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TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF SLAVERY IN MARYLAND (Final Report) 1999/12/31 MdHR 991422 MdHR 991422, Image No: 66 Print image (35K) |
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TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF SLAVERY IN MARYLAND (Final Report) 1999/12/31 MdHR 991422 MdHR 991422, Image No: 66 Print image (35K) |
| 57 [Testimony of Dr. Nancy Davis, the Maryland Historical Society] The Maryland Historical Society (MHS) has few objects that tell the story of slavery. Those few however, convey powerful messages. As both a Library and a Museum, the MHS is often able to connect the written word with visual images to provide a more complete view of the period. The following examples identify this relationship between the collections on this topic. 1. The MHS Library contains the Baltimore County chattel records of 1773-84 which record George Johnson's request in 1782 to manumit his son, Joshua, when he reached his majority. The MHS museum owns four paintings by this son - Joshua Johnson - the first professional African American painter. This accomplishment would have been unachievable without his freedom. 2. A 1809 Westminster, Maryland runaway slave advertisement notes "for Peter about 30 years of age . . . speaks German nearly as well as English - can do a little at blacksmithing, shoemaking, and carpenter's work, and has some knowledge of making gun barrels." |