the University’s decision last Thursday. . .to abruptly lay off the staff of the Harvard Slavery Remembrance program (HSRP) and outsource its work.
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/01/harv...
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/01/harv...
Reposted by Eleven Names Project
Vaccines save babies. Don't let anyone forget it.
gravestone of Mary, Isaac, and Mary Brown, who died in 1740 and 1742, Waltham, Massachusetts
(carved by Lamson family shop, Charlestown, MA)
gravestone of Mary, Isaac, and Mary Brown, who died in 1740 and 1742, Waltham, Massachusetts
(carved by Lamson family shop, Charlestown, MA)
January 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Vaccines save babies. Don't let anyone forget it.
gravestone of Mary, Isaac, and Mary Brown, who died in 1740 and 1742, Waltham, Massachusetts
(carved by Lamson family shop, Charlestown, MA)
gravestone of Mary, Isaac, and Mary Brown, who died in 1740 and 1742, Waltham, Massachusetts
(carved by Lamson family shop, Charlestown, MA)