For over two hundred years, Britain was one of the leading nations in the Atlantic slave trade and the use of enslaved labour in its colonies in the Americas. Now, a number of institutions and individuals from the City of Wells have come together to research the history of connections between Wells, the transatlantic slave-trade and British slavery in the Caribbean.
Background
In a debate in 2006, the General Synod of the Church of England voted to issue an apology for the Church’s historic role in sustaining the slave trade. The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, told the debate that the Church ought to acknowledge its corporate and ancestral guilt. He said:
“To speak here of repentance and apology is not words alone; it is part of our witness to the Gospel, to a world that needs to hear that the past must be faced and healed and cannot be ignored … By doing so we are actually discharging our responsibility to preach good news, not simply to look backwards in awkwardness and embarrassment, but to speak of the freedom we are given to face ourselves, including the unacceptable regions of … our history.”
About the Project
In common with other churches and other institutions, the Chapter of Wells has arranged for the investigation of the Cathedral’s historic links to the slave trade and British slavery in the Caribbean.
Chapter want to understand this part of the Cathedral’s history, which is always in danger of being hidden or denied, and any legacies (financial, social, spiritual or otherwise) that still endure into its present as a consequence of this history.
Findings
British Slavery, the Caribbean, and Wells Cathedral: An Introduction
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The material presented here represents what has been discovered so far. This is not the end of the story and further research will be presented as it is possible to do so.
The research clearly indicates that Wells Cathedral has benefited from slavery-derived wealth from both the slave trade and the enslavement of people in the Caribbean. Chapter is profoundly sorry for the effects of these historic failings. Chapter will seek to scrutinise and respond to any financial, social, spiritual and other legacies from this time in order that it may do better in the present. Chapter will also look to work with individuals and organisations in the Caribbean, so that these histories may be meaningfully addressed from both sides of the Atlantic.
Wells Transatlantic Slavery working group
(left to right): Jess Witchell, Wells Cathedral Learning Manager; Paterson Joseph, Actor and Author; Susann Savidge, Somerset African Caribbean Network; Rob Mitchell, Black Families Education Support Group; Donnie Houser, former Bristol Museums Learning Officer; and David Walker, Wells & Mendip Museum.
Vicars’ Close Chapel, WElls. Inside the chapel is a memorial frieze to the college’s first principle and cathedral canon, the Revd John H Pinder (1974-1868). He had previously been a slave-owner and a chaplain to enslaved people on the Codrington estate.
Wells and Transatlantic Slavery Conference
“Histories, Legacies and Perspectives.”
Speakers from Britain and the Caribbean came together on Thursday 16 March 2023 at Cedars Hall, Wells, for a fantastic day sharing the findings of research focused on Wells and its links to transatlantic slavery.
The conference, which was co-chaired by Jess Witchell, Wells Cathedral Learning Manager and Susann Savidge, Somerset African Caribbean Network, included talks that gave a range of histories and perspectives including contributions from partners and historians from the Caribbean. The in-person event attracted 135 adults and sixth formers, representing a wide range of locations across the country and abroad.
Recordings of the talks were made and will be available online from the end of March 2023 via www.wellsandtransatlanticslavery.com
The Reverend Dr Carlton Turner, a Theologian from The Queens Foundation, Birmingham, who had previously given online Black Lives Matter talks organised by the Cathedral in 2021, made a welcome return acknowledged by Anne Gell, Acting Dean of Wells Cathedral.
The Reverend Dr Carlton Turner—a Theologian from The Queens Foundation, Birmingham, who had previously given online Black Lives Matter talks organised by the Cathedral in 2021—shared his very personal story that connects him to Wells. His talk, ‘Re-thinking African enslavement’, explained how the trauma associated with enslavement, and the race-based ideas that justified it, still affects people both sides of the Atlantic. He said the Anglican Church is implicated in this trauma, and together with others, can help with the healing process.
Anne Gell, Acting Dean of Wells Cathedral thanked all involved in the Wells and Transatlantic Slavery Project for so much work already done in opening up the subject and helping us to understand the reality of transatlantic slavery, and how its legacy is woven into the fabric of our life here in Wells.
She referred to the statement from the Chapter of Wells Cathedral:
‘The research clearly indicates that Wells Cathedral has benefited from slavery-derived wealth from both the slave trade and the enslavement of people in the Caribbean. Chapter is profoundly sorry for the effects of these historic failings and aims to scrutinise and respond to any financial, social, spiritual and other legacies from this time in order that it may do better in the present. Chapter will also look to work with individuals and organisations in the Caribbean, so that these histories may be meaningfully addressed from both sides of the Atlantic.’
Author Stephanie Mathivet explored how Wells has been impacted by the Tudway family, owners of enslaved Africans on the Parham plantations in Antigua from 1679–1944.
Joy Lawrence OH, an Antiguan historian and poet, created a 20-minute film—featured one of the project’s partners, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda—showing the Parham plantations today and explained how the legacy of slavery in Antigua continues.
The conference also marked the launch of the ‘Self-guided trail to historic sites linking the City of Wells to British slavery’. The trail includes sites such as Wells Cathedral, The Bishop’s Palace, and Wells & Mendip Museum to name a few, and highlights treasured places and items—paintings, stained-glass windows, and chandeliers—that all have connections to the enslavement of Africans. A QR code from the trail takes you to the website for further information.
Professor James Clark gave a presentation about the cathedral’s links to slavery. Two university research internships were funded though the project, held by final-year undergraduate Tommy Maddinson (now a Master’s student degree at UCL, and Master’s student Debbie Manners who also spoke at the conference.
Professor James Clark, Professor of History, Exeter University, said:
“Many historic landmarks in Wells were built or rebuilt with slavery-derived wealth from the plantations in the West Indies, but until now, these have been hidden histories and what this project has done is draw back the curtain on what some might see as challenging territory, telling this story for the first time.”
Renowned actor Paterson Joseph, author of the recent and critically-acclaimed ‘The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho’ recorded a short performance especially for the event, accompanied by pupils from Wells Cathedral School playing Sancho’s music.
The same afternoon, participants took part in a choice of workshops ranging from viewing artefacts in Wells & Mendip museum to a ‘Decolonising Movement’ dance workshop led by Cleo Lake-Ayiih, former Lord Mayor of Bristol & Research Associate, Bristol University.
Students from the Blue School went to the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace to learn how to use primary source materials to uncover hidden histories that link Wells both to slavery and the abolition movement. There was also a ‘Seeing your city in a new light?’ discussion led by the project’s mentor, Rob Mitchell, about what the city can do to remember and move forward with this history.
Poster for the Wells & Transatlantic Slavery Conference, which took place on Thursday 16 March 2023 at Cedars Hall, Wells.
The Wells and Transatlantic Slavery Conference Q&A
The Revd Dr Carlton Turner in Vicars’ Close Chapel. Revd Turner studied at Codrington Theological College in Barbados which has a strong connection to Wells Theological College (who adopted the Vicars’ Close Chapel).
(Left to Right): Susann Savidge, Somerset African Caribbean Network; Anne Gell Acting Dean of Wells Cathedral; Alastair Tighe, Head Master of Wells Cathedral School; The Revd Dr Carlton Turner, The Queens Foundation; and Simon Tudway-Quilter. They are standing in front of the copy of the ‘Charles Tudway MP’ Oil painting by Thomas Gainsborough inside Cedars House (originally built and owned by Charles Tudway, now owned by Wells Cathedral School)
Participant in ‘Decolonising Movement’, A dance and movement workshop led by Cleo Lake-Ayiih that used creative tools to start to form movements telling the story of Wells’ involvement in enslavement
Talks
Re-thinking African enslavement
Reverend Dr Carlton Turner, Anglican Contextual Theologian, The Queens Foundation
The role of Cathedral Canons and Bishops in Wells
Professor James Clark, Tommy Maddinson and Debbie Manners, Exeter University
Slavery derived wealth in Wells – where did the money go?
Stephanie Mathivet, Author
The legacy of slavery in Antigua and the reparations movement
Joy Lawrence, Antiguan Historian, Author and Poet
This will be a pre-recorded performance
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho
Paterson Joseph, Actor and Author
This will be a pre-recorded performance
Decolonising Memory
Cleo Lake-Ayiih, Former Lord Mayor of Bristol & Research Associate, Bristol University
Further Information
For further information about the city-wide Wells and Transatlantic Slavery project, please visit the project website at www.wellsandtransatlanticslavery.com