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
Thurston, Saunders
In Memory
of
Saunders Thurston
Died May 1, 1756
aged 50
Thurston, Violet
In Memory
of
VIOLET
Wife of
Cato Thurston
Died Feb 8, 1787
*Violet is a common name among Colonial African women
in Newport. See African Names page*
*Cato Thurston was a member of the Free African Union Society"
Tikey, Solomon Nuba
In Memory of
Solomon Nuba Tikey
Son of Arthur Tikey & Flora his Wife, who died Aug the 6, 1785
5 Years & 2 Months
*One
of the most descriptive and artistic markers. This child's epitaph details not only the family's love, but also the
preservation of an African name for this free family of Newport. Father Arthur Tikey was a free man in Newport born in
1739. He was a rope maker by trade and he was also a member of the African Union Society in 18th century Newport.*
Tillinghast, Ceasar
In Memory
of
Ceasar
son of
Sharper Tillinghast and
Violet Sisson
died 14th of October 1763
age 16 months and 20
days
Tillinghast, Juber
In Memory of
JUBER
TILLINGHAST
who died May 16, 1773
Age About 50 Years
*Slave birth records are inconsistent, particularly
those born in Africa. Many slave ages at the time of death include the word "About." His owner was Governor John
Tillinghast.*
Townsend, Pompy
In Memory
of
Pompy
Servant of M. Solomon Townsend
who died May the 17th 1768 in the (30th or 80th) year of his life.
Tweedy, Dinah
June 12, 1762
Died Dinah aged
28 years
servant to John Tweedy &
Wife of Hammond servant to
JamesTanner
Updike, Prince
In Memory of
Prince
Updike
Who Died Jan 1781
Age 70
*In 1768 Prince Updike a slave in the Aaron Lopez Household is listed as a
Master Chocolate Grinder grinding 2500 pounds of Cocoa into 2000 pounds of chocolate for European & African Trade.*
Wainwood, Prince
In the Memory
of
Prince
Servant of Godfrey Wainwood who Died Dec 9, 1772 Age About 40 Years
Wanton, Mark
In Memory of
Mark
Servant
to
Mr. William Wanton
died April 6 1769
aged 50 years
Warner, Present
Recovered
inscription:
Present
trusty servant of
Oliver Warner
died feb ye 28th 1772
in the ? year of life
*The
stone of Present Warner was identified in the 1903 survey of the burying ground; however, on inspecting the area today, it
was found submerged below the grass and the broken piece with the angel and letters "Pr"
Weeden, Children
In Memory of
five
children of
Humphrey and Jane
Weeden
Godfrey died Feb 25, 1811 age ??
Lucey died ??, age ??
Thurston died ??
age ??
Cynthia died Aug 12, 18??, age 23 Years
Last child missing from broken stone
Weeden, James
In Memory of
James Humphrey
Weeden
who died
April 22, 1852
Age 83 years
*member of Free African Union Society*
Weeden, Jane
My Mother
Here repose the
remains of
Jane Weeden
She died 11th of June 1851
Aged 77 years 7 months
Weeden, Mary
Mary Weeden
widow of
Asa E.
Babcock
died Feb 25 1876
age 77 years
