WARRINGTON’S links with the slave trade, including trades in the town which benefited from the profits made on Trans-Atlantic slavery, have been revealed in a new film.
“Behind the Golden Gates” was researched, written, presented and filmed by pupils from six Warrington high schools.
It was premiered at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool
yesterday (Friday).
Last year the Warrington Humanities Network obtained a £17,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to research the town’s links with slavery and fund the film project.
The high schools involved in the project were Birchwood, Bridgewater, Culcheth, Lymm, Lysander and St Gregory’s.
Warrington Museum and the International Slavery Museum were also involved.
Pupils taking part in the project learned how to conduct historical research, how to deal with sensitive historical topics, how to plot, storyboard, script and present a film, as well as how to operate camera and sound equipment and to conduct studio editing.
The film touches upon the range of trades within the town which benefitted from the profits of the slave trade, Warringtonians who directly invested in slave trading voyages, the wide range of buildings and infrastructure projects in Warrington paid for by those profiting from the trade, Warrington Academy’s role in the abolitionist movement and how some people in Warrington continued to resist slavery up to the time of the American Civil War.
A DVD of ‘Behind the Golden Gates’ will be available free of charge to schools and community groups. Warrington Museum is in talks to hold an exhibition about the project and its findings, while the International Slavery Museum intend to distribute it as part of their teacher training resources and show it globally via their website.
1 Comment
Dear Sir
I am researching the recipient of a silver mounted coquilla nut Black slave art snuff box given to Henry Brougham Heath in 1838 a resident of Warrington.
The Heath Family appear to be Dissenters.
I believe it is possible that his grandfather John Heath was a a supporter of the Warrington Academy and an Abolitionist.
John Heath
Born about 1741 [location unknown]
Son of William Heath and [mother unknown]
Brother of Thomas Heath
Husband of Frances (Caldwell) Heath — married 5 Aug 1779 in Great Budworth, Cheshire, England
DESCENDANTS
Father of Sarah Heath, Joseph Heath, Thomas Heath, John Heath, Mary Heath, Peter Heath and William Heath
Died 5 May 1823 in Thelwall, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom
The interesting thing here is the Caldwell connection which is where the money came from
Joseph Heath
Born about 1782 in Warrington, Lancashire, England
ANCESTORS
Son of John Heath and Frances (Caldwell) Heath
Brother of Sarah Heath, Thomas Heath, John Heath, Mary Heath, Peter Heath and William Heath
Husband of Martha (Faulkner) Heath — married 1 May 1808 (to 27 Sep 1830) in St Elphin’s Church, Warrington, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom
Father of Catharine Heath, Frances Heath, Harriet Heath, William Heath, Charlotte (Heath) Daniels, Sarah Kendrick Heath, Joseph Heath, Caroline Amelia Elizabeth Heath, Henry Brougham Heath, Thomas Woodroffe Heath, Josiah Heath, George Heath and Martha Agnes Heath
Died before 27 Sep 1830 in Warrington, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom.
Henry Brougham Heath
Born about 1822/1823 in Warrington, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
ANCESTORS
Son of Joseph Heath and Martha (Faulkner) Heath
Brother of Catharine Heath, Frances Heath, Harriet Heath, William Heath, Charlotte (Heath) Daniels, Sarah Kendrick Heath, Joseph Heath, Caroline Amelia Elizabeth Heath, Thomas Woodroffe Heath, Josiah Heath, George Heath and Martha Agnes Heath
Husband of Frances Jane (Waddington) Heath — married 1 May 1847 in St Elphin’s Church, Warrington, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom .
I have found a death for Henry on the Lancashire Online Parish Clerks website, it doesn’t allow for links to individual entries, but tells us that Henry died in Latchford and was buried at St Elphin’s on June 16th 1855 aged 32. His age is consistent on available records so it does seem as though he was presented with the nut box whilst still a youngster.
The Lancashire OPC also tells us that Henry and Frances had a son they called William Henry who was christened on 10th May 1850 but sadly, his burial was recorded on 27th August in the same year. It seems likely he was their only child.
Henry Brougham stood in the slave market city of Liverpool in 1812 and ws soundly defeated.
His speeches in Parliament as the with Wilberforce were the public face of the Abolitionist movement in the political world.
His grandson was named in his honour and received the slavery box suitably inscribed presumably from or through his grandfather.
Can you help me out with a biography of John Heath particularly his associations with the Abolitionist movement.
Best wishes
John Hawkins