Slave Burying Ground
Dublin Core
Title
Slave Burying Ground
Subject
Photographs, Sylvester, Brinley, 1694-1752, United States--History--Colonial period, 17th century, Shelter Island (N.Y.)--History, Sylvester Manor (Shelter Island, N.Y.), Plantation life--New York--Shelter Island
Description
Hannah
Hannah was an enslaved woman who was brought to Sylvester Manor by Grizzell Brinley. Along with Hannah came her husband, Jacquero, and her daughter, Hope. Hannah gave birth to another daughter, Isabell, while living at Sylvester Manor. There is no documentation confirming Hannah's origin; it is believed that Hannah and her family were brought to Grizzell from Barbados, and Hannah's English name may indicate that she was creole born in Barbados.
The historical record holds little information about the enslaved people of Sylvester Manor, but their memory lives on in the land and legacy of the Sylvester Family. Hannah's service to 16-year old Grizzell may have played a key role in the formation of the Sylvester family: Grizzell gave birth to twelve children at the isolated Sylvester Manor, and eleven of them survived to adulthood - a rarity for the time without the support of a midwife and wet nurse, or at least someone who would aid in child rearing and household support. As a woman with a family of her own, Hannah would have been knowledgeable in this area.
Hannah and her family are considered the first African family of Shelter Island, and are honored today as Founders of the African community on Shelter Island. Hannah may be one of the earliest individuals to be buried in an unmarked grave in Sylvester Manor's Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground. This image invites audiences to view Place as historical evidence in the absence of Documentation, and to consider the mark of enslaved individuals upon the land.
Hannah was an enslaved woman who was brought to Sylvester Manor by Grizzell Brinley. Along with Hannah came her husband, Jacquero, and her daughter, Hope. Hannah gave birth to another daughter, Isabell, while living at Sylvester Manor. There is no documentation confirming Hannah's origin; it is believed that Hannah and her family were brought to Grizzell from Barbados, and Hannah's English name may indicate that she was creole born in Barbados.
The historical record holds little information about the enslaved people of Sylvester Manor, but their memory lives on in the land and legacy of the Sylvester Family. Hannah's service to 16-year old Grizzell may have played a key role in the formation of the Sylvester family: Grizzell gave birth to twelve children at the isolated Sylvester Manor, and eleven of them survived to adulthood - a rarity for the time without the support of a midwife and wet nurse, or at least someone who would aid in child rearing and household support. As a woman with a family of her own, Hannah would have been knowledgeable in this area.
Hannah and her family are considered the first African family of Shelter Island, and are honored today as Founders of the African community on Shelter Island. Hannah may be one of the earliest individuals to be buried in an unmarked grave in Sylvester Manor's Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground. This image invites audiences to view Place as historical evidence in the absence of Documentation, and to consider the mark of enslaved individuals upon the land.
Creator
Unknown
Source
Sylvester Manor Archive
Publisher
NYU Fales Library & Special Collections
Date
Undated
Rights
Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Files
Citation
Unknown, “Slave Burying Ground,” Sylvester Manor, accessed September 17, 2026, https://aphnyu.org/creatingdigitalhistory/2024/sylvestermanor/items/show/3.