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Black History of Midlands - references etc

B

BWB

proper brummie kid
Hi
Came across this fascinating blog by accident whilst doing a search about the 'Crown Inn' Worcs. Have read a lot of the posts and hope to remain a member.
I'm doing a lot of research around Black people in the midlands from the 1650s + have a growing database and slowly building a picture of what is essentially tales of working class life, hardships and all. You know what its like with research - you can spend hours & hours chasing some obscure reference (and I have a lot of those as much was never documented). I have so many 'jigsaw' pieces, and am hoping some of you might be kind enough to pass on any snippets you come across - some might fit what I already have. If you have any photos, so much the better.
Thanks
BWB
 
This is a fascinating subject; and one that has become increasingly hidden since the mass, and politically contentious, immigrations of the fifties and sixties. One of my oldest friends from childhood, alas recently deceased, was of African origin, and his family had lived in and around a small, rural village since the 1600's... having been in Britain from sometime in the 1500's!
 
I remember the late 50's early 60's well, my dad was a wages clerk for some of these company's, and the lovley afro carribeans from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaca, and the Windwards, who came to work in brum, mainly the building trade, Wates, Laing, Wimpey, O'Briens etc, and the way they worked hard and bought the famileys up in a christian , clean way, always laughing even in the snow, filling a young boys head, with stories of tropical storms, balmey warm nights, red stripe beer, and white rum. red snapper, tropical fish markets and dinners outside with their churchs at easter etc and playing domino's in the pub at dinner time. lovley days.
 
There is quite a bit on Black History at Birmingham Central Library - a whole section in fact. Perhaps if you have not already been, it might be worth a visit?

Shortie
 
In 1953 when I came out of the Guards I started as a Postman in Pinfold Street, in those days you did two weeks in the school and then they decided where to fit you in, our class was a young man from Trinidad called Len Walwah, he previously worked in the booking office at Moor Street station, lovely fella, very light coloured skin.We went in together to see the Chief Inspector, he said to me "You ought to be fit after five years in the army, he said to Len,we will have to find you a
job indoors, we cant sent you out on the streets, what will the public think? How times have changed, for the better where somethings are concerned. Bernard
 
JohnO said:
This is a fascinating subject; and one that has become increasingly hidden since the mass, and politically contentious, immigrations of the fifties and sixties. One of my oldest friends from childhood, alas recently deceased, was of African origin, and his family had lived in and around a small, rural village since the 1600's... having been in Britain from sometime in the 1500's!
Click to expand...

Hi

I'd be glad of any info you want to give me. I'm in the process of putting together a black history database & have a small group undertaking research. We have hundreds of references, some going back to early 1600s; after the slvery period, many settled down as agricultural workers, coal miners - ordinary working class lives - and this is our focus. ordinary people living ordinary lives.
 
Hi
Yes I know it well. We'e helped develop some of their resources & use their facilities a lot. My group is involved in compiling a history book at present, ranging from the 1600s - pre WW1, and already have hundreds of references. As you well know, the detailed research into each one is a killer journey. That's why I thought I'd ask that people pass on any references they come across, whilst doing their own research;
 
Hi BWB, and welcome to the Birmingham History Forum! :)

You might be interested in the thread on Olaudah Equiano (aka Gustavus Vassa), who visited Birmingham to promote his Autobiography in 1790. We've also been exploring there the stories of anti-slavery campaigners with Birmingham connections.

Good luck with your research on this fascinating subject. I'll certainly keep my eyes open for items of interest.
 
Hi again BWB. My old mate originated from a sailor in one of Elizabeth's ships. There were tales of sailing with Drake; but, as we kids were all avid fans of Terrence Morgan in the TV series ''Sir Francis Drake'' during the 1960's, it might have been a bit of an embellishment to anotherwise true story; but who knows?

I'll attempt to contact his family and pass-on your interest.
 
JohnO said:
Hi again BWB. My old mate originated from a sailor in one of Elizabeth's ships. There were tales of sailing with Drake; but, as we kids were all avid fans of Terrence Morgan in the TV series ''Sir Francis Drake'' during the 1960's, it might have been a bit of an embellishment to anotherwise true story; but who knows?

I'll attempt to contact his family and pass-on your interest.
Click to expand...
Hi JohnO

That would be great. My earliest midlands recordings are from the 1560s - the Earl of Derby had black servants. Other than that, hundreds from the 1650 s - 1900s, including the elusive black housekeeper from the 'Crown Inn, Broad St, Worcester, which first brought me to this site. She who had 'caught the eye' of the probably lecherous butcher who had the shop opposite the Crown. !The things our ancestors got up to!
 
JohnO said:
Hi again BWB. My old mate originated from a sailor in one of Elizabeth's ships. There were tales of sailing with Drake; but, as we kids were all avid fans of Terrence Morgan in the TV series ''Sir Francis Drake'' during the 1960's, it might have been a bit of an embellishment to anotherwise true story; but who knows?

I'll attempt to contact his family and pass-on your interest.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, Elizabeth 1 had dfferent ideas.......
16th centuryEarly in the 16th century Africans arrived in London when Catherine of Aragon travelled to London and brought a group of her African attendants with her[citation needed]. When trade lines began to open between London and West Africa, Africans slowly began to become part of the London population. The first record of an African in London was in 1593. His name was Cornelius. London’s residents started to become fearful of the increased black population. At this time Elizabeth I declared that black "Negroes and black Moors" were to be arrested and expelled from her kingdom[19].
 
Hi Gazzo
That's correct; it was estimated there were c. 10,000 blacks in London at the time & a deal was being done (behind the scenes) with Philip of Spain to expel all blacks from her kingdom; those not leaving could justifiably be arrested & sent to the new colonies (caribbean & s america just opening up).
There were recorded blacks in the uk long before this; records from the Guildhall evidence this, although information is very sketchy before 1540. Funnily enough, it wasn't the Londoners who objected, so much as the Spanish; blacks had been a key part of London life & very evident in the entertainment field; John Blanke was a celebrated trumpeter to the court of Henry V111; black drummers were preferred for military regiments & one of the most celebrated 'madams' of the day (high class whorehouse) was a lady called 'Black Bess'.
 
GAZZO - You are quite correct, up to a point; beyond that you'll find that this ''kingdom'' business was pretty much restricted to London, and not even to all of London, but to one or two specific areas; which I've unfortunately forgotten. Many of the London blacks did indeed leave the country; and as many again, disappeared from the coast, hinterland and ports, and headed in-land.

However, I am not sure as to whether Elizabeth's declaration ever became formal writ. It may be that it was used from time to time, as a 'convenience' in the removal of certain persons. Much of what Elizabeth did was pure 'sleight of hand' in order to maintain a balance between contrary factions; differing opinions and 'interests'.

BWB - there were both political AND supposedly economic reasons for breaking-up the main black settlements in London. Local merchants did indeed appeal to the Queen for some form of 'counter' to the black populace, who were operating without the accepted commercial frame-work of guilds, taxes, duties and concessions. No pun intended, but they were indeed operating a significant black-market/black-econony in those areas.

Thinks: I wonder if it is the very origin of those expressions??? It has never occurred to me before; but it fits!
 
Black History Exhibition (1650s - 1918)
opens at The Friends' Institute
220 Moseley Road, Bham B12 0DG
Friday 2 - 6pm
Sat & Sun 12 - 4 pm
Free Event

A fascinating insight into the midlands Black history
 
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