Recently, Cate Atkinson, community historian with Historic Chevy Chase DC, explained that the house in which I grew up between the years 1965-1979, at 5807 Chevy Chase Parkway, NW, Washington DC, may well have been located on the site of an old burial ground, in which the remains of enslaved peop8le associated with the BeltContinue reading “In Search of the Belt Plantation Slave Burial Ground, Chevy Chase DC”
Author Archives: museummark
In Search of Enslaved Persons from Chevy Chase DC
I have recently been deeply moved, and rather startled, to realize that the street on which I grew up, Chevy Chase Parkway in Northwest Washington DC, was located on the grounds of a former a slavery-based plantation, evidently in operation from the 1720s, until perhaps as late as April 1862. I have been eager toContinue reading “In Search of Enslaved Persons from Chevy Chase DC”
The Brooks Family and the 1928 Land Dispossession in Chevy Chase, Northwest Washington DC
This past Saturday, March 25, 2023, following the DC History Conference, I was given a fascinating tour of the neighborhood in which I grew up by Carl Lankowski, President of the community organization Historic Chevy Chase DC. We concentrated on three remarkable signs unveiled in June 2021 by the organization, on the grounds of whatContinue reading “The Brooks Family and the 1928 Land Dispossession in Chevy Chase, Northwest Washington DC”
In Search of Moloto Oshodi, from Mount Holyoke to Yorubaland
As my students and I have been studying early African American and African figures in the history of South Hadley and Mount Holyoke, we were fascinated to learn from Ms. Deborah Richards (Head of Archives and Special Collections) that a historical researcher ( Adenike Ogunkoya ) had brought to the attention of the Archives herContinue reading “In Search of Moloto Oshodi, from Mount Holyoke to Yorubaland”
In Search of Caesar Cambridge, a former enslaved man in South Hadley, Massachusetts
In his 1905 book, History of Hadley, Sylvester Judd writes, “On March 6, 1778, David Mitchell of [South Hadley] gave to his negro man, Caesar Cambridge, his freedom, in consideration of 85 pounds paid in cash, and of an order for his wages in a cruise to the brig Defence, supposed to be 40 pounds.Continue reading “In Search of Caesar Cambridge, a former enslaved man in South Hadley, Massachusetts”
Tracing an Anishinaabe Buffalo Robe in the Skinner Museum Collection
A striking indigenous Anishinaabe robe made of buffalo hide (Accession # MH SK K.116) in the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum at Mount Holyoke College has an intriguing caption: “Buffalo Robe. Presented by Mrs. Henry H. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett received the robe from an uncle, who in turn received it from an Indian in about 1877.Continue reading “Tracing an Anishinaabe Buffalo Robe in the Skinner Museum Collection”
George Benedict Zukerman (1927-2023)
George Benedict (“Dick” or “Dickie”) Zukerman, was born February 22, 1927, in London, England. He died February 1, 2023, in British Columbia, three weeks shy of his 96th birthday. He and his longtime partner, violinist Erika Bennedik made their home in White Rock, South Surrey, British Columbia. Erika was with George at the very end,Continue reading “George Benedict Zukerman (1927-2023)”
Seeking the Enslaved Background of the Hopkins Family of Posey County, Indiana
In our continuing efforts to trace the family histories of the victims of the October 1878 racial terror lynching in Mount Vernon, Posey County, Indiana, what can be determined about the antebellum background of the family of Jeff Hopkins (who was one of the four men hanged in front of the County Courthouse on OctoberContinue reading “Seeking the Enslaved Background of the Hopkins Family of Posey County, Indiana”
Enslavement and the Antebellum History of the Good Family of Jennings County, Indiana
As we continue to try to reconstruct the family histories of the seven men brutally lynched in October 1878 by white vigilantes in Mount Vernon, Posey Couny, Indiana, I have been curious about the family background of James (Jim) Good. As previously noted in my overall discussion of the descendant lines, James Good in PoseyContinue reading “Enslavement and the Antebellum History of the Good Family of Jennings County, Indiana”
Descendants of Gerschon Ausländer and Hennie Salzman: Timeline
c. 1820 birth of Gerschon Ausländer, Sadagora, Chernivisti, Austrio Hungarian Empire c. 1825 birth of Hennie Salzman, Bukovina c. 1840 ? Gerschon Auslander marries Hennie Salzman c 1847. Birth of Moses Aron Ausländer, son of Gerschon and Hennie Ausländer. in Sadagora, Chernivtsi, Bukovina. Austrio Hungary c. 1865? Moses Aron Ausländer marries Esther Resch. c.1867 BirthContinue reading “Descendants of Gerschon Ausländer and Hennie Salzman: Timeline”
Mark Auslander 