Black History In Surrey

In the 1830s, more than 100 slave-owners lived in Surrey and further details of his horrific practice can be read here: www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/themes/subjects/black_history/surrey/

Slavery was seen, in those days, as a business practice that would be abominable and barbaric by today's standards. It is worth noting that there was also a strong abolitionist movement and more information can be read about that here: www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/themes/subjects/black_history/abolitionists/

Surrey was also the home to freed slaves, following abolition. The detailed story of John Springfield highlights the importance of family papers when tracing black history and a detailed account is provided of him on Exploring Surrey's Past: www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/themes/subjects/black_history/john_springfield_from_zanzibar_to_guildford/