A Timeline of the African Presence in Springfield, MA [Scratch document build]
MAAFA/ENSLAVEMENT PERIOD
1636
William Pynchon, a Puritan from Roxbury, comes to Springfield because land is more fertile and economically lucrative. Springfield is annexation to Massachusetts Colony rather than Connecticut because a more friendly relationship exists towards indigenous population. Also Springfield is in close proximity to Connecticut River with access to water routes toward Boston and Albany, NY, as well as points north.
1640
Springfield passes law that laborers shall be paid and, in summer, up to 10 hours/day.
1641
The Body of Liberties Law forbade “bond slavery” in Massachusetts except for captives of “just wars.” It accorded certain legal rights to servants in a system of contract slavery. Pynchon is in contact with slaveholding planters in the Caribbean who are codifying the status of African servants into a chattel slavery system.
1659
Peter Swink, first known African in Springfield, works for John Pynchon. Records indicate he was indentured for eight years and thereafter was a free man. He held a seat in town meeting and may have been the first non-white settler to own land in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay — source. See also:
Slavery present in early area settlements (February 1, 2005), by JOSEPH CARVALHO III.
1664
Massachusetts moved to obtain enslaved Africans directly from Africa.
1680s
“Jack”, an enslaved refugee from Wethersfield, CT, who escapes to Springfield, Mass. He claims his master beat him, sometimes 100 blows. He is imprisoned, and one year later, the record shows, he remains imprisoned.
John Pynchon’s female slave becomes pregnant. She accuses an Englishman Cornish.
“Rocco” seen with white woman; he testifies that she tempted him.
1687
Marriage of Rocco and Sue, Pynchon’s black indentured servants.
1693
A law is passed making it illegal to sell liquor to black (and Indians) which alludes to a certain code of behavior for blacks.
1705
Law passed which prohibits marriage/sex between black men and white women.
EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD
ANTEBELLUM & CIVIL WAR PERIOD
Early 1800s
Commonwealth became a center of industry, with the development of precision manufacturing and weaponry in Springfield. The Springfield Armory made the weaponry for the Union in the American Civil War.
1808
Congress bans the importation of slaves from Africa
1844
African American abolitionists had founded the Sanford Street “Free Church” – now known as St. John’s Congregational Church – which went on to become on the US most prominent platforms for abolitionist speeches. (1st pastor was Rev. Leonard Collins)
1846
Frederick Douglass launches his abolitionist newspaper
1846-1850
John Brown was a parishioner at the Free Church, where he witnessed abolitionist lectures by Fredrick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. Brown became deeply involved in transforming the city into a major center of abolitionism, and one of the safest and most significant stops on the Underground Railroad.
RECONSTRUCTION & NADIR (1ST GREAT MIGRATION) PERIOD
1907
The oldest fraternal order is the Sumner Lodge #5 of Free and Accepted Masons
1908
Dr. William B. Jones opened his dental practice. He invented the saliva pump
1912
Howard Drew was a member of the 1912 U.S. Team and qualified for the 100 meter run.
1915
William Hughes died. He imported black domestic help from Virginia to Springfield gaining much support from whites. He was one of the founders of the Third Baptist Church. Activists in Springfield establish a branch of the NAACP.
1919
The Mount Calvary Baptist Church was organized in West Springfield on May 16.
1923
The Fresh Air Fund was founded which allowed for underprivileged boys and girls from the city to spend time in the country.
1925
The American Legion formed by George Frazier. The Springfield Tennis Club joined the New England Tennis Association, which held its first annual Tennis Tournament. Kathryn Jones won the National Tennis Association women’s single title.
MASS SOCIAL MOVEMENT (2ND GREAT MIGRATION) PERIOD
1938
Bethel Church suffered a fire resulting in the whole building being destroyed but was later restored in that year.
1940
The Negro Business and Professionals Women’s Club was initiated by Mrs. Florence H. Laws in the 1940s.
1941
Alexander Hughes was awarded the Order of William Pynchon Medal on March 25.
1943
Reverend Silas L. Dupree of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church died in May and Rev. Gordon C. Oneal Jr. arrived in June 1974.
1950
The Dunbar League officially became a part of the Urban League of Springfield in 1950. The Dunbar League was organized as a social security department.
LATE CAPITALISM/HIP HOP PERIOD