Nancy Clarke (entrepreneur) facts for kids

Nancy Clarke (died 1812) was an amazing businesswoman from Barbados. She was a hotel owner and a free woman of colour. Nancy Clarke became famous for making the Royal Naval Hotel very successful.

Her story shows how clever and resourceful Barbadian women of colour were in the 1800s. They worked hard to gain freedom from slavery for themselves and for others. This was a very important part of history.

Life and Business Success

Nancy Clarke took over the Royal Naval Hotel in 1791. She started managing it after the previous owner, Rachael Pringle Polgreen, passed away. Under Nancy's care, the hotel became one of the most popular places in Bridgetown.

The hotel was a busy spot for many important people. High-ranking officers and special guests often visited. Even the Governor of Barbados, Lord Seaforth, attended her events. Nancy Clarke was known for hosting lively parties.

Moving to London

After running the hotel for ten years, Nancy Clarke decided to move to London. She left the hotel business to Charlotte Barrow. Charlotte continued to run the hotel until 1821. Sadly, the hotel was destroyed in a fire that year.

When Nancy sold her hotel, she moved to Duke Street, St James's in London. In 1810, she did something very important. She used her freedom to help another person. She legally freed a slave named "Scipio" while living in London. This act of freeing a slave is called manumission.

Nancy Clarke's Legacy

We don't know exactly why Nancy Clarke first moved to England. She passed away in 1812. After her death, her lawyers had to prove that her property belonged to her family. They wanted to make sure the government couldn't take it.

The attorney general looked at her manumission papers. These papers showed she was a free woman. He agreed that her property should not be taken by the state. Most of her money and belongings went to her daughter, Georgiana Brown.

Nancy Clarke also made a special request in her will. She asked for her slave, "Satira," to be given to James West. He was a surgeon from Liverpool. Nancy's instructions were clear: Satira was also to be freed. This shows Nancy's continued efforts to help others gain their freedom.

Studying Her History

Nancy Clarke's life story is an important part of history. Her biography, along with other early women hoteliers of colour, is featured in a book called Historic Bridgetown.

Professor Pedro Welch, from the University of the West Indies, has also studied Nancy Clarke. He researches how enslaved and freed women used their connections. They worked with white people to help other enslaved people in Barbados become free. Her story helps us understand this important time.