Chloe Gambia (c.1760-1838):
St Peter’s Church, Aston Lane, Aston WA7 3ED
A grave on the southern side of St Peter’s churchyard in Aston marks the final resting place of four servants who worked for the Aston family. One of those, Chloe, died far from her birthplace, as attested by her given surname, Gambia.
Chloe had been born around 1760 and sold into slavery. It is believed that she was bought at a slave auction in Liverpool. The Aston family were not involved in the slave trade. Perhaps she was acquired as a playmate for the Aston children, who were of around the same age, or as a fashionable display of exotica. Church records show that she was baptised at St Peter’s in 1767. Chloe stayed with the Aston family for 70 years. She rose through the domestic service ranks to eventually become the housekeeper of Aston Hall, the most senior position for a female servant, and one of great trust. She died at Aston Hall of breast cancer in 1838 in what was thought to be her 77th year.
St Peter’s Church has produced a leaflet telling more of her story.
Inscription:
John Burroughs of Aston
Died August 29th 1772, aged 68
Also Margaret his Wife died
April 27th 1758 aged 60
Also William Hadlow who died at
Aston Hall on the 23rd April 1828
and who had for upwards of 38
years been an active and faithful
Servant in the Aston Family
Anno aetatis 64
Also Chloe Gambia a Negress who
died at Aston Hall on 12th of Sept
1838 aged 77 years or thereabouts.
She had lived in the Aston
Family 70 years
