Early Arrivals
The first documented slave ship arrives in Newport from Africa via Barbados. Named the “Seaflower,” the vessel leaves a dozen enslaved Africans in Newport.
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Negro Code
Rhode Island General Assembly adopts an early “Negro Code” to restrict activities of free and servant Negros and Indians stating, “If any negroes or Indians either freemen, servants, or slaves, do walk in the…
Open historical recordGod’s Little Acre
A Negro burying section of the Common Burying Ground is established. It is later known to the African heritage community as “God’s Little Acre.”
Open historical recordMaster Chocolate Grinder
Prince Updike is listed as a Master Chocolate Grinder in Colonial Newport.
Open historical recordNewport Sites Built by Africans
Several of Newport’s most important civic structures, Old Colony House, Redwood Library, Brick Market and Touro Synagogue are built with the participation of enslaved and free African skilled labor.
Open historical recordColonial African Caterer
In December of that year, Cuffee Cockroach, an enslaved African cook of Jaheel Brenton, prepared a feast that featured a sea turtle stew for a community gathering held at Fort George, on Goat Island.…
Open historical recordColonial African Artisan
Neptune Thurston was trained as a Cooper or Barrel Maker as part of the Rev. Gardner Thurston family household.
Open historical recordAn African Picnic
A group of free and enslaved Africans take a picnic in Portsmouth led by Caesar Lyndon, personal secretary, and clerk for Governor Josias Lyndon.
Open historical recordFirst Africans to Attend College
Africans John Quamino and Bristol Yamma are sent to study at College of New Jersey (the future Princeton University) to train as Christian Missionaries. These will be the first Africans to attend college in…
Open historical recordAn African Stonecarver
A group of free African men led by Zingo Stevens meet in the Newport home of Abraham Casey and form the Free African Union Society, the first such society in America.
Open historical recordRhode Island Pastry Queen
African Charity “Duchess” Quamino dies in Newport; recognized as the “Pastry Queen of Rhode Island” and one of the most successful African women entrepreneurs of her time. Her marker is inscribed by Reverend William…
Open historical recordEarly African Home
Alexander Jack, Jr. is listed in the census that year as a free man and a shoemaker who operated a shop on Thames Street.
Open historical recordA Free African Neighborhood
Five free Africans, including Baccus Overing, own homes on the section of Pope Street in Newport, between Spring and Thames street, referred to as “Negro Lane.”
Open historical recordAfrican Heritage Composer
Former enslaved African Okyerema Mireku, aka Newport Gardner, becomes the first published African musical composer in America; songs include “Crooked Shanks” and the religious anthem “The Promise.”
Open historical recordFirst Free African School
In March, the Free African Benevolent Society of Newport establishes the first free African school (private) in America on School Street.
Open historical recordAfrican Women Leadership
The Free African Female Benevolent Society is established in Newport with Obour Tanner and Sara Lyna included as founding members.
Open historical recordBuilding Business & Community
John Mowatt was one of Newport’s earliest African heritage entrepreneurs, owning a grocery store and real estate at 83 Division Street. He is a founding member of the Free African Benevolent Society and Union…
Open historical recordAfrican Heritage Serial Entrepreneur
The summer of 1846, African heritage businessman, George T. Downing opens a restaurant on Bellevue Avenue in Newport to cater to the emerging summer resort market.
Open historical recordA Moving Empire
One of Newport’s most successful 19th century entrepreneurs, Benjamin F. Burton, arrived in Newport from Connecticut. He would establish the “Original Express” company, one of the earliest Black-owned businesses operating in various forms at…
Open historical recordUnderground Railroad
The home of Isaac Rice, a successful caterer in Newport, is used as an Underground Railroad stop.
Open historical recordNewport & Boston Connections
Thomas G. Williams arrives in Newport, the son of Domingo Williams, a leading caterer and abolitionist leader in Boston’s Beacon Hill community. Thomas would establish a series of successful catering businesses along with becoming…
Open historical recordDynamic Pastor Arrives
Rev. Mahlon Van Horne assumes the pastorate of Union Colored Congregational Church on Division Street in Newport.
Open historical recordTHE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT
The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified prohibiting the restriction of voting rights “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
Open historical recordRev. Mahlon Van Horne
Rev. Van Horne becomes the first African heritage member of the Newport School Board.
Open historical record1873 COLORED CONVENTION
A major event is hosted on Thanksgiving Evening by leading political and business leaders to promote sending a Newport delegation to the 1873 Colored Convention in Washington, DC. Participating leaders include Benjamin Burton, Thomas…
Open historical recordPeter Quire
St John’s Episcopal Church in Newport is founded at the Point Neighborhood home of African heritage person Peter Quire.
Open historical recordBellevue Avenue’s Coolest Shop
The Daisy Tonsorial Parlor is established at 148 Bellevue Avenue by African American business and civic leader, Fredrick E. Williams.
Open historical recordJosephine Silone Yates
Josephine Silone Yates was the first African heritage student to graduate from Rogers High School. She graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1877. She graduated in 1879, with honors, from the Rhode Island…
Open historical recordA Gilded Age Entrepreneur
Andrew J. Tabb arrived in Newport as part of the staff of Newport socialite, Madame C. O’Donnell. Within several years he established one of the city’s largest livery stables and coaching services at 28…
Open historical recordRace & Gender Discrimination Conquered
Dr. Harriet A. Rice was born to George and Lucinda Rice in Newport. She graduated as a top student at Newport’s Rogers High School and in 1882 went on to become the first African…
Open historical recordCIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1875 UNCONSTITUTIONAL
On October 15th, the Supreme Court declared the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional and declared that the Fourteenth Amendment forbids states, but not citizens, from discriminating on the basis of race.
Open historical recordPulpit & Ballot
Rev. Van Horne of Newport becomes the first African heritage member of the General Assembly of Rhode Island.
Open historical recordSumner Political Club
The Senator Charles Sumner Political Club is formed by George Downing, Charles Fayerweather, Dr. Mahlon Van Horne and others to advance Black political rights in Newport and Rhode Island.
Open historical recordA Renaissance Woman
Members of the (African heritage) Women’s League Newport gather, led by Mary H. Dickerson who owns a dress shop on Bellevue Avenue.
Open historical recordAfrican Heritage Power Couple
Charles Frederick Douglas Fayerweather and his wife Ella were the African heritage power couple in 19th and early 20th century Newport. Charles operated a successful blacksmith shop and lived on Pearl street, while Ella…
Open historical recordFirst African Heritage Dentist
Newport born Dr. M. Alonzo Van Horne graduates from Howard Medical School and becomes the first African heritage dentist in Newport practicing at 47 John Street and later at 22 Broadway.
Open historical recordAllen Brothers
JT Allen and his brother DB arrive in Newport and soon established the Hygeia Spa at Easton’s Beach, and a dining facility in the Perry Mansion on Touro Street.
Open historical record“He Doctors the Swells”
Dr. Marcus Wheatland becomes the first known African heritage physician to live and practice in Rhode Island. Dr. Wheatland was nationally recognized as an early radiology specialist.
Open historical recordColored Labor Union Convention
A news article from 1896 calls for the formation of a Colored Labor Union convention. Early meetings were organized at the Union Congregational Church in Newport and led by Reverend Mahlon Van Horne and…
Open historical recordPLESSY V. FERGUSON
United States Supreme Court issues Plessy v. Ferguson ruling deciding that “separate but equal” facilities satisfy Fourteenth Amendment guarantees, thus giving legal sanction to Jim Crow segregation laws.
Open historical recordVan Horne – U.S. Consul to Danish West Indies
President William McKinley appoints Rev. Van Horne of Newport to become U.S. Consul to St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies, serving through the Spanish American War.
Open historical recordGeorge T. Downing
George T. Downing is a member of the committee responsible for the Bellevue Avenue extension to Bailey’s Beach in Newport.
Open historical recordAmerica’s Cup Reception Committee
Dr. Marcus Wheatland, Oliver Burton, and Dr. Cromwell West are appointed to the reception committee for Sir Thomas Lipton and the America’s Cup Races in Newport.
Open historical recordFirst African Heritage Pharmacist
Dr. Cromwell P. West establishes a Pharmacy on Caleb Earl Street.
Open historical recordThe Possibilities of Negro Women in Business
Madame C. J. Walker, the first Black female self-made millionaire in America, comes to Newport at the invitation of the Rhode Island Colored Women’t Clubs to promote African heritage women entrepreneurs. Her presentation “The…
Open historical recordBuilding Black Capital
Armstead Hurley establishes a successful painting business along with being a founding partner in the Rhode Island Loan & Investment Company, the first black-owned bank in Rhode Island.
Open historical recordNewport NAACP
Newport Branch of NAACP is established at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Founding members include Dr. Mahlon Van Horne, Cromwell P. West, Armstead Hurley, and D. B. Alen.
Open historical recordBlack Business & Recreation
Cromwell P. West organizes, and is the first President of, the Old Hometown Tennis Club. The first tennis courts are in the backyard of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
Open historical recordEarly Activism
William H. Jackson of Newport, the State House Sergeant At Arms, presents an Anti-Lynching platform to the Republican National Convention.
Open historical recordAdvancing Political Accountability
Martin Canavan is chairman of the Newport Colored Men’s Democratic Club. The club is an outspoken critic of lack of patronage support for Negros by the Republican Party locally and nationally.
Open historical recordThe Negro Motorist Green-Book
The Negro Motorist Green-Book is launched. African heritage entrepreneurs Nellie Brown and Thomas Glover are long-time operators of guest homes for summer workers and visitors of color in early 20th-century Newport.
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