Black history unveiled in Windham

May 19—WINDHAM — A group of four buried in a local cemetery with no names engraved on headstones will be honored with a new historical marker.

The town's African American Committee, along with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and many supporters, unveiled a new historic plaque May 14 to commemorate the lives of three men — Pompey, Jeffry, Peter Thomas — and one woman, Rose, all honored for the growth and prosperity of the Windham community.

The process to get to this point got its start when Shelley Walcott, a member of the Windham committee, read an article about unmarked graves of enslaved African Americans being discovered in the local cemetery.

That discovery was due to extensive research done by local historian Brad Dinsmore, who wrote extensively about those buried in the local cemetery and their stories and contributions to the community.

The 1883 "History of Windham" chronicled that the individuals honored at the ceremony were buried in the cemetery "in that part of the original cemetery on the hill, in the southeasterly corner, near the highway."

Dinsmore then discovered an account book owned by one of his own ancestors that provided more information, mostly of the three men.

According to Dinsmore's research, all were enslaved by John Dinsmore and learned all about masonry and lumber. Pompey was also involved in repairing the meetinghouse.

And there were darker images of life uncovered as well, Dinsmore said at the ceremony.

Dinsmore said the new marker will tell their stories and will be a permanent reminder of their names and their roles in shaping Windham's history.

And there could be others besides the four noted on the plaque that may lie on the hill in the cemetery.

For Walcott, getting to this point was a community effort along with support from the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.

"In all honesty, as one of the few African Americans living in our town, I had wondered about the history of Blacks in Windham," she said at the ceremony.

Walcott said there were many who contributed to the early town of Windham, adding that having people buried in unmarked graves was "a moral travesty."

"This is literally a grave injustice," Walcott said, "but one our town is going to rectify today."

She added that once she knew about Dinsmore's research, it was fitting to find a way to honor those who are buried in the cemetery and others who contributed to the community.

The plaque unveiled Saturday will eventually find a permanent place atop a granite monument at the cemetery.

The new plaque to be placed at the cemetery reads that Pompey and Jeffry, both skilled artisans, were hired out by their enslaver to clear land for Windham's early farms.

"Pompey was also hired out to work on the old town meeting house located in this cemetery. They and other enslaved men and women helped to build the town of Windham," the plaque reads.

And Jeffry was known to listen to local church services while sitting outside the building.

For Pastor John Seiders of the Windham Presbyterian Church, knowing information like this makes the history of the church richer.

"We need to honor those who have not been honored," Seiders said. "We can make a statement to honor them today."

Walcott said making the discoveries and now paying tribute is a way to make sure the past is appreciated and honored.

"This marker and headstone will let everyone forevermore know that these Black lives in Windham did matter," she said.