George Africanus (c.1763-19 May 1834):
Church of St Mary the Virgin, High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HN
George was born in a village in Sierra Leone in around 1763. The circumstances surrounding his appearance in Wolverhampton three short years later are unknown, although is believed he was probable given as a gift to Benjamin Molineux through the family’s trading links with the West Indies. The Molineux family were a powerful and wealthy local family, who had made their money through ironmongery and finance.
George first appears in the parish baptism records on 31st March 1766, where he was given the name George John Scipio Africanus. The family began his education shortly afterwards. A painting by the Philip Reinagle shows Benjamin Molineux hunting with his dogs, and a young, smartly-dressed George behind him. Benjamin Molineux died in 1772, but the family continued with George’s education. He was later apprenticed to a brass founder in Wolverhampton, and moved to Nottingham at the completion of his apprenticeship, where the Molineux family had connections. Documents from the time have him working variously as a brass founder, labourer and waiter. He met a local woman, Esther Shaw, and they were married at St Peters on 3rd August 1788. The couple had seven children together, although only one daughter survived to adulthood.
Around 1793, the couple established the ‘Africanus Register of Servants’, an employment agency for domestic staff. For over 70 years, the family ran the agency from their home. Land deeds show George bought property and Esther also ran a millinery business from an adjoining property. Property ownership meant he was eligible to vote, a privilege only experienced by about 15% of the male population. Records for the 1826 election – the secret ballot didn’t come in until 1872 – show that he voted for John Smith Wright, an abolitionist. George didn’t neglect his civic duties either. After the Framebreaking riots of 1811 which saw Luddites sabotaging knitting machinery in the county, he joined a Watch and Ward group to protect local properties. At the time of his death in 1834, he was a wealthy and respected businessman. A number of documents have survived, including his handwritten three-page will.
His final resting place appeared to have been lost until recently. The badly eroded headstone was rediscovered in 2003 after much research, helped by the meticulous plans of the churchyard made by a local historian in 1911. The grave was restored and rededicated in 2007.
The story of George Africanus has been embraced by the local community – even a local tram has been named after him. He is frequently referenced as Britain’s first black entrepreneur.
Inscription:
In Memory of George Africanus
Who died 19 May 1834
Aged 70 years
Also Ester Africanus, wife of the above
Who died 12 May 1853?
Aged 81 years
Oh cruel death that separated here
A loving father from his daughter dear
Also a tender parent in decline of life
A loving mother and a careful wife
While in this world they did remain
Their latter Days were full of pain
