One surviving aspect of African custom and culture in early America is the custom of funeral and burying rituals. In Newport, both the enslaved and free African community, largely coming from what is today Ghana, would provide elaborate funerals for their dearly departed. The funeral was as much a celebration of life as it is a bid farewell to the dead. Most importantly it signified the departure of souls in their next journey to join their ancestors.
On May 18th, 1770, 70 year old Quash Dunbar died. In his diary on May 20th of that same year, Rev. Ezra Stiles wrote:
“A Negro Burying, the Church bell tolled (all our Bells sometimes toll for Negroes), a procession of Two Hundred Men and One Hundred & Thirty Women Negroes.”
The funeral often included dancing, singing and public recognition of the relevance of the life of the departed. In an African funeral in Newport, the leaders of the community would lead a procession with the body on a wagon from the center of the town to the burying grounds. The procession would be organized by a ceremonial undertaker, a well-respected position within the African community.
Click here to learn about Mintus the “Last Colored Undertaker” of Newport and how he presided over 18th century burials in God’s Little Acre.
Burial Markers in God’s Little Acre
Rodman, Nathaniel and Elizabeth
In memory of
Nathanial Rodman
died Sept 8 1837
aged 72 years
also his wife
Elizabeth
died May 16
1848
aged 76 years
Rodman, Rachel
In memory of
Rachel
wife
of
Curbay Rodman
died Oct 7 1825
age 91 years
Rodman, Sarah
Mrs.
Sarah Rodman
wife of
Cuffe Rodman
& daughter of Zingo Stevens
died 29 Jan 1863 age 94 years 6 months
Rodman, Scipio
foot stone - Scipio Rodman
1759
headstone lost
Rodman, Scipio_found
original stone
**found**- bore inscription: In Memory of Scipio Rodman
died 2nd of March 1759
age 60 years
Rodman, Susanna
Susanna
daughter
of
Kirby (Curbay) and Rachel Rodman
died July 9 1831
age 49 years
Ryder, Fillis
Fillis Sanford
Wife of
Newport Ryder
Died January ye 12th 1743 in 26 year of her age
Ryder, Newport
In Memory of
Newport
Ryder
Died Sept 29th 1760
aged 50 years
Sanford, Charles
Charles
died 1770
Sanford, Pompey Rogers
In Memory
of
Pompey Rogers
Son of Prince Sanford
He died July 6, 1773
Age 11 Months
Scott, Hannah & Phillis
Hannah daughter
of Pompey Scott
& Violet Robinson
died 25 January ??
age ?? 12 days
Phillis their daughter
died 3 June
1750
age ?? 9 months
Scott, Mary
Mary
daughter of
Pompey Scott
&
Violet Robinson his wife
died August 29 1757
age 2 years 2 months
Scott, Pegge
Pegge
daughter of
Pompey
Scott &
Violet Robinson his wife
died April 19 1757
aged 6 years
Scott, Pompe
Pompe
son of Pompey Scott
&
Violet Robinson his wife
died July 9 1756
Age 11 months
Scott, Prince
Prince
servant of
Mr
George Scott
he died
July 10, 1768
age 35 years
