Kaufmann, Theodor. “On to Liberty,” 1867. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts. New York, NY. Chosen to represent the flight of enslaved families following the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
About the Presentation
Thirty years ago, Linda Seagraves discovered a family Bible tracing four generations of her ancestors in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This discovery prompted a question for Seagraves: How and why did these people, formerly enslaved Virginians, leave a multi-generational footprint in the northern expanse of Canada? Her answer was found buried in a rather obscure chapter of America history; the story of Black loyalists and refugees during and in the wake of the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812. These wars would witness the rebellion and the exodus of thousands of runaways from enslavement.
What was extraordinary about this story was not only the sheer magnitude of the numbers, but also who ran. Faced with the perpetual threat of separation, Black loyalists and refugees ran in diverse, multigenerational family and kinshhip groups. Enabled by makeshift, yet advanced communication networks, escapes were premeditated, well organized, and expertly executed across multiple farms and counties.
Seagraves' research focuses on the twenty-three enslaved people, enslaved by Jefferson, who escaped to the British in 1781. Seagraves' research is underpinned by the following questions: What patterns of slave flight emerged that preserved and reunited separated slave families? How did the "grapevine telegraph" transmit intelligence across plantations enabling separated families to run together? How did news from the "big house," mobility of hired out slaves in large cities, and free Black communities aid groups in their epic run for freedom?
About Linda Seagraves
Linda Seagraves is an independent scholar. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard University and Masters Degrees in Public Affairs and Public and Private Management from Princeton and Yale University. Throughout her career, Linda has worked in a wide range of public, private and non-profit professional positions. In addition to serving more than a decade in public service working at the highest levels of national and presidential politics, Linda has broad experience in research, management, consulting, organizational development, strategic planning, finance and documentary filmmaking. She brings a lifetime of strengths, sensitivities, and experiences to the table including a creative imagination, analytical skills, leadership ability, and organization acumen. Linda has a long and distinguished history working with national and international issues that impact the African American community.