SANDY GROUND BY: RACHELLE MANGIN

SANDY GROUNDSTATEN ISLAND, NY

The oldest surviving “Free Black” community in the United States

History of Sandy Ground

Slavery was abolished in New York State on July 4th, 1827

Capt. John Jackson purchased land in Westfield-now Rossville, Staten Island

This was the first recorded purchase of a land by a black man known today as Sandy Ground

Sandy Ground is the oldest community established by free black slaves in North America

History of Sandy Ground…Sandy Ground is

located in the southern part of Staten Island, New York not far from the shipping ports

Sandy Ground Then…By 1830s, freed men and woman from all

over New York State, Maryland, Virginia, and Snow Hill, Maryland, would follow Jackson’s lead, settling on Staten Island as an oasis from persecution.

Sandy ground became the “gateway to freedom”

Sandy ground also served as an important stop on the Underground Railroad, and is the oldest continuously settled free black community in the United States

History of Sandy Ground…The freed slaves that first settled formed a

farming community, which grew as free black oyster fishermen from Maryland and Delaware settled the region.

These early settlers were skilled in the oystering trade.

Oystering harvesting was a major business on Staten Island during the 19th century and was mainly conducted on the island’s south shore

By harvesting oysters and farming, this fledging community was able to thrive and became a safe haven on the Underground Railroad

Sandy Ground Then..The oyster harvesting industry

was a major business here in the 19th century, and the oysters the men of Sandy Ground planted and raked in were sold in the finest restaurants in Manhattan and elsewhere

Sandy Ground Then…Sandy Ground was one of several

similar neighborhoods in urban centers in the Northeast where free blacks gathered to further themselves socially and economically

Homes and school were built for the young and old. The literacy rate was 60%, according to the 1860 Census. High for any area in those times

Sandy Ground Then…In the midst of this thriving community, the

Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church was formed on Dec 5th, 1850

This was a central meeting place and annual camp meetings were held at the church in those early years, with people coming from as far away as Connecticut and Virginia to celebrate living a “free life”

The first church was built of frame construction in 1854. It was destroyed by fire and replaced by the current building, which was occupied on Dec 19, 1897

Sandy Ground Then…Residents of the area were known to

have large plots of land and prided themselves on their industry and self-sufficiency. Relations with local white neighbors, though not intimate, were for the most part cordial

As the oyster beds became overworked, many people turned to well digging, iron working, blacksmithing and being midwives.

Sandy Ground Then…On a Spring day in 1963,

devastating brush fires raged across the Island on a dry spring day

Quite a number of buildings were destroyed in that one-day inferno.

And the community began to decline when oysters in New York waters became tainted, and the city closed the beds supporting Sandy Ground by 1916.

Sandy Ground Now…Ten houses remain in the area

where more than 60 once stoodSeveral historic sites were

fortunately spared: a 17th-century private school; the home of William Pedro, who died in 1988 at the age of 106; the Bishop Forge, the last private blacksmith shop in New York, and the only intact 18th -century African cemetery in America

Sandy Ground Now…As the oldest continuously

inhabited free Black settlement in the Unites States, Sandy Ground is a place of great historical significance.

Today, Sandy Ground is home to the families that are descendants of original settlers

Sandy Ground Now…The Rossville A.M.E Zion Church still

plays a prominent role in the life of this part of Staten Island

Many families still live in the community that was founded by their courageous ancestors

The rich history of Sandy Ground has been documented and preserved through the efforts of the Sandy Ground Historical Society

Sandy Ground Now…Descendants of the original settlers still live

on Staten Island, and Sandy Ground Historical Society runs a museum and library that examines the life and history of the freed Blacks who settled in the area prior to the Civil War

The Sandy Ground Historical Society maintains the largest documentary collection of African-American culture and history on Staten Island and the museum also serves as an educational research facility charted by the state Department of Education

Sandy Ground Now…The Society’s Museum and library are

dedicated to researching, preserving, and informing visitors about this historically important Staten Island Community.

The museum preserves material related to the historic town, as well as letters, photographs, film, art, rare books, quilts and other archaeological artifacts.

Highlights include a rare surviving can of Tettersalve, a beauty product manufactured by legendary Harlem businesswoman Madame C. J. Walker, and a letter from W. E. B. DuBois.

Sandy Ground Now…The museum educates and inspires the

public with exhibitions, photographs, and art documenting the history of Sandy Ground and African Americans

Sandy Grounds Historical Society museum has sponsored arts and craft sessions, a music heritage series, a lectures series presented in Island schools and churches, and a traveling lecture sessions to institutions around the country

Sandy Ground Now…A visit to Sandy Ground

guarantees a lesson in our Nation’s history

Many families still live in the community that was founded by their courageous ancestors

Some descendants of Sandy Ground’s Bishop family migrated to the south and currently live in Raleigh, NC since 1999

Sandy Ground Now…For further information and

assistance on Sandy Ground, the oldest surviving “Free Black” community in the United States

Please Contact: The Sandy Ground Historical

Society, Inc. 1538 Woodrow Road Staten Island, New York 10309 (718) 317-5796

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

SANDY GROUND PICTURE GALLERYPictures of Sandy Ground’s Landscape

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Sandy Grounds Landscape

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

The Landmark Preservation Commission of New York City granted protective status to two ‘baymen’s cottages” at Sandy Ground on Staten Island

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hicks of Sandy Ground, circa 1900

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Robert McKinney, Jeffrey Moody, Catherine McKinney, Denise Pedro and Warren Landin, from left, play in Sandy Ground on March 31, 1967. The community was founded in Rossville around 1830.

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

A 1800s couple from Sandy Ground

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Built before 1859, the Coleman House is a vernacular frame structure that has just been granted landmark status by the city

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

1897 Rossville AME Zion Church

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

The “only” intact 18th -century African cemetery in America

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Picture of outside the Sandy Ground Historical Museum

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Inside the Sandy Ground Historical Museum

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

Quilts are among the historical items on display at the Sand Ground museum and library

Sandy Ground Picture Gallery

One of the exhibits inside the Sandy Ground Historical Museum

References "Black History Lives at Sandy Ground". Staten Island Advance. 2005-04-24. Stephanie Reitz (2009-11-23). "Group tries to preserve 2 historic Conn. homes"

. Associated Press (Boston Globe). http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2009/11/23/homes_built_in_conn_by_free_blacks_in_jeopardy/. Retrieved 2010-08-02.

"Sandy Ground Historical Museum". Office of the Staten Island Borough President. http://www.statenislandusa.com/pages/sandy_ground.html. Retrieved 2009-08-22.

"National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.

Biddle, William T. “A.M.E. Zion Church” in History of Methodism and the Methodist Churches of Staten Island, ed. A. Y. Hubbell (New York: Richmond Publishing Company, 1898), p149

Ferreri, James G. (2005-02-28). "On Sacred Ground". Staten Island Advance. http://www.silive.com/homegarden/interiordesign/index.ssf/2008/02/on_sacred_ground.html. Retrieved 2009-08-22.

Sandy Ground, Staten Island. (2011, June 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:42, January 2, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sandy_Ground,_Staten_Island&oldid=433079300