Baptism record at Manchester Cathedral offers insight into Black Mancunian life in Georgian-era England
Summary
A baptism record from 1798 found at Manchester Cathedral shows a 14-year-old enslaved African girl named Indiana Mundi was baptized in the city. This record sheds light on the life of Black people in Georgian-era England and is part of efforts to recognize their history with a new memorial at the cathedral.Key Facts
- Indiana Mundi was a 14-year-old enslaved girl from Congo baptized at Manchester Cathedral on 26 December 1798.
- She was owned by Archibald Paton, a Liverpool doctor who lived in Manchester.
- Black servants like Indiana were seen as a status symbol in wealthy British households at the time.
- Baptism was politically important because it was believed it could grant enslaved people legal rights and freedom.
- Enslaved Africans were brought to British colonies such as St Kitts, known for sugar plantations.
- The record was rediscovered by a cathedral researcher while reviewing 18th-century documents.
- The cathedral plans to create a memorial for Indiana and others enslaved in Manchester, funded by the Heritage Lottery.
- The story connects to wider history, including the 1771 legal case Somerset v Stewart, which challenged slavery practices in Britain.
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