Listing of Deborah Squash in the "Book of Negroes"
Item
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Title
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Listing of Deborah Squash in the "Book of Negroes"
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Description
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Born into slavery at the Mount Vernon plantation, Deborah Squash was just one of around three hundred enslaved people owned by George and Martha Washington. With the outbreak of the American Revolution, many enslaved individuals fled from their Patriot enslavers to the British, who promised freedom to anyone who joined their forces. Deborah decided to use the historical moment to her advantage and seize her freedom. When the British warship "Savage" was sailing up the Potomac, Squash is thought to have escaped from Mount Vernon by boarding the ship, although there is some debate over whether she fled earlier in 1779. Deborah eventually made her way to New York City where she married Henry Squash, and they remained protected in the British held city. However, the American victory threatened the security of these emancipated people, as many slaveholders were attempting to recapture the enslaved people they had lost, including George Washington. Luckily, Deborah Squash and her husband were approved for evacuation, and left for Port Roseway, Nova Scotia on April 27, 1783.
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Creator
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Sir Guy Carleton, Samuel Birch
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Date
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1783
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Type
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Register
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Format
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JPG
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Subject
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African Americans, enslaved people, loyalists
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Temporal Coverage
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18th century
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Rights Holder
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The National Archives, Kew in England.
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Rights
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Public Domain
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transcription
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"Harry Squash, 22, stout middle sized.."
"Deborah his wife, 20, stout wench, thick of lips, pock marked.."
