Windham, NH – The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) in partnership with the Windham African American Committee will unveil a historic marker in Windham, on May 14, at 11:00 AM at Golden Brook School.  This first marker in Windham commemorates the lives of three men – Pompey, Jeffry, Peter Thom, and one woman, Rose.  These individuals are honored for their contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Windham community.

Last year, Shelley Walcott, a member of the committee, read an article in her local town paper that stopped her in her tracks: unmarked graves of enslaved African Americans had been discovered in a local cemetery. Ms. Walcott, a former WMUR News anchor, then reached out to the Trail about adding this location to the Black Heritage Trail of NH statewide marker project.

“It was so amazing to us when Shelley reached with this information on enslavement in Windham, as this was new history to us,” said JerriAnne Boggis the Trail’s executive director.

In 2021, as part of their statewide expansion, the Trail unveiled markers in Hancock, Warner, and a new Portsmouth marker.  Dates are already in the works for marker unveilings later this year in Milford, Exeter, Andover, Dover, and Kittery.

The 1883 History of Windham, records that the individuals being honored were buried in the Windham cemetery “in that part of the original cemetery on the hill, in the southeasterly corner, near the highway.”  A discovery by local historian Brad Dinsmore of a detailed account book owned by one of his ancestors provided a more in-depth story of the three men.

All were enslaved by John Dinsmore who, from his surviving daybook, appears to have passed on his expertise in masonry and evaluating lumber to the three men, and that Pompey was involved in repairing the meetinghouse.

The unveiling ceremony includes remarks by Shelley Walcott, Brad Dinsmore, Dwight Davis (BHTNH Board President), Pastor John Seiders (Windham Presbyterian Church), and others. There also will be a performance from the Windham Presbyterian Church Choir.

For more information call us at 603-570-8469

 

Photo of Cemetery on the Hill in Windham by Daniel Comly