Footnoting History, or, the Rabbit Hole effects of podcasts on the author
I listen to a number of podcasts. Unsurprisingly, a few of them are history-based. One I quite enjoy is called Footnoting History. In September, they dropped an episode on Newport Gardner that's engaging and informative, and sent me on a journey of discovery about Occramer Marycoo.
Gardner was born Occramer Marycoo in Africa, possibly Ghana. In the 1760s, he was taken against his will to Newport, Rhode Island. He was about 14 years old.
Gardner was born Occramer Marycoo in Africa, possibly Ghana. In the 1760s, he was taken against his will to Newport, Rhode Island. He was about 14 years old.
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| Manuscript map of the city and harbor of Newport drawn by Ezra Stiles, August 9, 1758 (via Redwood Library & Athenaeum) |
In the amazingly short time of four years, Occramer (now called Newport Gardner) had learned English and French. He eventually married a woman named Limas, and together they had five children.
In 1791, Occramer and some friends won a lottery. He used his share to purchase his and his family's freedom, and they joined the free black community. He worked as a teacher, composer and dance instructor, and has been identified as the first African-American composer.
Occramer and other black families worked together to found the "Colored Union Church" (Union Free Black Church) in 1824, which had me circling back to the blog post I did back in 2013 about the building. In fact, many of the buildings Occramer knew in his lifetime are still standing.
In late 1825, Occramer was able to purchase passage back to Africa as part of a "recolonization" movement to part of Sierra Leone called "Liberia." Tragically, he died of disease within a few months of his arrival.
Small State, Big History has a much more detailed article on Occramer, and definitely give Footnoting History a listen.
Do you have a figure from Rhode Island history you'd like to learn more about? Have more info to share about Occramer? Share in the comments!
In 1791, Occramer and some friends won a lottery. He used his share to purchase his and his family's freedom, and they joined the free black community. He worked as a teacher, composer and dance instructor, and has been identified as the first African-American composer.
Occramer and other black families worked together to found the "Colored Union Church" (Union Free Black Church) in 1824, which had me circling back to the blog post I did back in 2013 about the building. In fact, many of the buildings Occramer knew in his lifetime are still standing.
In late 1825, Occramer was able to purchase passage back to Africa as part of a "recolonization" movement to part of Sierra Leone called "Liberia." Tragically, he died of disease within a few months of his arrival.
Small State, Big History has a much more detailed article on Occramer, and definitely give Footnoting History a listen.
Do you have a figure from Rhode Island history you'd like to learn more about? Have more info to share about Occramer? Share in the comments!
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