Slavery

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Many affluent Andover families owned slaves before slavery was abolished in Massachusetts in 1783. Three well known freed slaves were Cato Freeman, Pompey Lovejoy, and Salem Poor. Freeman had been owned by Deacon Samuel Phillips before he married and purchased a 16 acre farm. Pomp's Pond is named for Pomp Lovejoy, a former slave of Captain William Lovejoy. Salem Poor bought his freedom in 1769 and went on to fight in the Revolutionary War. He was much praised for his actions at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He went on to fight at Saratoga, Valley Forge, and Monmouth, as well as other battles.

Pomp, a slave of David Abbot who was born free, appealed to the Andover selectmen when Massachusetts had abolished slavery and other slaves were suing for their freedom. The selectmen gave Pomp, still a slave, to Captain Charles Furbish, who proved a harsh master. Pomp murdered his new master, thinking he would inherit Furbish's farm. Pomp was executed in 1795.

Caesar Russell, Prince Johnnot, Cato Foster, and Cato Freeman (or Freman) fought in the Revolutionary War.

There were differing views on the slavery issue in Pre Civil War Andover.

  • In 1835 50 Philips Academy students were expelled for participating in anti-slavery meetings. Many southern cotton plantation owners sent their sons to Philips Academy.
  • The Andover Theological Seminary supported the American Colonization Society which preached buying the freedom for slaves and sending them back to Africa. This resulted in the formation of the country of Liberia.



See


--Eleanor 14:40, August 28, 2007
--Leslie 10:25, September 11, 2012 (EDT)

--Eleanor (talk) 15:54, 18 December 2015 (EST)

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