A new book just out reveals what many Stoneham residents will be surprised to know—that there were once slaves in Stoneham.
The book is titled In Graves Unmarked: Slavery and Abolition in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and in it local author Ben Jacques tells the stories of the town’s slaves, owned by as many as eight Stoneham families in colonial times.
They were Amos, Cato, Chloe, Dinah, Mingo, Moll, Peter, Pomfrey and Titus, to name a few. Only one is listed with a last name, Daniel Kingstone.
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In 1738 a prominent Stoneham landowner wrote in his diary, “July 1, Bought our Negro.” A century later, a descendent of the same family held the first abolitionist meeting in Stoneham, attended by William Lloyd Garrison.
“These stories pay tribute to all those who suffered slavery in Stoneham, and to those who fought to end it,” Jacques says. The 48-page, illustrated book is on sale at the Book Oasis on Main Street in Stoneham, and from the author at hbjacques@gmail.com.
