Recent research has uncovered the untold stories of Black Londoners who escaped slavery in the capital, revealing a network of free communities in the East End. Utilizing Tower Hamlets archives and 18th-century runaway notices, researchers show that areas such as Stepney and Shadwell were home to significant Black populations, some of whom escaped from enslaved conditions in Britain or from slavers' ships. The findings indicate grassroots efforts against slavery in London, with comparisons drawn to the Underground Railroad in the U.S., highlighting both concealment and community support for the freedom seekers.
The evidence unearthed suggests that there was a British equivalent to the Underground Railroad, with runaway notices revealing networks of concealment for escaped individuals.
Researchers from the Communities of Liberation project reveal archival findings that highlight the historical existence of Black communities and their resistance against slavery in London.
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