Chloe Spear facts for kids

Chloe Spear (born around 1749, died 1815) was an African woman who lived in Boston. She was first a slave, then a free woman. Her life story was written in a book called a memoir. The book was published without the author's name, but it said "Lady of Boston" wrote it. This memoir tells us about Chloe Spear's journey and her strong religious beliefs. It also shares thoughts on slavery and Christian teachings.

Chloe Spear's Life Story

Early Life and Enslavement

Chloe Spear was born in Africa around 1749. She was brought to America and became enslaved when she was about 12 years old. She likely arrived in Philadelphia in 1761.

Later, Chloe was bought by Captain John Bradford's family in Boston. They were a well-known family. Even though she was enslaved, Chloe was allowed to do many household tasks. Her mistress valued her skills. She even asked Chloe to help care for a sick neighbor.

Learning to Read and Freedom

Chloe's master was thankful for her work. But he did not want her to learn to read. When he found her trying to read, he threatened to punish her severely. Still, Chloe kept trying to learn.

After the American Revolutionary War, slavery was ended in Massachusetts in 1783. Chloe Spear became a free woman. She married a man named Cesar Spear. They were married at the Second Baptist Church in Boston.

Family and Community Work

Chloe and Cesar Spear had seven children together. Sadly, Chloe outlived all of them. After they became free, Chloe and Cesar opened a boarding house. This was a place where sailors and workers could stay.

After Cesar passed away, Chloe continued to run the boarding house. It also became a place for religious meetings. People of all races gathered there. Chloe became a much-loved person in both white and black religious groups. She was also respected in the working communities.

Later Years and Legacy

Chloe Spear died in 1815 from severe arthritis. She was buried in the Bradford family's burial place in Boston. Her death was reported in five different Boston newspapers.

A minister wrote a biography about her life. It was published in a Baptist missionary magazine. The first full account of her life was the Memoir of Mrs. Chloe Spear. It was written by Dr. Thomas Baldwin in 1832. He was a minister at the Second Baptist Church.

About Chloe Spear's Memoir

What is the Memoir?

The Memoir of Mrs. Chloe Spear is a book about Chloe's life. It starts by saying that Chloe had been dead for over seventeen years when the book was written. The author of the Memoir did not use her real name. She called herself "A Lady of Boston" or "A Member of the Second Baptist Church in Boston."

This author was a white woman. She was also a member of the same church as Chloe. The Memoir shows how religious and hardworking Chloe was. It also tells about the difficulties Chloe faced. This included being threatened for trying to learn to read. However, the Memoir does not talk much about Chloe's connections with other Black people.

Chloe Spear's Will

What Her Will Shows

Chloe Spear's will is a legal document. It shows what she wanted to happen to her property after she died. She signed her will with an "X," as she was not allowed to learn to write.

Her will confirms many details from the Memoir. It shows her religious activities and how she gained property. Chloe left $500 to her grandson. He lived in Salem at the time.

Her Generosity and Possessions

Chloe also gave clothes, linen, and money to six women. Most of these women were Black and attended the Second Baptist Church. She also gave $50 each to two men of color. One was named Cesar Fletcher, named after her late husband. The other was Primus Grounds.

Historians have studied Chloe's will. They compared it to other wills from her time. They found that Chloe had gathered a lot of property. This was amazing because she had been enslaved for thirty years. Her belongings included everyday household items. She also had tools for washing clothes. She even owned some fancy items. These included an "Ebony Tea Table" and "2 Small Looking Glasses." She also had $625 in "Notes of Hand," which were like IOUs. This shows she was careful with her money. But she also allowed herself some nice things for her home.