Newport Gardner facts for kids

Newport Gardner (born Occramer Marycoo) was a talented musician and teacher. He was born in Africa in 1746 and brought to America as a slave. He later became a composer and helped start a movement for Black people to return to Africa. He passed away in 1826.

A Musician's Journey: Newport Gardner's Early Life

Newport Gardner was brought to the American colonies when he was about 14 years old. He was sold to a merchant named Caleb Gardner in Newport, Rhode Island. Even though he was enslaved, Newport showed a great talent for music. Caleb Gardner's wife noticed this and arranged for Newport to learn from a music teacher, probably Andrew Law.

Winning Freedom: A New Beginning

In 1791, Newport Gardner won a lottery! This amazing win gave him enough money to buy freedom for himself and his family. After gaining his freedom, Gardner rented a space in Newport, Rhode Island. There, he opened his own singing school. He taught many people how to sing and appreciate music.

Composing Music: Gardner's Creative Works

Newport Gardner was also a composer, meaning he wrote his own music. He started writing songs when he was 18. One of his songs, Crooked Shanks, might have been published as early as 1803. He also wrote a piece called the Promise Anthem. Even though the music for this anthem is now lost, the words, which are based on parts of the Bible, are still around.

Community Leader: Church and Education

Newport Gardner was an important person in the religious and educational life of Newport. He was a deacon at the First Congregational Church. He also served as the headmaster at a school especially for Black children.

Founding the First Black Church

In 1824, Gardner helped create the Colored Union Church. This was a very important step, as it became Newport's first church for Black people. The next year, he was officially made a deacon by the Congregational Church in Boston.

Helping Others: The Free African Union Society

Gardner was also a founder of the Free African Union Society in Newport. This was the first African benefit society in the United States. A benefit society is a group that helps its members, often by providing support during difficult times.

A Dream Fulfilled: Return to Africa

In January 1826, when he was 80 years old, Newport Gardner set sail from Boston. He traveled on a ship called the Vine with 31 other Africans. Their destination was Liberia, a country in Africa. Gardner had always wanted to return to his homeland.

Final Journey: A Burial in Africa

The ship successfully reached Liberia. However, many people on the journey, including Gardner, became sick with a fever. Sadly, Newport Gardner passed away within a year of arriving. He was buried in Africa, just as he had wished.