Menu Close

The Black Residents of Lexington

The town of Lexington, known as Cambridge Farms until 1713, was also home to enslaved Africans and their descendants. Some of these Black residents were enslaved for their entire lives, some were manumitted by their enslavers, some self-emancipated, and some had their freedom purchased by others. Many of the stories of the Black residents of Lexington and their legacies have yet to be rediscovered. Below are a selected few that are known.

Select the buttons below to read more about the individuals.

Quawk and Kate Barbados

Kate and her husband Quawk joined the Lexington church as a married couple on July 19, 1754, and appear to have been enslaved at the time. By July 11, 1756, when their third child, Abel, was baptized, Quawk and Kate had acquired their freedom and taken the surname Barbados. They likely took the name of their place of birth, which was a common practice.

Learn More about
Quawk and Kate Barbados
Renee with the Riding Through History Horse she painted.

The Burdoo Family

Philip Burdoo’s grandson, Silas, was a soldier during the Revolutionary War. Silas Burdoo fought on April 19, 1775, and received a veteran’s pension while living in Reading, Vermont.

Learn More About
The Burdoo Family

Prince Estabrook

On April 19, 1775, Prince was 35 years old and was a member of the Lexington militia.  He mustered with that militia under the command of Colonel John Parker during the early morning hours of April 19th. Prince Estabrook was struck by a musket ball in his left shoulder, making him the first Black soldier injured during the American Revolution.

Learn more about
Prince Estabrook

Dinah Bowman Lew and Barzillai Lew

Following in his father’s footsteps, Barzillai Lew was a fifer in Captain Thomas Farrington’s Company from Groton.  After serving in the French and Indian War, he purchased the freedom of Dinah Bowman and married her in 1768. Dinah was a pianist who had been enslaved in Lexington.

Learn more about
Dinah Bowman Lew and Barzillai Lew
Renee with the Riding Through History Horse she painted.

Cate and Prince Chester

Both Cate and Prince Chester had been emancipated before their marriage in 1772.  Reverend Jonas Clarke, the town’s minister, who had married them, hired them to make linen.  Linen, like wool, was the fabric of independence. Many colonial families were growing flax for linen, which was grown as an annual crop during the short New England growing season.

Learn more about
Cate and Prince Chester
Emily Bhargava headshot.

Jack

Jack was likely responsible for many of the Reverend John Hancock’s domestic chores: farming, tending animals, preparing food, chopping wood, and carrying goods between Hancock households. 

Learn more about
Jack

Dinah

It is unknown when Dinah became enslaved in the household of Reverend John and Elizabeth Hancock. The first mention of her in family records states that a dress was purchased for her to wear at Reverend John Hancock’s funeral in 1752. Reverend Clarke baptized Dinah in 1759. Elizabeth, who died in 1760, freed Dinah in her will.

Learn more about
Dinah

Adam Tidd

Adam was between 3 and 6 years old when he was purchased by Daniel Tidd in 1752. By March 1776, Private Adam Tidd had enlisted and served in the Continental Army until he was discharged in December 1778. 

Learn more about
Adam Tidd

About the Author

Sean Osborne

Sean Osborne is a public historian who enjoys sharing his research through stories and exhibitions. He is the co-founder and Past President of the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL) and was recognized as a 2021 Black Excellence on the Hill honoree by the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus. As an ABCL Historian, he continues to research and create programs for the organization’s Black History Project of Lexington.