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Home arrow Black History arrow Stories arrow Slaves at the William Pitt Tavern
Slaves at the William Pitt Tavern Print E-mail
Written by Valerie Cunningham   

Engraving of the Pitt Tavern, Portsmouth, NH / SeacoastNH.comNH BLACK HISTORY

The tavern was the center of colonial life. It was the "bus" terminal, the political hotspot, a place to eat, dine and lodge. That meant lots of jobs to be done and, in early New England, many of those jobs were given to enslaved blacks. Historian Valerie Cunningham looks inside the Earl of Halifax (William Pitt) Tavern run by the Stavers family. She discovers a formerly invisible world populated by colonial African Americans.

 

 

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The local tavern was a key building in colonial life and the tavern keepers were at the center of the action. This was especially true for the Stavers (or Stayers) family who owned their public house during the confusing days of the American Revolution. John Hancock, William Whipple, Lafayette, perhaps George Washington moved through these rooms. So too did slaves like James and Fortune, names nearly lost to history, but for the research and teaching of Valerie Cunningham. Today the restored William Pitt Tavern is open to visitors of Strawbery Banke Museum. But it is also an important stop along the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, not as the birthplace of the Masonic Lodge or the home of the Portsmouth Flying Stagecoach -- but as the home of a northern slave owner and slave trader. Here is that story. (JDR)

SLAVES AT THE WILLIAM PITT TAVERN
Portsmouth, NH
By Valerie Cunningham

Overview: Slaves and the Stavers Family 

This three-story tavern was built at Court and Atkinson Street in Portsmouth, NH as the Earl of Halifax Tavern in 1766 by English immigrant John Stavers (or Stayers) and his second wife Katherine, a Portsmouth native. They re-named the business the William Pitt Tavern during the 1770s. Their household included up to seven children and, at various times, one or two slaves.

Africans wove in and out of Stavers' life. Back in the 1750s Stavers had a violent encounter with a slave when at sea. In 1760 Stavers hosted a slave auction (in his previous tavern on State Street. In 1764, just before the Stavers moved, a sixteen-year-old slave named Fortune was part of their household. In 1777, at this new tavern, a slave named James was part of the Stavers household. Another slave, not owned by Stavers, was exhibited to public view as a curiosity.

The Incident at Sea 

Tavern-keeping was a second career for John Stavers. In 1752, when he was the Mate on board the "Princess Dowager" sailing from St. Christopher (St. Kitts, West Indies) under Captain Nathaniel Warner, Stavers beat the captain's Negro servant, for which he was subsequently taken to court. Little is known about this incident, but it establishes Stavers' subsequent relations to Africans.

An Auction at the Tavern 

Before moving their business to the present building on the corner of Court and Atkinson, the Staverses ran a tavern on State Street. In December of 1760 they advertised an upcoming sale of slaves: "To be sold...a few Negroes, lately imported in the snow Gen. Townshend...from the West Indies...at Stavers Tavern". Perhaps it was at this or a similar sale that Stavers purchased Fortune and James.

Domestic Tasks 

Fortune and James probably worked beside the Stavers family in the routines of operating the tavern. The tavern was licensed to lodge guests and serve food and alcohol. Food had to be procured, preserved, stored, retrieved, cooked, served, presented, and the dishes and kitchen cleaned. In the tap room liquor, fruits, and sugar had to be procured, stored, mixed, served, and glasses, punch bowls and tankards cleaned. Rooms had to be cleaned, and laundry washed. Firewood had to be procured, stacked, split and distributed year 'round. Fires had to be maintained, ash cleaned out, candles purchased, distributed, collected and trimmed.

Care was needed for traveller's horses and the horses of the Boston stage-coach line (which came to this tavern). Stavers also advertised stallions standing at stud. Procuring hay and straw, feeding, brushing and bedding horses, mucking out stables, and periodically hauling away manure added to the list of tasks.

In addition, the tavern was the site of occasional military enlistments, and drew crowds for auctions, concerts, masonic meetings and banquets, all of which generated special tasks of preparation, implementation, and clean-up.

Given the scale of the tavern operation and New England tradition it is likely that all the Staverses -- adults, children, and slaves -- worked together at necessary tasks, assigned by Mr. and Mrs. Stavers.

CONTINUE to read about runaway slaves, a man hit by an ax, thievery and the albuni slave


 

Calendar
Little Engine That Could
July 4 - 6, 2008
LINCOLN -- Hi everyone!! We are trying to get the word out that the Little Engine That Could will be at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH on July 4,5 & 6, 2008. People can purchase tickets right online at our website. The train is a full-sized repli...

Art in Nature
July 4 - 10, 2008
RYE, NH -- Celebrate art, nature and science during this week-long event. We will explore inspiring and creative ways of connecting to the environment through hands-on workshops, programs and activities for all ages. You can learn about organic sculptur...

Zoo Farm
July 5 - 6, 2008
CANDIA -- Enjoy all day zoo admission; unlimited pony, tractor and horse-drawn hay. rides; and a bag of grain for each child. All for just $16.00 per person! So pack your lunch and spend the day with us at the farm. We look forward to seeing you! For...

Freedom Rocks
July 5, 2008
The Freedom Rocks Festival is one that truly incorporates a gamete of musical talent. Everything from metal bands, garage, funk, alternative, retro and classic rock perform on stage. Ranging music styles and artists come together to form a festival fill...

Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival
July 6, 2008
This 13th annual celebration of joyous creativity which Tommy Gallant helped initiate, has become a staple item on our summer menu. Don't miss this venue of jazz greats organized by UNH Jazz Master Dave Seiler.

Sammie Haynes
July 6, 2008
ROCHESTER -- The Governor's Inn presents a beautiful late afternoon in the garden (or under the patio in case of rain) Great food and drinks and company

HARVEY REID
July 6, 2008
SOUTH BERWICK -- Maine songwriter and stringed-instrument virtuoso Harvey Reid will appear in concert This is Harvey's only local concert this summer. It takes place outdoors in the beautiful garden at the historic Hamilton House in South Berwick, Maine...

Theatre Camp
July 7 - 11, 2008
KIDS THEATRE CAMP, July 7-11, 9 AM to 12 NOON, Ages 6-9 Now in its eighth year, this popular week-long camp features creative drama, movement, and visual arts activities, with a final performance at 6:30 PM on Friday, July 11. Limited to 14 campers. ...

PPAF Summer Theatre Academy begins
July 7, 2008
We believe that every child has an innate sense of creativity and imagination. Our Summer Theatre Academy is geared toward developing confidence and advancing performance skills so that every child can be a star. Students will not only learn theatrical ...

NHTP Teen Camp Starts
July 7, 2008
TEEN THEATRE CAMP, July 7-19, Ages 13-17 This intensive camp will focus on a theme from classic dramatic literature. (Teen Camp 2007 featured William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night). Participants will learn acting, directing and design skills along with...

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