The Freedom Lots: Nineteenth-Century African-American Burial Practices in Brooklyn
THE FREEDOM LOTS Nineteenth-Century African-American Burial Practices in Brooklyn n the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this section I of the Cemetery was known as "The Colored Lots." Over 1,300 African Americans were laid to rest in the area in front of you. Today, it is known as The Freedom Lots. It is one of the largest existing burial grounds for African Americans who lived in New York City in the last two centuries. While Green-Wood's records show no evidence of an official policy specifying that these seven lots were for African Americans exclusively, it's clear that the individuals buried here were segregated in death as they were in life. By researching the people buried in The Freedom Lots, we can connect their stories to historical events and begin to understand how history is recorded, who records history, who is remembered, and whose stories were never told. The State of New York abolished slavery in 1827, and slavery was ended nationwide when the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1865. However, Black New Yorkers continued to face widespread segregation and discrimination in public places, workspaces, schools, and religious institutions. In 1849, Green-Wood offered a burial lot to The Association for the Benefit of Colored Orphans, an organization founded by Quakers, for the nominal fee of five dollars. Six additional public lots were subsequently established for "Colored Adults" and for "Colored Children" in which individual graves could be purchased directly. Because deeply rooted racism made economic prosperity almost impossible for Black New Yorkers in the nineteenth century, the Cemetery's less expensive public lots were the only option available to them. But there were exceptions. Susan Smith McKinney Steward (1847-1918), the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in New York State and Jeremiah Hamilton (1806-1875), the first Black millionaire in the country, among other African Americans, were interred here in private lots. Many questions still remain unanswered. Did Cemetery officials direct African American families to these, lots (although no records exist to confirm such a policy or practice)? Did families request graves in these lots? Through research and academic partnerships, we hope to continue learning more about this important place of commemoration and tribute. Submitted by @lampbane