Mary Prince | Dorset Race Equality Council

#BlackHistoryMonth2020 #BlackHistoryMonth

Born to an enslaved family in Bermuda 1788. She was sold to multiple owners. In December 1826 she married a free man Daniel James, a former slave who bought his freedom. She was severely punished for her decision. Later in 1828 she travelled to England with her master and managed to escape but not to join with her husband.

Mary worked with Anti-Slavery Society and took employment with Thomas Pringle. She became an abolitionist and a secretary for the Anti-Slavery Society. She also became the first woman to present the anti-slavery petition to Parliament, and first black woman to publish an autobiography. This book was central to the work of anti-slavery campaign. It served as a wakeup call that the horrors of plantations continued for many even after the Slave Trade was made illegal in 1807.

“We followed my mother to the market-place. At length the vendue master, who was to offer us for sale like sheep or cattle, arrived, and asked my mother which was the eldest. She said nothing, but pointed to me. He took me by the hand, and led me out into the middle of the street, and, turning me slowly round, exposed me to the view of those who attended the vendue. I was soon surrounded by strange men, who examined and handled me in the same manner that a butcher would a calf or a lamb he was about to purchase. The bidding started at a few pounds, and gradually rose to 57. The people who stood by said that I had fetched a great sum for so young a slave. I then saw my sisters led forth, and sold to different owners. When the sale was over, my mother hugged and kissed us, and mourned over us, begging us to keep a good heart. It was a sad parting; one went one way, one another … “
Extract from Mary’s memoir