History & Soup: the 1779 Petitioners
Date and Time
Wednesday Sep 3, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
Location
The Warner House, 150 Daniel St., Portsmouth, NH enter via Chapel Street
Fees/Admission
$10 for non-members, free for members, join for as little as $25 and attend all monthly lectures for free!
Contact Information
The Warner House
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Description
In 1779, 20 enslaved Black men wrote and signed their names to a Petition of Freedom, which they submitted to the NH Legislature, asking for their freedom. It was immediately tabled and the following year published in in the local paper for "the amusement of its readers."
Who were these 20 brave men, including two who were enslaved by Jonathan Warner - Peter and Cato - who put their lives on the line by signing their names to this incredible document? Dr. Barbara Ward, who is the Senior Grant Writer/Special Projects at the Black Heritage Trail of NH, has spent decades studying these men and sharing their stories with adults and students, helping them to better understand the significance of this document and the act these men made to secure their freedom.
Tickets: $10 for non-members, free for members. Sign up for a membership and come to all talks for free! Doors open & soup served at 5:00pm in the Carriage House (accessible via Chapel St.) Reservations recommended as we have limited seating.
